I'm helping my brother-in-law catalog a bunch of old guns formerly belonging to his dad and the above-titled gun is one of them.
It's a poorly cared for double shotgun with rust patches on the outside of the barrel, but the bore seems to have been protected by all the crud. (I yi yi)
One the receiver: the script-letter word "Ranger" is stamped on the L side and in small letters closer to the tang, "PAT APR 20-1915". Nothing appears visible on the right side, There's also a serial number stamped under the barrel cambers position which reads X##761. (That number also matches the numbers on the metal and wood parts of the forearm and under the barrel release lever.)
On the barrel top is stamped "PROOF TESTED 12 GA." The bottom of the barrel has 2 markings, T###028(?) near the barrel lock, and the letter "M" is stamped on the forearm guide/catch.
The back (inside facing) part of the plastic butt plate/pad is stamped 7-34. (This piece looks aftermarket.) And that's all the stampings that I can see on the gun.
The buttstock is cracked and chipped off in several places but the forearm is still good. I'm guessing it kicks like a mule even with 2 3/4 shells.
I believe the gun was made by the Steven's Arms Co. for Sears sometime after 1915, but that's about it. I do not know when it was made or sold.
I don't think it's worth $50 in present condition but, with new furniture against your shoulder, a new spring or two and bobbing 4 - 10 inches off the rusty end of the 30 inch barrel, it might be worth 100-150 bux.
Any opinions or data about when it was made or about a semi-restoration?
Thanks for your time.