So i have an old shotgun....

[HodgeStyle]

I have a Stevens model #311A. I was wondering if anybody has any information on these shotguns as it is way older then i am. I am thinking of putting it up for sale as i have no use for a 16 gauge shotgun. So any information at all is helpful as i do not know the price i should even ask for it. Ill post pics when i get home from work tomorrow. It is in good shape and does function properly. I did want to add that it does not have any serial #'s...so how do i even date the shotgun without any information. It has the letter A inside a circle just inside where it holds open on the reciever.

 

[Mgderf]

Remove the forearm and look again for a serial number.
A lot of older shotguns have their markings hidden from plain view. Not sure why, but I've seen it before.

Is this a bolt-action?
16 gauge has a lot of following in the right circles.

Nope. Found a reference to it here.
Savage started making the 311 in 1939 from this report.

www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savage_Arms

Mentioned at the end of the first paragraph.

 

[Hookeye]

Pre '68 not everybody did serial #s.
May have a date code of some type.

 

[Hookeye]

Found this......

https://gundigest.com/more/classic-guns/sqa-stevens-letter-prefix-serial-numbers

 

[AMMO USER]

I think the A in the circle is the date code on that double.I have seen it on the web. I have a 12 ga with the A in a circle, it has a tennite stock on it.

 

[HodgeStyle]

Not a bolt action. Its a side by side. I only seen some letters under the loading area on the reciever. Ill post pictures soon to show what im seeing.

 

[red_zr24x4]

I have a Savage B which is about the same model. The A in the circle is the date code, i dont remember exactly but I want to say 1968

 

[cb46184]

I don't know much about the history of the 311 but I have owned one in the past. I'm a 16 ga nut so I'll keep a watch and be interested if you do decide to put up for sale.

 

[1775usmarine]

I've got a 20 and 16 double pre 311's from my great grandfather on my dad's side. From my research based on features mine were made in the early 30's. Mine are family heirlooms so they will be passed down. I have taken the 20 out for some clays and did pretty good for an old work horse.

 

[senork]

From what I have read, Stevens began putting the manufacture date behind the hinge pin pivot or ahead of the trigger guard on their 311 double barrel shotguns. They began in 1949 with the letter A and ended in X in 1970. They did not use the letters O and Q. So, with A = 1949 you can look at the letter within the circle and count forward from 1949 excluding the letters O and Q to determine the year it was manufactured. Check on Gunbroker for similiar shotguns in equal condition to give you an idea of its value. Most I have seen have been in the $250-$350 range. They were really solidly built and a real workhorse of a gun.