Weird but nice Stevens 620 - WWII?

[desentis]

So, I acquired a very nice stevens 620A riot gun serial number 30706. It has matching numbers on both halves and the stock.

The problem is no military markings, shouln't this be in the WWII production range? It has a small p on the receiver and barrel extention almost exactly on top where they meet, but nothing else. The barrel is marked Stevens 620A, but the receiver is not?

So I'm flummoxed, what do you all think?

I don't see any evidence that any markings were polished off.

I think I'll hang on tot his for a while, but what they heck is with it?

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[Tom Doniphon]

Hello desentis.

Your 620 shotgun is in the upper serial number range for the WWII Stevens 620 trench guns. Most, if not all, of the 620 Military riot guns have much lower serial numbers.

I have a late WWII made Stevens 520 Military trench gun that in addition to the normal proof marks has the additional P proof marks on the top of the barrel and receiver like your shotgun. I have also seen other late made Military 520 and 620 trench guns with the same additional P marks. For some reason Stevens starting applying these xtra P proof marks to some of the late made Military shotguns. Why? Who knows for sure? Maybe they had to re-proof a bunch of guns for some reason.

Since your gun has no martial markings, I think you have a commercial riot gun that just happens to be in the upper end of the WWII Military serial number range. Remember, the serial number ranges are just that --- ranges. They may be commercial guns inside the serial number range or Military gun slightly outside the range known.

[desentis]

That seems logical.

I think its odd about the proofs, and that the receiver is not stamped with the model, etc.

[Tom Doniphon]

The receiver should be marked "Model 620" on the left side.

[desentis]

Yeah, I looked for it, but no markings whatsoever except for a small"p".

[Chuckindenver]

on trench guns, the US martial markings are on each side reciever to barrel,
on riot guns, they are on the same side.

[breakeyp]

Your twin P marked shot is a commerical gun purchased by the US at the start of WWII under the "Blanket Procurement Program" to free up service rifles for the war. Springfield Research has a booklet on the program. They purchased new and used 12,16 gauge pump and autoloading shotguns from manufacturers, wholesalers, dealers and the general public. After a cursory check and test firing, they were double stamped P and issued.

Pure WWII shotgun collectors tend to ignore these models as well as the long barrel US marked guns for reasons totally beyond me.


Pictures exist of US troops guarding loaded freight trains with long barrelled shotguns.