They started using J.C. Higgens in 1908, but I don't know when they started having guns made in that name, but know rifles made prior to WW II had that name. In the 1960s, Ted Williams' name was on Sears guns and other sporting equipment.

Mine is a Stevens 5100, marked on the left side. Stevens changed that gun to the Model 311 in 1942, which is what made me think it was pre-WW II. 311 versions of the JC were marked 311 on the right side, so I've read.