SxS question

Luke Berkey

Luke Berkey

Well-known member
My Dad gave me this gun today.

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I was dropping off his Charles Daily SxS that I had borrowed and commented on how I was going to look for an old double to buy before next season. He then ran up to his room and brought this down for me to have. I did a little research online today and found most of the basic history I was interested in but I'm having trouble figuring out the age. I found some reference to circled letters and how they correspond to the date the gun was manufactured. But this gun has a few letters stamped into it. It has an A and a D that are circled then an OY that are not circled. The same letters are stamped into the bottom of the barrels. Also you can see an E stamped perpendicular to the other letters. There is also a small cross hair looking stamp on the bottom of the receiver.

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My other questions about his gun are 1, would it be ok to shoot regular steel or should I look into getting some of the heavy shot type loads designed for older guns, and question 2, you can see in the next pic that the right barrel has a small indent in the upper right quarter, from about 1 o'clock to 3 o'clock, the way it sits in the pic. What, if anything, can be done about that. Thanks, Luke

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I cant give you any info about the gun . However if you have any doubt about the gun particularly the dent I'd sugest you get in touch with Les Hovencamp in Ithica NY. Les was the chief Gunsmith for Ithica Arms before the sut down. He is an expert when it comes to SxS.
 
It looks like an early Stevens 311 but I'm no SxS expert. I'm usually pretty pro steel shot (within reason) in older guns but I'd be a little cautious if the rest of the barrels don't look better then the last little bit we can see in the picture. The dent doesn't look that bad and I'd think it would be pretty easy for a gunsmith to fix if you wanted it done. I would be more concerned with any pits in the barrels, especially near the chambers. If you can get them shiny, or close to it, it probably can be shot but I'd go with lower pressure non tox loads. I've seen many 311s and 5100s in better condition then that. At least what I can tell from the pictures.

If you look up Mike Orlen on the shotgun world forums he might be able to fix that dent. http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=36237 I've never had him work on anything but have read a lot of good things about his work and he is cheaper even with shipping then anyone I can find locally.

I'll bet it is Mod and Full choked and on those old guns that is like Full and Extra Full in todays guns. You might want them opened a bit and even then don't shoot large steel shot in it.

Tim
 
I can't help you on proof marks, but a quick look in my book lists the maker and sears affliation as post 1915. The gun was made by meridian arms and is esstentially the same as a stevens 311 as Tim suggested. It is not a gun I would shoot any modern off the shelf loads, lead or steel. I would take the gun in to a reputable SxS gunsmith and have them go over it. You can have the dent taken out if you wish, but where its located it will only effect the pattern a bit. Get it cleaned up and I would also look at RST shotshells for their low pressure loads, both lead and non-tox if the gunsmith gives the ok to shoot it.
 
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I would say the same as the other guys. I would give it a really good clean and take it to a gun smith for a proper look or even a proofing. The barrels do look a bit rough, its not worth the risk of loosing a finger or eye. A great present from though anything that comes from family and is free is worth a little investment in my book.

Let us know what you find out and what happened.
 
What an awesome thing to have given to you. Even if you just hang it over the mantle.

I 100% agree with the folks on the forum .. get it to a smith and have them check it over for soundness before you blast anything with it.

Definitely no steel, and not hevi shit or tungsten. you will want to run lead or bismuth in it.

really a neat old sxs.
 
Ditto on others have said. No Hevi shot that is steel, lead or Bismuth but have a gunsmith check it over. You dont want that thing blowing up in your face. Great present!
 
I do shoot steel and modern loads in most of my old SxS's if choked correctly. But this particular gun is not of the build quality of Smiths, Foxes or Parkers. Which is why I recomended low pressure loads from someone like RST, not just "no steel".
 
Are the bores all the way down the barrel as rough as what the photo shows at the end? If so, I wouldn't try steel. If bores look smooth then I would take it to a competent gunsmith for a look over and if he says it checks out ok then have the chokes opened up and shoot away. The barrels look to be of good thickness. Does it lock up tight with no wiggle or rattle?
 
Thanks for all the replys and info guys. Suprisingly the gun locks up real tight and the inside of the barrels are spotless. Don't worry I will not be shooting this gun before it is looked at by a gunsmith. This is not a gun I plan to hunt with regularly. Just wanted some input from those of you of know more then me about these oldies. I don't want to put a bunch of money into it but would like to know I can safley shoot it ever once in a while. Thanks again. I'll keep you all posted if I end up doing anything with it. Luke
 
Luke,
my shooting partner owns the sister to that made by Stevens.
We call it the cloud duster.
It has some tight chokes. It was his grandfathers, father in laws, gun. A lot of history in those old doubles.
A good gunsmith can fix the dent. I would look into a lower pressure softer pellet, non tox load if you can find it or reload it.
(I have seen a lot of steel go down those barrels but there is not a good yes/no way to test it.)
A few boxes a year will keep the memories alive for the future owners and you.
Tom Armburst has done a lot of work on nontox low pressure loads. I would email him.
http://www.armbrust.acf2.org/

Bob
 
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