WWII Stevens Marked M.520 U.S RIA

[BobcatAngler]

First post here and am hoping for some help with a new purchase. I just purchased this riot gun from a local gun shop. The shop explained it was most likely an early civilian model that was 'militarized' early in WWII to meet demand. I'm hoping someone with more experience can give me some additional information. I have always wanted a riot/trench gun so I spent $1000 on this. It seemed like a fair price but after doing some more research I'm worried this may not be legit. Thanks!

Information

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[BobcatAngler]

From Bruce Canfield:

"I cannot evaluate guns from just photographs. However, in this instance, I can tell you that they got in question does not look like any genuine when US military 520 shotgun. My books have detailed information and photographs of original guns and if you compare this one with those, you'll see what I'm talking about. Hope this helps."

So...I'll be returning this gun to the shop today.

[Tom Doniphon]

I have data on another 520 marked just like the subject gun. The serial number is only a couple hundred higher than this gun. Are they commercial guns marked by the Military? Who knows? But no matter what, they have been refinished by someone as they would have left the factory with a blue finish.

I think returning the gun to the shop is a good idea. Save your money for something you don't have to make excuses for.

[browningautorifle]

They did procure civilian guns and take them over to military didn't they? Perhaps this would be one. Still, the whole thing's questionable enough for doubt.

[emmagee1917]

Well , if we assume a civilian gun picked up by the military , I can see the added US mark . But why the added M520 mark ? If it went through a rebuild late or post war I could see the parked finish . RK and RIA markings added . But .... why does the earlier marks go through the later finish ? Why are the rebuid marks on the barrel extension rather than on the reciever ? I would ask why not on the wood , but I seem to recall RIA stamping Thompson recievers in this RK period. No , too many questions on this one .
Chris

[browningautorifle]

But why the added M520 mark ?

Agreed, and this would just be one question...the rest as well.

[tranham]

This is exactly like this shotgun I have

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/b8q4kqt0h...7ByI5xG-a?dl=0'

Sorry, I forgot to get a close up of the "M520 US" but mine is identical.

IMO these are correct, it would be hard to believe someone would be stamping these and getting rid of the commercial markings.

Robert

[JJM]

Here's my two cents worth in April of 1942 Stevens was given a contract for 14,200 520-30'S 3,800 620'S and 7,200 720'S on contract number W-740-ORD-2301 of this contract it called for 1,300 520-30'S 137 620'S and 225 720'S that as the contract says special markings deleted this is from Stevens factory records so it's hard to say is it or isn't it one of these guns and F K is Frank Krack an inspector at Rock Island

[Keydet92]

Tranham,
I collect and research these shotguns. The shotgun above and the one on your other post do not have typical M520-30 markings. Canfield lays out the serial number range as 38000-70000. However, I have documented several shotguns in the 31000-38000 range that have the accepted "correct" markings (all long-barreled training guns BTW). So that establishes that the standardized markings were in use before these guns were made. I have also documented completely bare Model 520As from this period (no US, Riverside Arms, Western Field, or Ranger markings as Stevens never sold them under their own name) with only the barrel proof stamp. What this gun and the other look like are these bare 520As that have been given non-standard military markings w/ the receiver markings looking especially amateur. Arsenal rework M520-30s will usually get an arsenal stamp on the bottom of the pistol grip, not the barrel lugs. However, two such guns marked in the same way leads me to believe this is some anomaly in the production run or that someone took unmarked civilian 520As with the correct serial numbers and doctored them with bogus marks. I do not believe all the M520-30s and M620s from the accepted S/N range were sent to the government. I see fakes on M620s more often because during the early 40's Stevens marked their Model 620As only on the barrels leaving the left side of the receiver open for forgery.

[JJM]

Tranham,
I collect and research these shotguns. The shotgun above and the one on your other post do not have typical M520-30 markings. Canfield lays out the serial number range as 38000-70000. However, I have documented several shotguns in the 31000-38000 range that have the accepted "correct" markings (all long-barreled training guns BTW). So that establishes that the standardized markings were in use before these guns were made. I have also documented completely bare Model 520As from this period (no US, Riverside Arms, Western Field, or Ranger markings as Stevens never sold them under their own name) with only the barrel proof stamp. What this gun and the other look like are these bare 520As that have been given non-standard military markings w/ the receiver markings looking especially amateur. Arsenal rework M520-30s will usually get an arsenal stamp on the bottom of the pistol grip, not the barrel lugs. However, two such guns marked in the same way leads me to believe this is some anomaly in the production run or that someone took unmarked civilian 520As with the correct serial numbers and doctored them with bogus marks. I do not believe all the M520-30s and M620s from the accepted S/N range were sent to the government. I see fakes on M620s more often because during the early 40's Stevens marked their Model 620As only on the barrels leaving the left side of the receiver open for forgery.

I have seen a few model 97 Winchesters with that same mark on the bottom of the reciver by the serial number if fact I seen a model 97 with that same mark that a Sheriff's department had it was shipped to them in the early 1970's from Anniston Army Depot so I don't think Anniston deals in fakes