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I ran across a Stevens model 77 (12 ga.), I know, today at a yard sale. For fifty dollars, I bought it. It's not in great shape, but seems to function fine.

The thing is, I don't know anything about the gun. Can anyone help with any history, manufacture dates, etc.

Thanks.

Milton

Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 109 Location: S.W.PENNSYLVANIA

I own a Stevens/Savage model 77H 12ga 3" 30" barrel full choke pump shotgun that I brought from my brother the gun came out of West Virginia. I had the birch wood stock & forend stripped & redone by my gunsnith who also threaded the barrel & installed choke tubes. I sent a letter to Savage & also to Stevens with the model & serial no. asking for information, a manual & the date of mfg. I received a reply stating they did not have old records that went back into the 1940's & they could not help me. I would say my 77H is in 90% or better condition it has killed lots of squirrel & a few wild turkey in PA. Sorry I cannot be of more help I also would like to know when my model 77H was made. I am not sure if Savage bought Stevens or it's the other way around. If any post has more information please feel free to respond.

RON

Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 972 Location: Keller,TX

Being a Stevens shooter myself, It makes me glad to hear that these firearms are being appreciated to this day! Hopefully,I can negotiate a deal for a Riverside / Stevens 215 hammer gun in 16 I recently discovered. They are certainly not "Best Guns" under the current definition, but they are the best at getting game and breaking clays!

Member Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 972 Location: Keller,TX

Savage bought Stevens in 1920. Riverside was purchased by Stevens prior to that date.The Riverside name was used by Stevens and Savage according to information I found on several forums.You can even get a reproduction catalog that describes the various models and even illustrates the guns.I'm sorry I don't have the information to that link nearby.I'll try to find it and post it on this thread later.

http://www.cornellpubs.com/

If anybody's got a repro catalog it's Abby Very Happy

!

Joined: 19 Dec 2007 Posts: 109 Location: S.W.PENNSYLVANIA

mdm1: I have ordered a book for my Savage/Stevens model 77H from WWW.CORNELLPUBS.COM price of manual is $14.95 plus $2.99 s&h. Their address is Cornell Publications P O Box 214 Brighton MI 48116. You can order on line also. Hope this will help you.

RON

Thanks, Ron. I called myself looking there and did not see it. Guess I'll go back and look again.

I realized the day after I bought it, mine was missing the right extractor and the slide lock release spring was broken. I know, it should have hit me in the face. I don't go to many yard sales and I never see any firearms when I do. I just jumped at the chance before anyone else beat me to it.

I ordered the parts last night.

Look for the date code, a very small oval containing a letter and a number.
The letter indicated the year of mfg.
If yours has a serial number, it may not have a date code stamp.
Look on the barrel and in front of the loading gate.

On the barrel, and in an oval, I have an SP. Also on the barrel and in an oval is possibly a U1. It's hard to tell as the bottom half is worn off. There is also a * but no oval. That's all I can see on the barrel or receiver.

Thanks for the help.

U=1967