Magazine Extension Tubes on Shotguns-First Example

[sinatra_swings]

I'm conducting some research on old school pump-action shotguns from the early twentieth century, and I'm surprised to find almost no examples of shotguns with extended magazines from before the 1960s. Does anyone know of early Winchester or Ithaca shotguns from the 1920s-1950s that had these extended magazine tube modifications?

 

[dfariswheel]

Back in those days most shotgun designs wouldn't allow installation of an extension.
It was only when guns like the open ended magazine tube of the Remington 870 were available that extension tubes started to become available.
Even after the 870 was marketed, most guns still were not designed to accept an extension.
As example the popular Mossberg Model 500 can't take an extension. It can be modified by replacing the barrel and magazine tube, but can't use an extension on the existing gun.

As far as I know, the first mass produced magazine extension was the original invented by Remington for the 870 as part of a military development program, then sold to the police. back in the early 1950's.

Another case is the Ithaca Model 37. Due to the design no extension can be used. The first Ithaca that had a longer magazine was custom built by the US Navy Weapons Lab at China Lake California for US Navy SEAL James "Patches" Watson during the Vietnam War.
Ithaca later started making Model 37's with longer magazines.

 

[AI&P Tactical]

The Wheel is correct again as usual. If you look at the Remington tube extension you will notice the end is smaller then the tube. That was for the bayonet guard to slip over it. They kept that same design all these years for no other reason then it has no affect on capacity. They found a market in Law Enforcement for the extended capacity shotguns. Till a few years ago the Remington Extensions were Law Enforcment restricted item on the parts list. The restriction was just lifted in last two years.

 

[rcmodel]

There were early examples of the Browning A-5 made with extended magazines for police & prison guard use.
I believe also Remington Model 11's possibly.

http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/be/browning-auto-5-e.html

Back then though, folks just couldn't imagine getting into a fight they needed half a box of shells in a gun to end the fight inside thier own home.

I still believe that to be the case.

Today's huge mag tubes only slow you down on the first shot.
Which should be the only one needed to end a fight inside a house in the first place.

If you need 8 or more rounds inside your house to stop anyone that comes through the door?

You probably don't get out and practice near enough!

rc

 

[Fred Fuller]

The earliest extended magazines I know of were used by market hunters, practically as soon as repeating shotguns became widely available, around the turn of the previous century. Other early adapters of extended magazines were old time LEOs.

During Ab’s stories, he indicated that his gang thought punts to be not very efficient, as they preferred the Model 12, seven-shot pump gun or extended magazines on Browning A-5s. Either way, “water volleys” were followed by wing shots and hasty cripple cleanup. -- http://www.wildfowlmag.com/destinations_wf_1107_03.html

I've seen pictures, I'll see if I can find one/some.

Pic at http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=128173

ETA: See http://www.remingtonsociety.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4103
Discussion, no pics...