I own a Wards Western Field model 35. It looks just like your shotgun except I have a cross bolt safety. It is a recent purchase and I have yet to fire it. I have had several 520 and 620's in the past. From memory most were bought for less than $100. My "monkey Ward" model 35 was won with a bid of $100 at an auction. With the auction fees I'm into it $120. Awesome example of American craftsmanship from over 100 years ago.
Yes, these rarely fetch big dollars unless they are mint....and they rarely are! In my opinion, guns like this are one of the best deals in most gun stores.
@@MilsurpGarage Yes you are correct. I was very lucky the last ten years before I retired I was assigned to a customer in the burbs of a very large city. I was a customer service engineer \ AKA field service engineer....A cool old gun shop was located close to the customer I serviced. Found a lot of really good deals there. This gun shop is one of the few things I miss about the big city. I live in the country now.....do not miss the big city anymore except for a few gun shops and the people that worked there.
I posted this before I got through the whole video. You mentioned and had a picture of the Monkey Wards Western Field model 35.....I compared the pics with my shotgun....same same....1938 1939.....My Mom would have been 85 just a few weeks ago....Sept 5, 1939.......A cool gun that was probably being made or in the store when my Mom was coming into the world. Look at world history 1939 had a lot of things going on.
Another well done video BTW, and thanks again for giving some airtime to another neat JM Browning design that likely flies under most people's radar. During my three decades working as a state game warden, I checked an occasional hunter with one of these unique old pump shotguns (typically Grandpa's old gun) and about 99% of the time (you could just expect it) they were usually "unplugged" and the magazine tube could/would hold 4-rounds .... the Migratory Bird Protection Act not yet existing back when most of these shotguns were produced and sold. With the owner's permission, it was not uncommon to then spend the next 30 mins or so of time trying to fashion a "plug" for the magazine tube, so that the young lad usually carrying it could continue to legally hunt ducks that day. And I always found it fascinating how the two halves of the gun were melded together in a gear-like, take-down design (JM Browning was an absolute genius) ... and could only scratch my head in amazement at the precise machining required to make all of this happen/work. I continue to appreciate YOUR efforts in scouring the local gun shows and pawn shops for unique finds like this and to bring us such interesting content. To me, it's history like this (American History) that makes this hobby so fascinating, and also makes these vintage firearms so much more enjoyable to own, collect, and hunt with. Please continue with your good work, my friend! It's very much appreciated!
It's good to hear someone in your position would help a hunter in this way. California Game Wardens have been known to confiscate or charge the owner for a crime, or both,for unknowingly using a firearm that wasn't "up to code"
As a career machinist i remain awestruck at the incredible worksmanship on these every day working man's arms. The takedown joint in particular is a thing of beauty.
Check out the Burgess Slide Action Shotgun made by Burgess Gun Co. of Buffalo NY….. Winchester bought them when Browning was still around. Had a large chunk of research on this but decided not to include it. Do you think Browning might have been influenced by that design?
@@subterfusion4005I’m thinking it was the takedown design he was interested in but had to adapt it to the much higher pressures of smokeless powder…….which, by the looks of it, he didn’t have to do much. A testament to the strength of that design. Interesting that he seemingly used something technically owned by Winchester at the same time Winchester was struggling to compete with Browning designs that were locked up tight and they couldn’t touch.
Honestly at times the patent pages make me go to sleep. This one held my attention, learned alot and thank you for this video presentation. Enjoyed the trap at the end too
Thank you for tuning in once again! There was so much research on this one.....so much left on the cutting room floor......sometimes the hardest part of doing these videos is not what to discuss and cover but what to cut and leave out. I even had video of some slam fire action going in a game of trap doubles.....I hit one here and one there but couldn't get the double hit needed for my slo-mo slam fire double clay blast. Really wanted that. I did it before years ago with the Winchester Model 12 Heavy Duck but not on video. Most trap ranges put an end to the festivities after one game.......
The suicide safety and carrier locking of Riverside Arms prior to the fire in 1922, (Chicopee Falls MA). The end of the Humpback receivers. Steven's purchase of Riverside and the evolution of the 520 and 620 models with more reliable upper bolt locking.
I think the butt pad looks correct for a shotgun of that vintage. If you think about it those guns were expected to most importantly function well. If the butt pad made it better to shoot and adjusted length for the user, I don’t think it’s worth the effort to replace the butt stock to get it back to factory original. If you’re lucky enough to find an original with matching patina, then why not. I’ve passed on acquiring guns because of a badly done butt pad replacement and damage, but the one you have looks like a period upgrade. Ps.. my first real duck hunting shotgun was a Steven’s model 67. It’s on the bottom of a large river, thanks to a Canoe flip while hunting.
J Stevens was in Chicopee, Mass., at one time the largest gun manufacturer in America. Unfortunately, like Winchester & Marlin, Stevens was greatly damaged by filling WW1 govr contacts, and was unable to recover.
I trap shoot with my old shotguns and the 7 1/2 or 8 shot shells are pretty mild. I steer clear of the hot shells for sure like slugs or buckshot in high brass.
@ Thanks! I just picked one of these up. It’s a 1920s model I believe. It’s pretty rusty on the outside and inside the barrel. I want to shoot it but I figure it needs some work first. Everything functions as it should though.
My bil has one. His has a few issues. The rear stock is loose on the frame and has a broken extractor. A gunsmith made a new one, but didn't hold up. The way it breaks down is very unusual the interipted thread style of attachment of frame to barrel/ mag tube is seldom seen.
I looked for your video about the patents that you tube are not allowed any more and is not getting any views can’t find it maybe I missed it or it’s not there
Yup. That’s called censorship. Feels more like a violation when it’s done secretly, doesn’t it? Gun stuff is only allowed a certain level of popularity here. Try notifications with alerts and stuff. They seem to remove those less. Throwing down some likes shows them you actually like the content and would notice it’s missing. Not fishing for likes, I promise. It is known among creators to prevent subscription removal.
I own a Wards Western Field model 35. It looks just like your shotgun except I have a cross bolt safety. It is a recent purchase and I have yet to fire it. I have had several 520 and 620's in the past. From memory most were bought for less than $100. My "monkey Ward" model 35 was won with a bid of $100 at an auction. With the auction fees I'm into it $120. Awesome example of American craftsmanship from over 100 years ago.
Yes, these rarely fetch big dollars unless they are mint....and they rarely are! In my opinion, guns like this are one of the best deals in most gun stores.
@@MilsurpGarage Yes you are correct. I was very lucky the last ten years before I retired I was assigned to a customer in the burbs of a very large city. I was a customer service engineer \ AKA field service engineer....A cool old gun shop was located close to the customer I serviced. Found a lot of really good deals there. This gun shop is one of the few things I miss about the big city. I live in the country now.....do not miss the big city anymore except for a few gun shops and the people that worked there.
I posted this before I got through the whole video. You mentioned and had a picture of the Monkey Wards Western Field model 35.....I compared the pics with my shotgun....same same....1938 1939.....My Mom would have been 85 just a few weeks ago....Sept 5, 1939.......A cool gun that was probably being made or in the store when my Mom was coming into the world. Look at world history 1939 had a lot of things going on.
Another well done video BTW, and thanks again for giving some airtime to another neat JM Browning design that likely flies under most people's radar. During my three decades working as a state game warden, I checked an occasional hunter with one of these unique old pump shotguns (typically Grandpa's old gun) and about 99% of the time (you could just expect it) they were usually "unplugged" and the magazine tube could/would hold 4-rounds .... the Migratory Bird Protection Act not yet existing back when most of these shotguns were produced and sold.
With the owner's permission, it was not uncommon to then spend the next 30 mins or so of time trying to fashion a "plug" for the magazine tube, so that the young lad usually carrying it could continue to legally hunt ducks that day. And I always found it fascinating how the two halves of the gun were melded together in a gear-like, take-down design (JM Browning was an absolute genius) ... and could only scratch my head in amazement at the precise machining required to make all of this happen/work. I continue to appreciate YOUR efforts in scouring the local gun shows and pawn shops for unique finds like this and to bring us such interesting content. To me, it's history like this (American History) that makes this hobby so fascinating, and also makes these vintage firearms so much more enjoyable to own, collect, and hunt with. Please continue with your good work, my friend! It's very much appreciated!
It's good to hear someone in your position would help a hunter in this way.
California Game Wardens have been known to confiscate or charge the owner for a crime, or both,for unknowingly using a firearm that wasn't "up to code"
As a career machinist i remain awestruck at the incredible worksmanship on these every day working man's arms. The takedown joint in particular is a thing of beauty.
Check out the Burgess Slide Action Shotgun made by Burgess Gun Co. of Buffalo NY….. Winchester bought them when Browning was still around. Had a large chunk of research on this but decided not to include it. Do you think Browning might have been influenced by that design?
@MilsurpGarage undoubtedly. I'm guessing the sliding interface wasn't patentable for Browning so he was left with the action bar to bolt union.
@@subterfusion4005I’m thinking it was the takedown design he was interested in but had to adapt it to the much higher pressures of smokeless powder…….which, by the looks of it, he didn’t have to do much. A testament to the strength of that design.
Interesting that he seemingly used something technically owned by Winchester at the same time Winchester was struggling to compete with Browning designs that were locked up tight and they couldn’t touch.
John Browning was an amazing guy.
He has stated many times that these designs came to him in FULL......in is dreams.
Honestly at times the patent pages make me go to sleep. This one held my attention, learned alot and thank you for this video presentation. Enjoyed the trap at the end too
JMB definitely preferred that back-hump design on his receivers -- he used it on the Remington Model 8 rifle and the Browning Auto 5 shotgun.
Yes....so much so that he dabbled with DOUBLE hump back receivers!
O, sweet serendipity; that a shotgun design that quite likely would never have been seen became one of the best.
Still an excellent choice .
Better that juast about every other shotgun lining the walls at five times the price.
Definitely learned a lot on the model. Thank you once again on all your reserch. 👍🇺🇸✌🏻🙏🏽😎
Thank you for tuning in once again! There was so much research on this one.....so much left on the cutting room floor......sometimes the hardest part of doing these videos is not what to discuss and cover but what to cut and leave out.
I even had video of some slam fire action going in a game of trap doubles.....I hit one here and one there but couldn't get the double hit needed for my slo-mo slam fire double clay blast. Really wanted that. I did it before years ago with the Winchester Model 12 Heavy Duck but not on video. Most trap ranges put an end to the festivities after one game.......
@@MilsurpGarage always looking for your videos, even though I mostly enjoy the shotgun ones.👍✌🏻🇺🇸🙏🏽😎
Awesome 😀😮😀 Love The Stevens 520 😎👍🏼 Awesome Find
The suicide safety and carrier locking of Riverside Arms prior to the fire in 1922, (Chicopee Falls MA). The end of the Humpback receivers.
Steven's purchase of Riverside and the evolution of the 520 and 620 models with more reliable upper bolt locking.
I REALLY like your style for a Guntube channel!
Thanks for another great firearms video!
What was the barrel external diameter at then muzzle?
I think the butt pad looks correct for a shotgun of that vintage.
If you think about it those guns were expected to most importantly function well. If the butt pad made it better to shoot and adjusted length for the user, I don’t think it’s worth the effort to replace the butt stock to get it back to factory original.
If you’re lucky enough to find an original with matching patina, then why not.
I’ve passed on acquiring guns because of a badly done butt pad replacement and damage, but the one you have looks like a period upgrade.
Ps.. my first real duck hunting shotgun was a Steven’s model 67. It’s on the bottom of a large river, thanks to a Canoe flip while hunting.
Have one! And three 520As
Yes! Affordable enough to build families of these!
@@MilsurpGarage Looking to get a 620 or 620A. Need to get the whole family of trench guns models. Need the 620, 77E and Winchester 1200.
wow i just got one its a riot gun i didnt know it was that old it looks almost new didnt know it broke down either paid 400 thanks for the info
Sounds like you got a great gun.
The 520 was and is a good a pump shotgun as ever made .
Sure is. Thanks for tuning in.
J Stevens was in Chicopee, Mass., at one time the largest gun manufacturer in America. Unfortunately, like Winchester & Marlin, Stevens was greatly damaged by filling WW1 govr contacts, and was unable to recover.
That’s the official story, the real story is a bit more……involved.
I have a Ranger 30 in 16ga and love it.
Really good vid. Thanks
What type of rounds can you use? Is there anything you would steer clear from in a shotgun as old as this?
I trap shoot with my old shotguns and the 7 1/2 or 8 shot shells are pretty mild. I steer clear of the hot shells for sure like slugs or buckshot in high brass.
@ Thanks! I just picked one of these up. It’s a 1920s model I believe. It’s pretty rusty on the outside and inside the barrel. I want to shoot it but I figure it needs some work first. Everything functions as it should though.
My bil has one. His has a few issues. The rear stock is loose on the frame and has a broken extractor. A gunsmith made a new one, but didn't hold up.
The way it breaks down is very unusual the interipted thread style of attachment of frame to barrel/ mag tube is seldom seen.
Yes, it is a very interesting takedown mechanism.
Just a little heads up.... you called it a model 530 in the description.
great video
Thanks for watching!
I have one made in 1915 as far as I can tell with the polychoke on it.
This thing is my favorite right now.
I looked for your video about the patents that you tube are not allowed any more and is not getting any views can’t find it maybe I missed it or it’s not there
Springfield Model 67f - Patent Censorship
ua-cam.com/video/ZIKeu0wv6PM/v-deo.html
Can you do a video on the savage model 69?
This is pretty close…….
Springfield Model 67f
ua-cam.com/video/oq2oGGVLr5k/v-deo.html
I have a 520a US marked riot gun. It has slam fire and open cylinder choke.
Nice.
Have on that’s JC Higgins branded
Love the JC Higgins branded guns!
youtube keeps unsubbing me
Yup. That’s called censorship. Feels more like a violation when it’s done secretly, doesn’t it? Gun stuff is only allowed a certain level of popularity here. Try notifications with alerts and stuff. They seem to remove those less. Throwing down some likes shows them you actually like the content and would notice it’s missing.
Not fishing for likes, I promise. It is known among creators to prevent subscription removal.