Stevens 520-30 trench Shotgun Questions

[Valkyrie45]

I have located nice looking 520-30 Trench shotgun and am considering purchasing it. I have looked at a lot of blogs and determined it is all correct with the proper markings and the barrel SN matches the Reciever's. It has a serial number of 58,XXX. I did not pull the stock off to check how it is marked but everything looks to be correct, EXCEPT!

A Redfield peep sight is attached to the left side of the receiver. The sight is attached by a screw and the sight arm runs towards the back a short distance then turns up vertically and turns again horizontally and crosses directly behind the back side of the receiver. A peep sight is perfectly aligned down the top of the barrel to the bead on the heat shield. Could this be a military addition or was it added at some point since serving?

How much does this devalue this peace of historyif any? It has at least 85 percent originl finish. The Heat Shield is a bright blue with the plum coloring at the bayonet lug portion. Any help determining the value of this Trench gun would be appreciated. Sorry, I don't have any photos to share.

Information

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[emmagee1917]

Like most other guns , a threaded hole added to the reciever by Bubba gives the gun a big drop in price. Is the finish under the sight damaged with wear? Be hard to give a figure , but I would bet a good 20-25 percent price drop over one not fiddled with. Remember the addage about taking a $ 750 dollar gun and spending $500 dollars to turn it into a $250 gun .
Chris

[Valkyrie45]

I didn't take the sight off but would figure the finish is marred some from having the sight tight against it. He is asking 1350 for it. He thinks the sight is military and I didn't know wheather it was or not. I have very little experience with Military shotguns. All the ones I have seen for sale have been a lot rougher and ask incredible prices! When I saw the sight my heart sank! I had never seen one on a Trench gun before. This one looks really good and even appears to be of the period.

I don't think he will take anything less, he feels the weapon is correct like it is. Everything else is so right, it is a shame someone added the sight! Just wondering what would be a fair price for it as it is.

Thanks for your help.

[emmagee1917]

Well , I paid $1000 for a 1897 all correct trench several years ago. It had been rebuilt to new and refinished. I bought it as a shooter and use it as such. There is a company taking used 520-30 non-militaries and adding fake heatshields and refinishing them ( no fake markings , though) and selling them for around $800. The price he's asking is upper endish , but fair. It will never be a collectable , but if you want a shooter go for it. Nothing wrong with buying what you want as long as you go in with your eyes open.
Chris

[nhetzer]

If you just want a shooter and aren't concerned about it being a matching gun, you're better off looking elsewhere. The heat shield is the key here. You can get a barrel and a receiver for less than $500. A stock will run you about $60 for both pieces. They can indeed be found for that. I've bought plenty of them. The heat shield is rare part. If he has an original heat shield, then I say buy it and get another receiver. The heat shield alone could bring that price. They are crazy expensive when you can find them. Good luck with your decision.

[scosgt]

The gun is ruined for collecting.

IF the adaptor is nice and for real, but it and sell the gun as a shooter. Keep the adaptor. A good clean gun missing the adaptor will turn up. For the Stevens, adaptors are harder to find than guns.