Stevens Model 520 Shotgun Serial Numbers
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The History and Evolution of the Stevens Model 520 Shotgun
The Stevens Model 520 was a pump-action shotgun developed by John Browning and originally manufactured by the J Stevens Arms & Tool Company between 1909 and 1916. [^2^] It was a hammerless, take-down design with a tubular magazine that held five shells. The shotgun had a distinctive \"humpback\" double receiver and a round slide release knob on the left side. The trigger housing was retained with three screws and the shell stop was a rocker design with a set screw on the front right side of the receiver. The fore grip was ringed and uniform in size and the butt stock had a rounded pistol grip. [^1^]
The Stevens Model 520 underwent several changes over the years, both externally and internally. In 1913, the slide release knob was replaced by a lever that extended from the front of the trigger guard to the rear of the receiver. The fore grip was also tapered at both ends and the butt stock had a more angular pistol grip. [^1^] In 1916, Stevens was sold to New England Westinghouse and production of civilian firearms was greatly reduced. The company was renamed the \"J Stevens Arms Company\" in 1916 and produced Mosin-Nagant rifles for the Russian Czar during World War I. [^2^]
After the war, Stevens was sold to Savage Arms in 1920 and full production of civilian firearms resumed. [^2^] The Model 520 continued to be produced until 1939, with some minor modifications such as a larger triangle safety, a two-screw trigger housing, a spring-loaded shell stop, and a different fore grip attachment. [^1^] The Model 520 also spawned several variants, such as the Models 522, 525, 530, and 535, which had different barrel lengths, chokes, finishes, and stock options. [^1^] The Model 520 was also sold as a store branded gun under names such as Ranger, JC Higgins, and Western Field. [^1^]
In 1927, Stevens introduced a streamlined version of the Model 520 called the Model 620. [^2^] It had a smooth receiver without the humpback and a shorter slide release lever that was flush with the trigger guard. The fore grip was also more rounded and the butt stock had a semi-pistol grip. The Model 620 was internally similar to the Model 520 and was produced until 1939, when it was replaced by the Model 620A which had some minor improvements such as an enlarged ejection port and a simplified takedown mechanism. [^2^] The Model 620A was produced until 1955 and also had several variants such as the Models 621 and Ranger 30. [^2^]
Both the Model 520 and the Model 620 were used by the US military during World War II and later conflicts. The military versions were designated as M520-30 and M620 respectively and had plain walnut stocks, metal hand guards, sling swivels, bayonet lugs, and US ordnance markings. They were mainly issued to guard units, military police, prison guards, and training facilities. [^2^] [^3^] The M520-30 could also be slam fired: the shotgun had no trigger disconnector and shells could be fired one after another simply by working the slide if the trigger was held down. [^2^]
Stevens produced over 191,000 Model 520-pattern shotguns by the time production ended in 1948. [^2^] They also produced over 35,000 shotguns for the military during World War II, of which 12,174 were M620As. [^3^] The Stevens Model 520/620 shotguns were reliable and robust weapons that reflected John Browning's genius in shotgun design.
References:
[^1^] Stevens 520 Identification Guide Shotgun Forum
[^2^] Stevens Model 520/620 - Wikipedia
[^3^] Stevens Model 520 Shotgun - Historical Firearms 248dff8e21