Should I use this shotgun?

F

Fella

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Hey guys I inherited a J.Stevens and Sons sxs 12 ga, belonged to my great grandpa and my internet search says it’s close to 100 years old. The triggers and hammers are all functional, the stock has 0 cracks and no cracks in the barrel that I can tell. My dad had a gunsmith clean it up 25 years ago and he said it was in good condition, my uncle borrowed it to shoot clays 20 years ago. Aside from that it was sitting under my dads dresser since then.

1. Does anyone have any knowledge of these shotguns and can tell me more about it
2. Think it’s safe to shoot? I’d love to take it out to shoot grouse but don’t want to wreck it
 
Does it have 2 3/4" chambers? I have a near 100 year old Parker I use from time to time but in deference to its age and sentimental value I use either low pressure handloads or 2.5" low pressure shells in it. It could handle heavier loads I'm sure but why stress out the old girl? Just my 2 cents.
 
should be ok as long as it is not loose off face and check the chambers they could be 2 1/2 instead of 2 3/4. if that checks out common birdshot wouldn't do much harm id stay away from high pressure stuff. if you are not comfortable shooting modern ammo in it you could always load black powder shells
 
hunter5425 said:
Does it have 2 3/4" chambers? I have a near 100 year old Parker I use from time to time but in deference to its age and sentimental value I use either low pressure handloads or 2.5" low pressure shells in it. It could handle heavier loads I'm sure but why stress out the old girl? Just my 2 cents.
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That I don’t know, there are 0 markings aside from the serial number and the manufacturers name
 
Check the flats and water table on the barrel , there's usually some info on chambers and chokes there. Don't go by whether a 2 3/4" shell will chamber as this does not mean its a 2 3/4" gun.
 
Does that include under the fore stock, or in the hinge?

I have had a number of sxs’s that had minimal visible markings, but plenty hidden. Either on the under side of the barrel under the fore stock, or on the actual hinge’s themselves. You had to pop the barrels off to see them all.
 
I've seen markings of proof and chamber length on the bottom of the barrel "flats" and the flat part of the action behind the hinge pin( the water table). You must remove the barrels to see them, but on most sxs this is easy. If the OP posts a clear picture of these areas then the advice could be more definite.
 
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