looking for information on my side by side shotgun

[mg357]

Dear Smith & Wesson Forum, I recently bought a nice side by side 20 gauge shotgun at a yard sale and i need a little help finding out when it was made on the barrels its marked. Barrel proof tested 20 Gauge 2 3/4 inch chamber selected forged steel. on the forearms its marked 20 VA J j and on the left side of the gun stock its marked Stevens Model 311 Savage Arms corporation Chicopee Falls MASS. U.S.A on the right side of the stock its marked with the number 5100 and on the inside of the stock its marked V J A J b c any and all help on this matter would be greatly appreciated sincerely and respectfully mg357 proud member of the Smith and Wesson Forum.

 

[ronnie gore]

311

TRY GOOGLING THE 311, I KNOW IF THERE IS NO SER. NUMBER IT WAS MADE BEFORE 1968.

 

[Big Lou]

I found this info on another forum.

The fact that it has no serial # indicates that it was made before 1968, when the Gun Control Act of 1968 required that all firearms have serial #s.

The model 311 started as the Springfield 5000 around 1920 with model designation changing to 5100 in 1931. Around 1940 it became the Stevens model 311. It was discontinued in 1989.

If it was manufactured between 1949 and 1968 there should be a small circle with a number and letter stamped between the trigger and the hinge pin. The letter reflects the year of manufacture.

A to N = 1949 - 1961
P = 1963
R to V = 1964 - 1968