Riverside Arms 315 16ga SxS

[UncleMark]

I am looking for any additional information about this shotgun I can find.

It is in very good condition, and works perfectly. It has been machined for 3" shells, even though I only shoot 2 3/4" shells with it. I understand the machining has to be a 1/4" longer than the shells, 3 1/4". Unfortunately, the barrels have been cut down to 19 1/2" It is all original otherwise, with no damage other than normal wear for being, my guess around 90 years old.

The gun has Riverside Arms-------Mass on the left and the April 4 1915 patent on the right. It has a 4 digit serial number, 84xx in three locations.

I am wondering if anyone can give a a manufacturing year range closer than what I already know,

and, what is a rough value,

and, can I exchange a 410, 20 or 12 gauge barrel for the 16 it has?

I know that J Stevens Arms acquired Riverside Arms around 1900, and after WWI, around 1920, Savage Arms corp bought them out.

I also know this gun originally was offered in 12 and 16 gauges, and the 20-gauge and .410-bore were added to the No. 315 in the 1925 J. Stevens Arms Co. catalog No. 56.

I am guessing the serial numbers started when Savage took over, 1920, for inventory control, so I am guessing the gun was made around 1921-1923.

[Hawg]

Originally Posted by UncleMark

I am wondering if anyone can give a a manufacturing year range closer than what I already know,

No.

Originally Posted by UncleMark

and, what is a rough value,

With the barrels cut down I doubt you'd get much over 100 for it. Unless it was NIB I don't see one going for more than 300 in excellent shape.

Originally Posted by UncleMark

and, can I exchange a 410, 20 or 12 gauge barrel for the 16 it has?

Maybe on the 12 and that's a strong maybe. I doubt you'd find barrels for it tho. I've got a 315 and several Stevens and they will not interchange, not even close.

[BillM]

You have most of the info. Stevens started using Riverside in 1914.
Little confused on your chamber. No such thing as 3" 16 ga.

The usual mod is to lengthen the chamber of 2 9/16" guns to take 2 3/4"
ammo.

Value? It's cut down and in a unpopular chambering. Maybe $75

[RJay]

Most doubles use two frame sizes, one for the lighter gauges such as the 20. 410 and 28, the larger heavier frame/receiver for the heavier gauges such as the 12, 16 and the 10. I know of no reason for Stevens to be different in this regards. You could change from the 16 to the 12 { if it is even possible to find a 12 gauge set of barrels for your shotgun } but cannot use a let of lighter barrels meant for a smaller frame on your larger frame. It may be possible to find a set of 20 gauge inserts, but other wise you are pretty well at ground zero.

[UncleMark]

16 gauge 3 inch shotshells are commonly found in Winchester & Western catalogues from 1896 to 1934

In the US, 16 ga 3" shells were indeed offered by Winchester, U.S. Cartridge Co. and Peters, if not more, and that is reflected in their catalogs. Examples of extremely long shells in other gauges have been identified too. Roundsworth and Stadt have identified guns chambered for the 3" 16 (an L.C. Smith and Winchester 21) but they are certainly not commonly found in the United States.

I was told the 3" chambering may have been factory, but my grandad says someone would have had that done second hand way back when in the 20's for duck & turkey hunting.

Is there any information available anywhere as to when Riverside Arms started using serial numbers?

Also, does this outfit still exist?
J. Stevens Arms Company
Older Stevens Historical Research
C/O Mr. John Callahan
53 Old Quarry Road
Westfield, MA 01085
There is a $20.00 research fee per gun.

[Hawg]

Originally Posted by UncleMark

16 gauge 3 inch shotshells are commonly found in Winchester & Western catalogues from 1896 to 1934

In the US, 16 ga 3" shells were indeed offered by Winchester, U.S. Cartridge Co. and Peters, if not more, and that is reflected in their catalogs. Examples of extremely long shells in other gauges have been identified too. Roundsworth and Stadt have identified guns chambered for the 3" 16 (an L.C. Smith and Winchester 21) but they are certainly not commonly found in the United States.

I was told the 3" chambering may have been factory, but my grandad says someone would have had that done second hand way back when in the 20's for duck & turkey hunting.

Is there any information available anywhere as to when Riverside Arms started using serial numbers?

Also, does this outfit still exist?
J. Stevens Arms Company
Older Stevens Historical Research
C/O Mr. John Callahan
53 Old Quarry Road
Westfield, MA 01085
There is a $20.00 research fee per gun.

You can bet your butt no Riverside/Stevens was originally chambered for 3 inch 16 gauge. You do know shotgun shells are measured fired so a three inch loaded shell will fit a 2 3/4 chamber? No serial number records at all to my knowledge.