Understand Stevens Model 94C Date Codes: A Guide to Deciphering Manufacture Dates

Stevens Model 94C Date Codes indicate when the firearm was manufactured.

Stevens Model 94C Date Codes

The Stevens Model 94C is a popular shotgun model, manufactured between 1948 and 1988. Many shooters and collectors of guns will have seen Stevens Model 94C shotguns, but they might not know that they typically have date codes engraved on them to denote when the gun was made.

The date codes are usually two to four letters (or numbers) on the left-hand side of the action, between the breech block and receiver joint. These codes were used to date all the guns produced in a given year, allowing gun collectors and enthusiasts to identify when a particular rifle or shotgun was made. There were two types of date codes used during this period: code lettering and numbers-only codes.

The code lettering system was used from 1948 to 1953 and consists of two letters selected from an alphabetical sequence beginning with ‘A’. The first letter indicates the monthfrom January (A) to December (L)while the second letter shows in which year the gun was producedfrom 1948 (A) through 1953 (E). For example, if a shotgun’s code reads ‘DF’, it would be October 1949.

From 1954 onward, a single letter followed by a number was used instead. The initial letter indicates the month while the number denotes the last digit of that year: A1 would signify January 1964, while L5 denoted December 1985. Examples of this would include ‘D7’ indicating October 1967 or ‘G8’ indicating July 1978.

The Stevens Model 94C date codes are an easy way for gun enthusiasts and collectors to determine exactly when their firearm was made. Knowing this information can be invaluable information for assessing provenance or obtaining spare parts for older guns.

Types of Stevens Model 94C Date Codes

The Stevens Model 94C is a pump-action shotgun manufactured by the J. Stevens Arms & Tool Company from 1912 to 1948. It is commonly referred to as the Model 94C or simply the Model 94. The date codes used to identify the production year of these shotguns can be found on various parts, including the receiver, the barrel, and other components.

The earliest date codes used on Stevens Model 94C shotguns began in 1912 and ran through 1948. During this period, five variations of date codes were used: serial numbers, letter codes, yearly averages, older models with no date code, and a few miscellaneous methods. Each variation has its own unique characteristics that can be used to accurately determine the production year of a given shotgun.

Identify Your Stevens Model 94C

When attempting to identify your Stevens Model 94C shotgun, it is important to first determine which type of date code system was used on your particular model. The serial number system was used from 1912 until around 1922 when it was replaced by letter codes. From 1923 until 1948, yearly averages were implemented for most models with some exceptions for older models that did not have any type of date code system applied.

The serial number system consisted of a five-digit number stamped into various parts of the shotgun such as the receiver or barrel. This number corresponds to the year in which it was produced and can be used to accurately determine its age.

The letter code system was adopted in 1923 and consisted of two letters stamped into various parts such as the receiver or barrel that corresponded to a specific year in which it was made. The first letter stood for either January or July while the second stood for either February or August up until 1928 when this system was replaced by yearly averages.

Yearly averages began in 1928 and consisted of two digits stamped into various parts such as the receiver or barrel that corresponded to a specific year in which it was made based on an average production rate for that model during that time period. This method allowed for an easier way to identify production years without having to manually look up each individual guns serial number or letter code combination.

Older models that were produced prior to 1923 had no type of date code system applied and instead relied solely on visual inspection such as looking at identifying marks or logos on various components like stocks and barrels. Lastly, there are some miscellaneous methods that were applied sporadically throughout this time period such as using special numbers or symbols instead of letters or numbers when stamping certain components like stocks and barrels with dates corresponding to their production years but these are rarer than other methods mentioned previously and are not widely used today when attempting to identify a particular models age accurately.

Variations of the Stevens Model 94C Date Code System

When attempting to identify your Stevens Model 94C shotgun’s exact age, it is important to understand how each variation works so you can accurately determine its production year:

Serial Numbers: Serial numbers consist of five digits stamped into various parts such as receivers and barrels which correspond directly with a given year; they are usually found along with other identifying marks like logos which may help narrow down its exact age more accurately if all other methods fail; this method is usually seen on guns produced prior to 1922 but may still be seen occasionally up until 1948 when other methods became more popular; they are one of the most reliable forms when attempting to accurately determine a guns exact age due their direct correlation with specific years in terms of production dates; they can also be looked up online using various databases available today if all else fails when trying to identify your guns exact age range within its potential production range from 1912 – 1948 .

Letter Codes: Letter codes consist two letters stamped into various parts such as receivers and barrels which correspond directly with a given month within any given year; they are usually found along with other identifying marks like logos which may help narrow down its exact age more accurately if all other methods fail; this method became popular from 1923 – 1928 before being replaced by yearly averages; they are one of the most reliable forms when attempting to accurately determine a guns exact age due their direct correlation with specific months within any given year in terms of production dates; they can also be looked up online using various databases available today if all else fails when trying to identify your guns exact age range within its potential production range from 1923 – 1928 .

Yearly Averages: Yearly averages consist two digits stamped into various parts such as receivers and barrels which correspond directly with an average rate at which guns were produced during any given year; they are usually found along with other identifying marks like logos which may help narrow down its exact age more accurately if all other methods fail; this method became popular starting in 1928 until 1948 ; they are one of the most reliable forms when attemptingto accurately determinea guns approximate age due their general correlationwith anygivenyearin termsproductiondates ;theycanalsobelookeduponlineusingvariousdatabasesavailabletodayifall elsefailswhentryingtoidentifyyourgunsexactagerangewithinitspotentialproductionrangefrom1928-1948 .

Older Models/Miscellaneous Methods: Older models/miscellaneous methods consists primarilyofspecialnumbersorsymbolswhenstampingcertaincomponentslikestocksandbarrelswithdatescorrespondingtotheirproductionyearsbutthesearerarerthanothermethodsmentionedpreviouslyandarenotwidelyusedtodaywhenattemptingtoidentifyaparticularmodel’sageaccurately;thesearemostlyseenonmodelsproducedpriorto1923althoughthereareafewexceptionshereandtherewherethisystemwasusedoncertainmodelsupuntiltheendofitssupportedlifespanin1948 .

Date Codes for Production Years 1912 – 1948

When looking at date codes for Stevens Model 94C shotguns produced between 1912 – 1948 , there are five different variations used depending upon what model you have : Serial Numbers , Letter Codes , Yearly Averages , Older Models without Date Codes ,and Miscellaneous Methods . Each variation has its own unique characteristics that can be used togetherwithotheridentifyingmarkssuchaslogostodetermineexactlywhichyearyourgunwasproducedinaccurately . As mentioned earlier , Serial Numbers consistofafivedigitnumberstampedintovariouspartsoftheshotgunsuchasthereceiverorbarrelwhichcorresponddirectlywithagivenyear ;theyareusuallyfoundalongwithotheridentifyingmarksthatmayhelpnarrowdownitsageevenmoreaccuratelyifallotheroptionsfail . Lettercodesconsistoftwoletterstampedintovariouspartslikereceiversorbarrelsandtheyeachstandforagivenmonthwithinanygivenyear ;thismethodbecamepopularfrom1923-1928beforebeingreplacedbyyearlyaverageswhichconsistoftwodigitsstampedintovariouspartslikereceiversorbarrelsandcorresponddirectlytoanaverageproductionrateforanygiventimelinefrom1928-1948 . Finally , o ldermodelsproducedpriorTo1923hadnotypeofdatecodesystemappliedandsometimesrelysolelyonvisualinspectionsuchaslookingatidentifyingmarksorlogosonvariouscomponentssuchasstocksandbarrelstoreliablefindoutwhenitwasproduced .

Stevens Model 94C Identification & Dating Service

If you find yourself unabletoaccuratelydeterminetheageofyourStevensModel94Cshotgunbasedontheinformationoutlinedabove , therearespecializedservicesavailablethataimtoprovideyouwithaccessto accurateinformationregardingtheyearofproductionforeachparticularmodelyouhaveinyourpossession . These services typically involve submitting imagesofyoursubjectweaponalongwithanyotherobviousmarkingssuchaslogostoothermanufacturersandserialnumberswhichcanthenbeutilizedbyexpertscientistsorgunsmithstoprovideyouwithananswerastowhenyourgunwasproducedandevenwhomayhavebeentheoriginalproducerorsupplierofthemodelinyourpossessiontoday . In additiontothis , therearespecializedwebsitesavailablethatoffer access tonumerousdatabasescontaininginformationregardingtheappearanceofformerStevensModel94Csothatyoucanbetterunderstandwhatyoursubjectweaponlookedlikewhenitwasfirstmanufacturedaswellasthelocationwhereittookplaceifknownpreciselyenoughthroughresearchingproperrecordsdatabasesfortheareaatthattimeperiod . WithallthisinformationatyourfingertipsandyourStevensModel94Coriginalappearanceinsightsnowavailabletoyou , youshouldhaveeverythingyouneedtoaccuratelydeterminetheageofyourparticularmodelsoyoucanfurtherunderstanditshistoryandvaluedependingonyearoforiginamongotherfactorsrelevanttoyoursearchquestionsconcerningthemodelinyourpossession today !

Determining Age of Stevens Shotguns Based on Serial Number and Maker’s Marks

The age of a Stevens shotgun can be determined by looking at the serial number and maker’s marks. Serial numbers are usually found on the side of the receiver, while maker’s marks can be found on the underside of the receiver. The serial numbers will generally consist of four or five digits, with some models having up to seven digits. The shorter serial numbers are typically from earlier production runs, while longer numbers indicate more recent production runs. Additionally, some shotguns may have a two-digit prefix followed by a four-digit number. This prefix indicates the year of manufacture according to a proprietary system used by Stevens for their firearms.

In addition to serial numbers, makers’ marks can also be used to identify when a firearm was made. Each year, Stevens would produce firearms with unique stamps that indicated when they were manufactured and what type of shotgun they were made for. These stamps are typically located on the underside of the receiver near where it meets the stock and will consist of one or two letters along with several digits that indicate things like gauge, type, and style. By cross-referencing these stamps with catalogs and other documents from that era, it is possible to determine an approximate age for most Stevens shotguns.

Ammunition Size Identification -Chamber and Barrel Markings

Another important factor in determining an approximate age for a Stevens shotgun is identifying what size ammunition it takes. Most shotguns will have chamber and barrel markings that indicate what size ammunition they take; these markings are typically located near the muzzle or on top of the barrel near where it meets the stock. Ammunition size identification is especially important for older guns as some sizes have changed over time or become obsolete entirely since then.

For example, many older shotguns may have markings indicating they take 12 gauge ammunition but modern 12 gauge shells may not fit in them due to changes in chamber design over time that make them incompatible with modern shells. Similarly, some guns may take larger sizes like 16 gauge ammo which has become less common in recent years as other gauges have become more popular among shooters. Knowing what size ammo your gun takes is essential in ensuring you buy appropriate ammunition for it so you don’t damage your gun or risk injury due to an incorrect fitment between shell and chamber size.

The Relationship of the Model Numbers and Serial Numbers of the Stevens Gun Company Guns

Model numbers and serial numbers are also important when trying to determine an approximate age for a Stevens shotgun as each model had its own unique set of features that was often reflected in its model number or serial number code. These codes could indicate things like barrel length, choke type, stock style, trigger type etc., which could all help narrow down exactly which model you had based on just these two pieces of information alone if you werent able to locate any other identifying information such as manufacturers marks or date codes stamped into the gun itself.

When trying to identify your model based on its serial number/model code combination its best to consult an official manual from Stevens Arms Company as they often provide detailed information about each model including pictures that can help you easily identify it based solely on its code/serial combination if no other markers are available. Additionally, many online resources such as forums dedicated to collecting classic firearms can also help provide insight into exactly which model you might have if youre having trouble finding definitive answers elsewhere.

Model Variants and Names -Varieties of Firearms

Beyond just knowing roughly how old your firearm is through its various markings there is also often considerable variation between different models even within same series this includes differences in stock style/materials used as well as minor differences such as barrel length etc., all varying depending upon exactly which variant within a series was produced at any given time this also applies when looking at different names given to same general models such as Ranger being used interchangeably with Model 94C though they refer essentially same thing (a small frame pump action shotgun). This further complicates matters when attempting find out exactly which variant/model you have without any additional identifying information beyond just looking at gun itself due to there being no standardized system between different manufacturers/series when referring same basic designs this means even if one knows exactly which series their firearm belongs too still wont tell them much about exact variant within series unless they know additional markers associated specific variants such date codes etc.,

Deciphering Different Date Stamps In Shotguns Manufactured By Stevens Arms Company

In order to further narrow down exactly which variant within a particular series one has one must look at additional markers not just limited those mentioned above but also including things like date codes stamped into various parts gun these codes often consist two letters followed several digits representing month/year combination (example: MD1087 would represent March 1987) though exact meaning each code varies from manufacturer/series so again one must look official documentation each specific firearm order interpret meaning said codes correctly additionally some manufacturers use proprietary systems instead standard month/year format meaning one must familiarize themselves those before attempting decipher said codes accurately unfortunately lack standardization makes deciphering these codes difficult even after learning interpret manufacturer specific systems properly thus making task much more involved than simply relying upon single marker determine exact variant one might possess without any additional assistance..

Production Quota Estimations -Lack Of Standardization

In addition determining exact variants within certain series through date codes stamped into firearms another way estimate production run each individual gun comes calculating quota allotted certain variants during given period time this accomplished comparing known quantities firearms produced during period against total quantity firearms known exist current time thus allowing calculate approximate quantity each variant produced during period knowledge however limited due unknown changes quotas throughout history well lack standardization between manufacturers meaning estimates made relying upon method often quite rough approximation actual figures rather than definitive answer nevertheless understanding quotas particular variants still useful tool when attempting estimate how many guns particular variant existed given period time particularly when combined other methods determining dates production mentioned above thus rendering task determining exact variant within given series significantly easier than would otherwise be case without such knowledge available..

FAQ & Answers

Q: What are the types of Stevens Model 94C date codes?
A: Stevens Model 94C date codes are used to identify the manufacturing date of a particular gun. The most common date code system used is a letter code followed by a two-digit number. The letter corresponds to the year of production, with A being 1912, B being 1913, and so on up until 1948 when it reached Y. The two digits following the letter code correspond to the month of production.

Q: How do I identify my Stevens Model 94C?
A: You can identify your Stevens Model 94C by examining its logo and serial number. Additionally, you can look for markings on the barrel, receiver, and furniture which can help you determine its age and model type.

Q: What is the relationship between model numbers and serial numbers on Stevens guns?
A: The model numbers are related to the serial numbers as they indicate variations in firearms produced by Stevens Arms Company such as barrels, stocks, receivers and furniture. Therefore, different model numbers may have different serial numbers depending on their specifications.

Q: How do I decipher different date stamps in shotguns manufactured by Stevens Arms Company?
A: Date stamps can be deciphered using different methods such as production quota estimations or comparing pictures of similar firearms to those produced by them. This will allow you to accurately determine the age of your shotgun based on its specific characteristics.

Q: How do I distinguish between specific models based on their stocks, barrels, receivers, furniture etc.?
A: Distinguishing between specific models based on their stocks, barrels, receivers and furniture requires looking at pictures which reference these parts. If two models have similar characteristics but different model names then it may be necessary to examine pictures in order to accurately tell them apart.

The Stevens Model 94C is an iconic firearm with a long and storied history. It is a highly collectible firearm due to its unique features and design. The date codes on the Stevens Model 94C can provide important information about when the gun was manufactured, as well as its general condition. Knowing the date codes of your Stevens Model 94C can be key to understanding more about the gun’s history and value.