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USMC Korean War Era - Shotgun

skissiks
Hello! This is my first post... [:D]

I just had the pleasure of tapping off a few rounds with a 1950 USMC issue 'Stevenson'(not sure on the spelling) shotgun. 12ga, 18" barrel, 5 slug. Beautiful wood stock and pump, black stainless steel, in great condition, and used in combat.

The *only* serial I could find on it was the USMC issue serial. It was used by my 2nd cousin's grandfather, who was a Force Recon Marine. What an honor to shoot with that beast of a shotgun!

My question for the experts: Do you know anything more about that era of USMC issue shotguns? I'd really like to buy one, but can't seem to find much about it on the internet.

Also, I just found out that the manufacturer may actually be 'Stevens,' and not 'Stevenson.'

Thanks for all replies!

:wq!
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    If it is a Stevens, it's probably either the Model 520 or 620. They were manufactured for approximately 40 years from the early 1900's to the late 40's.
    According to my reference the US military bought something like 35,000 during the war.

    In that era firearms weren't made out of stainless steel.

    Your best bet would be to get hold of a book by Bruce Canfield "A COLLECTORS GUIDE TO UNITED STATES COMBAT SHOTGUNS". It will help in learning about them, and what to look for when you purchase one.
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  • rockford
    quote:Originally posted by skissiks
    Hello! This is my first post... [:D]

    I just had the pleasure of tapping off a few rounds with a 1950 USMC issue 'Stevenson'(not sure on the spelling) shotgun. 12ga, 18" barrel, 5 slug. Beautiful wood stock and pump, black stainless steel, in great condition, and used in combat.

    The *only* serial I could find on it was the USMC issue serial. It was used by my 2nd cousin's grandfather, who was a Force Recon Marine. What an honor to shoot with that beast of a shotgun!

    My question for the experts: Do you know anything more about that era of USMC issue shotguns? I'd really like to buy one, but can't seem to find much about it on the internet.

    Also, I just found out that the manufacturer may actually be 'Stevens,' and not 'Stevenson.'

    Thanks for all replies!

    :wq!


    I've got a similar, but not stainless, Stevens model 620 pump with a short barrel, military marked, circa WW II.

    Fred
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  • Henry0Reilly
    quote:Originally posted by skissiks
    Hello! This is my first post... [:D]

    ....black stainless steel......




    I'm wondering if the gentleman may be refering to a Parkerized finish?

    "Happiness is a warm gun." The Beatles
    lifepatch.gif

    Remember Ruby Ridge.
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  • timinpa
    her is an interesting read COLLECTOR'S GUIDE to the U.S COMBAT SHOTGUN you can find it at rayrilingarmsbooks.com go there and type "shotguns"in the search box you'll find it under author Bruce N. Canfield along with lots of other shotgun books. TIM
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  • rufe-snow
    Re, Rockford's post the Stevens Model 620, was the improved version of the Model 520. Not nearly as many were sold to the U S Military. i.e. you got a winner, take good care of it.
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  • skissiks
    Thanks a lot for your replies, gentlemen. I've already learned a lot about this weapon just from your input!

    As far as I could tell, the *only* serial # on the weapon was the USMC issue #, only because it was distinctly marked as so. There were no other noticeable (even upon a *relatively* thourough search) numbers or identification names.

    How can I tell if it's a 520 or a 620 (or something similar)?

    I am not sure that this was stainless steel.

    Thanks for the tip on the book! I've already got it in my scope!
    "COLLECTOR'S GUIDE TO THE U.S. COMBAT SHOTGUNS. by Bruce N. Canfield"
    http://www.rayrilingarmsbooks.com/cgi-bin/rrb455.cgi/430.html

    Thanks again for your input, and any additional words you may have on the subject!

    Andrew

    :wq!
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  • skissiks
    I forgot to mention:

    If anyone has any ideas on where to buy one of the two models discussed here, the 520 or the 620, please advise! There is one on the auction board now "Stevens Browning 620 12 GA Pump Shotgun NR", looks very similar, but may not be in too good shape.

    Rockford, that sounds like a nice one! If it's anything like the one I just shot with then it's a real sweetie!

    Thanks!

    :wq!
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  • rufe-snow
    The 520 was the original John Browning design from the early 1900's, it had a "squared off " end on the receiver. It appeared similar in this respect to contemporary Browning semi-auto shotguns of that era.
    The 620 was a redesign of the 520 dating to the 30's, it was more streamlined in appearence and did away with "squared off" receiver.
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  • pack rat633
    I used a Stevens pump 12 ga in vietnam in 68 and 69. They were a good reliable shotgun. We had Remington mdl 11(read Browning A-5 clone) but I felt better with the pump. The stock was shorter than a civillian gun, about 12". The only shells we had back then were paper, and a few, very few brass. The paper shells could swell in the monsoon season, and therefor you kept 'em very, very dry!

    SEMPER FI MAC, SEMPER FI
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  • skissiks
    pack rat633,

    Thanks for sharing that. I can only imagine 'keeping your powder dry' in Vietnam during monsoon season! You'd really have to love the weapon to go to the trouble of guarding the paper slugs in the environment.

    My Korean War veteran 'mentor' said that very few Stevens pump action shotguns were used in Vietnam, but that the Marines that had them were lucky to use them. The Corps had almost handed them all out by then!

    Semper Fi. [}:)]

    :wq!
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  • Joker
    The ONLY Stevens 520 military pump-gun that I ever saw firsthand was carried by e Force Recon Marine attached to our company. He also carried the first 12-gauge flechette rounds that I ever saw.
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