[Anon626]

Hey all, my grandpa gave me this shotgun last night, I was wondering if you could help me identify it. As far as I can tell the shotgun was made by Mass Arms Co. of Chicopee Falls Massachusetts. The only other markings I see say choke boxed on the topside of the barrel by the break. Its a single shot break action shotgun, I assume its less than a 12 gauge as the barrel looks smaller than a 12.

 

[Silicon Wolverine]

could be a 16 ga, there a plenty of those floating around. might not hurt to shine up the barrel and see if itsays anything about loads. some older 16ga guns were plackpowder only.

SW

 

[SamStafford]

So, if it was BP...you mean you would shoot only BP filled shot shells? :thinking:

 

[hobbles]

I never thought of his being a BP rifle, but if it is then the metal wouldn't hold up to smokeless powder. It would blow up/come apart.

 

[47_MasoN_47]

I'd say there's a real good chance of that being a 16 gauge. That was a pretty popular shell many years ago.

If it's BP only, then yeah it'll only be safe to fire shotgun shells loaded with black powder. Modern smokeless powder could cause a KB and could injure yourself or someone nearby.

 

[Anon626]

On the underside where the reciever screws into the stock it says TF96, T and F on top, while the numbers 9 and 6 are under the letters.

 

[Silicon Wolverine]

those are likely proof marks. is there any cartouches anywhere on the metal or stock?

SW

 

[Anon626]

I dont see any other marks so far

 

[Silicon Wolverine]

look under the butt plate, inside the reciver where the pivot area is, and under the hammer spur or break lever.

SW

 

[4chanKommando]

IIRC, Massachusetts Arms Company was a brand name used by J. Stevens Arms Co in the late 1800's and early 1900's, so it's possible it could be an old mod 107B or something. I could be wrong (and probably am), but that's just my $.02

 

[Buckeye]

It does looks like an old Stevens.... should be some writing on the lower barrel

 

[John H]

Hey Brother,
I'll bet someone @ antiqueguns.com can help, a lot of good folks over there.
Joh