Savage/Stevens/Fox Model B: Undervalued classics?

[Phil Yearout]

16ga, marked Springfield, J. Stevens Arms Company, Chicopee Falls, Mass USA and stamped 5100 on other side. Barrels are stamped Selected Forged Steel and Proof Tested 16ga, 2-3/4" chamber...



20ga, marked Ranger 101.6 and stamped 5100 on other side; same barrel stampings...



.410 actually marked STEVENS with the bird dog, J. Stevens Arms Co. etc. and 5100 on other side, same barrel stampings (3" chambers)...



Daryl I've seen that awesome Stevens several times before and always loved it; is it yours?

[charlie cleveland]

very nice....charlie

[Researcher]

Originally Posted by Stan Hillis

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.

That is the old G.S. Lewis design that was first introduced in the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Co.'s lower priced line as the Riverside Arms Co. No. 315 in their General Catalog No. 54.

Catalog No. 54 Riverside Arms No. 315.jpeg

It was based on G. S. Lewis' Patent No. 1,136,247 granted Apr. 20, 1915, a date stamped on many of them. It uses coil spring driven strikers. The J. Stevens 5000/5100 action, the internal parts of which were used in the Fox Modl B, has internal hammers which rotate about an axle. After The Great War, J. Stevens Arms Co. introduced a slightly nicer version of the gun called the J. Stevens No. 330.

1923 No. 330 Catalogue Insert.jpg

In 1928/9 J. Stevens Arms Co. changed the name of their lower priced line to Springfield Arms Co. and for 1929 they introduced an economy version called the Springfield No. 311 with a plain, some catalogs say walnut and some walnut finished hardwood, stock and forearm.

1929 Springfield No. 311.jpg

From its introduction to WW-II this G.S. Lewis designed gun was made with numerous different "trade brands" stamped on them. My Mother's gun that I started my pheasant hunting career with was from Sears with RANGER on the side --

85037 01 RANGER 16-gauge.jpg

Pheasant Huntin 1959.jpg

[Daryl Hallquist]

Phil, yes the gun is mine. It is one of about 6 185s I have seen in 50 years, but by far the best. I have had maybe 3 Model 175s which are nice guns in their own right. Someday soon I will have to give up a lot of the fine tuned collection, for enjoyment by others. Daryl

[Researcher]

It is one of about 6 185s I have seen in 50 years, but by far the best. I have had maybe 3 Model 175s which are nice guns in their own right.

I think Daryl means 385 and 375.

[Daryl Hallquist]

Dave, of course you are right. I was thinking wrong. I always enjoy your posts with all of the information that others cannot offer. Thanks for that. Daryl