I have no advice but would love to see a picture of the gun:)
NO!
Further more, make sure its not a Damascus barrel before you fire it all.
Where can you find information about a Riverside Arms 12 gauge pump shotgun marked 5489-B and Proof Tested 12 Ga only?
In: Savage Arms and J Stevens, Riverside Arms [Edit categories]
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Answer
It is a Stevens gun, general utility type shotgun. Value around $200 in good condition.
No.
Damn! I’m not certain 3” shells were available in the 30’s. Good question. Time to do a little research.
3 inch shotgun shells do not generally give higher velocities. Rather they hold more shot. Subsequently they generate higher pressures when fired.
The Riverside trade name was part of the J.Savage family of guns and were manufactured in the early 1900’s.
Shotgun shells are measured after firing, because the chamber has to be long enough to let the crimp unfold completely. So a 3” unfired shell will chamber in a 2 3/4” gun but should not be fired, because excessive pressure could result.
If it was made in the ‘30’s (which is likely) it should be ok with 2 3/4” lead shot target loads, assuming it locks up tight, and the barrel is not bulged or pitted inside. A majority of these guns had full (tight) chokes and relatively soft steel barrels (by today’s standards) so steel shot can score and bulge the barrel.
A damascus gun is more likely from the late 1800’s and would have a twist pattern like a barber pole around the barrel. Do not fire it if it has this characteristic.
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My Father was given a gun just about identical to the one you have except it was marked “Shapleigh Hardwar Co. St. Louis, MO”
The gun was given to him by an old WWII Army buddy when we visited them around 1960.
Daddy wrote to the hardware company just using the name and St. Louis Mo as the address. Surprisingly, he got an answer. He was told that the hardware company was out of business but that the gun was made by Stevens at Chickopee Mass.
The gun was actually very well made considering it was a trade gun made for various companies. My older Brother had it and now his Son has it.
It should be safe with 2 3/4 inch shells as long as it is in good condition. It does not have damascus barrels.
While we’re sort of on the subject, what’s the effective range, velocity and hitting power of a 12ga. 2.75” round? I have a Winchester Model 1200 Defender (pump). I’m using #00 alternating with slug. Thanks in advance.
I use both of these low recoil loads in my 18.5" barreled 1902 Iver Johnson Arms and Cycle Works "Champion" model (12 gauge) with great results... This one is my "truck gun" because I have less than $50 in the entire gun, sling, and ammo load of 6 round on the buttstock... If it gets stolen, I'm not out a bunch of money.
Regards,
Raven6
Take it to a qualified gunsmith for an examination, but I think, based on the age of the gun, you shouldn’t be using 3”, or even ‘hot’ 2.75”.
It is a Stevens shotgun. I believe that they made the Riverside double through the early 1930s. I have a Riverside double with outside hammers made in the ‘20s. DO NOT shoot 3” or steel shot in it. Older shotguns like this were called “hardware store” guns and were low priced shotguns for the common man. For safety reasons, I only fire 2 3/4” black powder loads in mine when I go dove or quail hunting because of the lower pressures produced by black powder in the barrel than is made by using smokeless powder.
Although the 3 inch shells will chamber they should not be used. The chamber is actually 2.75 inches to accommodate the shell after it's fired. If you measure an unfired 2.75 inch shell you will note it actually measures about 2.25 inches but opens up to 2.75 inches after firing. The 3 inch unfired shell measures about 2.50 inches thus the reason it fits. However after firing, the shell will open to 3 inches and go beyond the chamber and into the barrel making a tight fit for the pellets to squeeze through thus raising the pressures to dangerous levels.
I still use mine (mine does not have damascus barrels) although I'm not a big fan of side by side doubles. I'm not sure these were ever even made with damascus but it's possible. Google damascus barrels for photos. Once you see a damascus barrel you'll know immediately if you have one.
NO!