J. Stevens 22 Caliber Shotgun - History, Value & Details (Serial #413)

Question
I have a gun, on the barrel says J. Stevens A&T CO. It is a 22 Cal
shot gun. Ser# 413. Very good Cond. Shoots well. Tell me about its
history and its worth. Also stmped says 22 shot. Thank's

Answer
You have a very interesting gun there. J. Stevens Arms and Tools Company actually produced the very first .22 round and the rifles that soon followed. They were designed to train new and young hunters how to handle a gun and shoot. They started making these guns and rounds in the year 1888 and they produced around 100,000 .22 caliber rifles. The number 432 tells me that it was likely made between 1888 and 1889. You likely have one of the first .22 caliber rifles ever made. The "22 shot" you saw on the gun is referring to the fact that it shoots .22 caliber ammo. a .32 caliber rifle by the same company says 32 shot.