I sometimes feel really old. Bolt action shotguns were all over some 40-50 years ago. Mossberg, Marlin-Glenfield, and Savage-Stevens made them by the ton. They were inexpensive, reasonably reliable and as accurate as any other shotgun. The bolt actions were usually a bit rough, but they did the job.
I think the first bolt action shotguns were those made in Germany after WWI, by converting surplus Mauser rifles into 2-3 shot bolt-action 12 gauge shotguns. Mossberg came out with one in the 1930's, but IIRC, the other makers didn't bring them out until after WWII.
Most have probably been junked by this time, mainly because the cheap magazines broke or were lost and even 20 years ago were impossible to obtain.
Jim
I think the first bolt action shotguns were those made in Germany after WWI, by converting surplus Mauser rifles into 2-3 shot bolt-action 12 gauge shotguns. Mossberg came out with one in the 1930's, but IIRC, the other makers didn't bring them out until after WWII.
Most have probably been junked by this time, mainly because the cheap magazines broke or were lost and even 20 years ago were impossible to obtain.
Jim