J. Stevens 620 (Military?) (pics)

[steelhead]

I was just given an old shotgun for helping someone move to a different house. The shotgun is in fairly good condition but seems a little odd. There is a choke/muzzle brake(?) that is threaded in the end of the barrel. There are also some markings that lead me to believe it was a military shotgun. Serial # is 16XXX.

If anyone has any info on the Stevens and when they were made and if they were used in service - I would appreciate it.

 

[Jim K]

Both the 620 and the 520 were bought by the U.S. and issued primarily to guards and the like. There were "Trench gun" versions of both with a handguard and bayonet attachment, but most were in the plain 20" barrel "Riot Gun" configuration. Those guns sold for around $18 surplus; a 620 Trench Gun in top original condition can bring $3000 or so, a Riot Gun around $900.

Yours was likely the Riot Gun version, with the plain barrel. The PolyChoke was installed in civilian life by a gunsmith, a common way to make a hunting gun out of one with a 20" cylinder bore barrel.

Jim