Stevens Model 520-30 Trench Gun, Nickel Finish

[carbine joe]

I am new to the Forum and need help identifying an interesting Stevens M520-30 Trench Gun I recently purchased. The gun appears unfired and is in excellent 98%+ condition. It's a beautiful gun and has a very high quality nickel finish. All the markings are very crisp. I am wondering if anyone knows of any M520-30s that were given a finish like this or if they have seen another one like this. Was it a presentation piece? Parade gun? Even the sling swivel was plated. It's fully functional and came with a sling dated 1943. Any information would be helpful.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

The gun appears unfired and is in excellent 98%+ condition.

No it isn't. It's been refinished and covered with shiny...

Was it a presentation piece? Parade gun?

Done when they were worth nothing and just to look pretty. Not for parades...

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Cool "boat gun".

[carbine joe]

Cool "boat gun".

Yeah, it sure would. Not original, but it sure is a nice looking M520.

[Keydet92]

Carbine Joe,
As others have said definitely not original. I'd be very interested to know the serial number of this 520-30 and if it is all matching (barrel, receiver/trigger tang, stock) for my research records.
Thanks
James

[onefastokie]

A lot of the times if a military weapon is nickel or chrome plated they were used for drill or parade weapons. With that being said though I have never seen them do shotguns for those purposes and will have to agree with the rest of the posts and say someone removed the bluing and had it done.