update
i saw two guns over the summer that are exactly the same as the one i have. the only difference is they were marked 'j. stevens'
they had full length barrels, and they were indeed heavy. the guy wanted $80 each, which is too much for poor condition guns that may have damascus barrels.
i was told by a retired gunsmith that stevens singles with this type of unscrewing pivot pin were made around the damascus/fluid steel barrel transition. some have damascus, some don't.
i have a few damascus single shots, i pay around $35 - 40 each if they are in decent condition. i don't fire them, i just set them on the rack and admire them for what they are- relics.
as far as this particular gun goes... it's the exception to the rule. i only fired mine because it was already modified, and because it makes a nice home security gun. (the barrel where it was cut is very thick. it looks like it has a howitzer barrel on it... not something a burglar likes to see.)
i keep it loaded with a cheap #7.5 trap shell in the chamber and more of the same in an elastic band on the stock. i wouldn't be afraid to fire it if i had to, but i wouldn't want to use it every day, either.
there are always debates on firing damascus shotguns. i err on the side of caution. if i don't fire them, they can't blow up.