Riverside Arms No. 215 12 Gauge Single-Shot Shotgun, 32" Full Choke, Circa 1910s-1920s
Produced for hardware-store counters between 1914 and 1929, this Riverside Arms No. 215 represents J. Stevens’ trade-name approach to offering dependable, economical shotguns. The long 32-inch barrel is factory stamped “CHOKE BORED,” indicating its fixed full choke, while the external rebounding hammer and top-lever break-action capture the practical engineering of the era. Walnut furniture, a steel frame, and U.S.
manufacture round out a piece that reflects early 20th-century American field gun design.
Condition
Overall Condition: Poor condition.
Bore Condition: Poor – noticeable dirt, stains, significant corrosion or damage.
Specific Condition Notes: The underside of the receiver and the walnut stock each have visible cracks. Excessive wear, residue, and pitting are present throughout. The firing pin does not rebound, so the barrel cannot be opened without manually depressing the pin. This shotgun is sold AS-IS and is currently non-functioning.
What’s Included
- Riverside Arms No. 215 12 Gauge single-shot shotgun
The Riverside trade name was reserved for catalog and hardware distributors, yet the gun itself was built in the Stevens factory in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts. This lineage ties the piece to one of America’s most prolific early shotgun makers.
A 32-inch steel barrel paired with a fixed full choke gave hunters of the day the tight patterns needed for longer-range bird and small-game work. The barrel still wears its original “CHOKE BORED” roll mark.
The external hammer provides straightforward, visual confirmation of cocked status, while the top-lever action keeps operation intuitive. Even in non-working condition, the action layout illustrates a common mechanical format of its period.
Walnut furniture with a semi-pistol-grip stock and splinter forend delivers the traditional look and feel associated with early 1900s American shotguns. Length of pull measures 14 inches, typical for a full-size field gun.