My first shotgun was a 20 gauge 311, Christmas gift in mid 1950's, that was used for everything. Its now in the possession of my oldest grandson and is still going strong plus it still looks great 70 years later. Not bad for a "cheap gun".

My first side by side was a 1954 20 ga model B and i vividly remember the first double i made on bobwhites behind my house. Great guns! Bobby

My first double was a 311 20 gauge. Xmas present in 1959...26"..M/IC..In a fit of ????.I had Dennis Smith restock it with XXX wood..and converted to straight grip..Blue and case color are original.Still have the hang tag...$68.50..

My late father-in-law liked my doubles and said he's like to have one - a 12 gauge and not too expensive. I found him a Model B at a gun show: c. 1960, case colored frame, walnut wood, double triggers, vent rib. great condition. He never got to shoot it much but I did get to see him dust a few clays with it; one of the things he liked was that it "had some weight to it." You don't hear that statement often in double gun circles! When he passed my mother-in-law gave it to me; later I decided she needed the money more than I needed the gun so I sold it - one of the few guns I've ever sold and the only one I regret selling.

https://i.imgur.com/CRohmVvl.jpg

As for those Stevens guns marked 5100 I have three - a 16, a 20 and a .410. They were the first sxs's I acquired and they've done me right proud, and I'm not sure I don't shoot them better than any of 'em.

They’re solid, robust guns for sure. The model B alongside a GH 0 frame. Both 16 ga., 28”. The B is 6 oz heavier and not as nicely finished or as well-balanced as the Parker. Brian Dudley restocked the GH.

I have an old Stevens side by side 410 that has second stamped on the side of frame i believe.I need to pull it out and check it over to be sure of location. Bobby

Its nice to see these economy guns get the love they deserve. A Parker, Fox or LC Smith may feel great when shouldered, but many of these cheaper guns have a unique nostalgic factor, in the sense that they are what many started off with.

It is also worth noting that if any of these "cheap" guns were built in the USA today they would cost over $1000 easily. The short-lived Ruger Gold Label is a reminder of why American manufacturers don't bother with mass market doubles.

The 5000 and 5100 are action types, introduced in 1936, and used on a number of different J. Stevens No.s/Models. The 5000 had the old two-piece top-lever and spindle of the old G.S. Lewis design J. Stevens guns while the 5100 had the one-piece top-lever and spindle.

Just to be really confusing, the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co. and the J. Stevens Arms Co. catalogs give the various firearms numbers (No. xxx). Half the time those numbers don't appear on the guns themselves and when they do, they are often prefaced with "Model."

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Then, there is the Montgomery Ward Westernfield New Model, like my 12 ga. 32" barreled model, that has internals very, very close to those in a Model B.

Snapped this pic before it went in an ultrasonic bath Friday.

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/70256_800x600.jpg

https://www.jpgbox.com/jpg/70257_800x600.jpg

On the other end of the Stevens doubles was the Model 385. Made in the teens or a bit later, it had Krupp barrels.

[IMG]https://i.imgur.com/4K5mTIR.jpg[/IMG]

https://i.imgur.com/MeTe3hq.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/h88GCKY.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/eJs4rRG.jpg