My father-in-law found an old shotgun behind his mother-in-law's water heater

[brockgl]

So, my father-in-law was at his mother-in-law's house a while back. He was there replacing her water heater. When he pulled the water heater away from the wall, he found a shotgun lying up against the wall behind it. *His* father-in-law likely stored it there, and it's been there ever since he passed away.

The gun was SUPER rusty because of where it had been stored. Also, three-quarters of the wood stock had been cut off, to make it into a pistol grip. But (and this is just an assumption), because the bolt for the wood stock was too long for the modified grip, the remaining grip was mounted to the gun using only electrical tape. The tape was also permanently depressing the slide release, so you could pump the slide in all states.

Further, the safety slider was missing, and the safety stop was just rattling around inside the receiver.

My FIL gave me the gun and asked me if I could fix it up and get it functioning. So, I took it home and did some research to see what could be done. It is a 20-gauge, and the brand is "Western Field", which I hadn't heard of until now. But, I quickly discovered that it was made by Mossberg, and it is essentially just a Mossberg 500 with a few small differences.

Because of that, finding parts was easy. I replaced the janky modified grip with a raptor-style grip. Because it's only a 20-gauge, I figured the recoil wouldn't be too much to handle with this kind of grip. I also took it completely apart, including the trigger-group (which was really sticky), and cleaned and lubed everything. I installed a new safety as well. The new safety actually didn't work when I first installed it. The hammer wouldn't fire even with the safety in the "fire" position. But, I was able to find the worn part that was catching on the safety block, and after de-burring it a bit, the safety now works perfectly. I am assuming this was the reason the safety was removed by my wife's grandpa...

I also took some steel wool to the rusty barrel (and to a few other parts) to remove the surface rust. Almost 100% of the barrel had been covered in surface rust. The internals did not have rust on them, which was awesome. And, the inside of the barrel was also rust-free. So, though I haven't tested it yet, I think will shoot just fine.

I grabbed some 20-gauge snap caps, and it loads, cycles, ejects, and dry-fires smoothly and reliably.

Anyway, here is a picture now that it's cleaned up and functional.

 

[Coyote3855]

Good work, nice save. Going cheap, I'd cold blue that barrel and Alumahyde the receiver. If you are flush, Cerakote it.

 

[jmr40]

That's functional as is. I'd buy a can of krylon and paint everything. It shouldn't be too hard to find a replacement stock for it you want to. I'm not a big fan of pistol grip shotguns.

 

[brockgl]

That's functional as is. I'd buy a can of krylon and paint everything. It shouldn't be too hard to find a replacement stock for it you want to. I'm not a big fan of pistol grip shotguns.

I actually bought both this raptor grip as well as a full-sized polymer stock. I'm going to let my FIL try them both and tell me which he prefers.

 

[.308 Norma]

It is a 20-gauge, and the brand is "Western Field", which I hadn't heard of until now. But, I quickly discovered that it was made by Mossberg, and it is essentially just a Mossberg 500 with a few small differences.

Was "Western Field" a Montgomery Wards line? Just curious. It seems like the 20-gauge bolt action shotgun Dad had was a "Western Field" that he bought at Mongomery Wards.
Good job making it functional again. If it was mine, I'd probably see if I could find an inexpensive stock for it, paint it, and keep it behind the seat in my truck during deer season for the occasional mountain grouse we run across.

 

[troy fairweather]

Good save, I've got a wood 500 butt stock if you need one.

 

[12Bravo20]

Was "Western Field" a Montgomery Wards line? Just curious. It seems like the 20-gauge bolt action shotgun Dad had was a "Western Field" that he bought it at Mongomery Wards.

Yes Western Field was a Montgomery Wards line. Though it will depend on the exact rifle or shotgun on who actually made them for Montgomery Ward. Most of the Western Field shotguns were made by either Mossberg or Savage with a few from Marlin and Winchester.

 

[brockgl]

Good save, I've got a wood 500 butt stock if you need one.

Just DMed you. I would love to be able to put this gun back to all wood. Thank you very much for offering this!

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

So, my father-in-law was at his mother-in-law's house a while back. He was there replacing her water heater. When he pulled the water heater away from the wall, he found a shotgun lying up against the wall behind it. *His* father-in-law likely stored it there, and it's been there ever since he passed away.

The gun was SUPER rusty because of where it had been stored. Also, three-quarters of the wood stock had been cut off, to make it into a pistol grip. But (and this is just an assumption), because the bolt for the wood stock was too long for the modified grip, the remaining grip was mounted to the gun using only electrical tape. The tape was also permanently depressing the slide release, so you could pump the slide in all states.

Further, the safety slider was missing, and the safety stop was just rattling around inside the receiver.

My FIL gave me the gun and asked me if I could fix it up and get it functioning. So, I took it home and did some research to see what could be done. It is a 20-gauge, and the brand is "Western Field", which I hadn't heard of until now. But, I quickly discovered that it was made by Mossberg, and it is essentially just a Mossberg 500 with a few small differences.

Because of that, finding parts was easy. I replaced the janky modified grip with a raptor-style grip. Because it's only a 20-gauge, I figured the recoil wouldn't be too much to handle with this kind of grip. I also took it completely apart, including the trigger-group (which was really sticky), and cleaned and lubed everything. I installed a new safety as well. The new safety actually didn't work when I first installed it. The hammer wouldn't fire even with the safety in the "fire" position. But, I was able to find the worn part that was catching on the safety block, and after de-burring it a bit, the safety now works perfectly. I am assuming this was the reason the safety was removed by my wife's grandpa...

I also took some steel wool to the rusty barrel (and to a few other parts) to remove the surface rust. Almost 100% of the barrel had been covered in surface rust. The internals did not have rust on them, which was awesome. And, the inside of the barrel was also rust-free. So, though I haven't tested it yet, I think will shoot just fine.

I grabbed some 20-gauge snap caps, and it loads, cycles, ejects, and dry-fires smoothly and reliably.

Anyway, here is a picture now that it's cleaned up and functional.

View attachment 1163680

Nice! I'd leave it as is, after all, people pay good money to paint fake patina on their ARs... Yours is free99. It is compatible with chokes? Or is it a fixed bore?

 

[brockgl]

Nice! I'd leave it as is, after all, people pay good money to paint fake patina on their ARs... Yours is free99. It is compatible with chokes? Or is it a fixed bore?

These are my thoughts, exactly! There is a point where genuine age and wear actually adds to the charm.

Also, this one has a fixed bore.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

These are my thoughts, exactly! There is a point where genuine age and wear actually adds to the charm.

Also, this one has a fixed bore.

Ahh dang, do you have any idea what bore size? I'd guess cylinder... I head there's a trick to finding the size of a 12ga I think you use a a quarter or something? I forget... Idk if that translates to 20ga lol.

 

[Roverguy]

Cool and nice save.

I would imagine that it’s been cut back and will therefore will not be choked. If there’s enough material in the barrel wall, you can have it threaded for the choke design of your pleasure (@$65) but for a defensive shotgun, cyl bore is fine.

 

[Blue Brick]

There was nothing behind my mother's water heater except for mouse poop.

 

[vanfunk]

I’d leave it just as it is and call it “Lazarus!” You’ve done great work breathing new life into that battle axe. I love it and I’ll bet it’s not too bad to fire in 20 gauge with that raptor grip.

 

[12Bravo20]

Bird head grips are not bad to shoot when using the right technique. The way I was taught to use these types of weapons is to use the push/pull method where you hold it out at arms length while pushing with the support hand and pulling lightly with the shooting hand.

 

[SCgman]

Reminds me back in 1989 my inlaws asked me to check on a leak around their chimney after hurricane hugo passed by.

Noticed an old sxs shotgun in the attic leaning up against the chimney flue. Metal was all pitted with rust from years of humidity. I could still make out the manufacturer and model....


Winchester Model 21.. ....

 

[herrwalther]

I never get lucky and find firearms behind walls. I don't care if I find a beater or a rare heirloom. Good find. I would clean it up and see if it were functional. If the barrel and receiver are steel, I would Parkerize it for a tough and reliable finish.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Reminds me back in 1989 my inlaws asked me to check on a leak around their chimney after hurricane hugo passed by.

Noticed an old sxs shotgun in the attic leaning up against the chimney flue. Metal was all pitted with rust from years of humidity. I could still make out the manufacturer and model....


Winchester Model 21.. ....

A Model 21? Is it saveable?

 

[Jeff62]

Gun resurrections are some of my favorite projects. You did a good job. My vote is all wood and leave the metal looking as is.

 

[richhodg66]

Won't take much to make that a useful gun again. More Mossberg 500s out there than just about any other shotgun ever made. Parts abound.

 

[Beck]

Just kidding (sorta) But man, if serial numbers could talk, and they can, I wonder what story that shotgun could tell... where it was originally stolen from, the unsolved murders, etc. Intriguing, ain't it?

 

[richhodg66]

When you do finish up with however you plan to make that shotgun, please post a few "after" pictures. I think you found a diamond in the rough.

A man really can't have too many shotguns. I kind of like single shot ones myself, but a "behind the barn door" gun is something everybody needs.

 

[doubleh]

Was "Western Field" a Montgomery Wards line? Just curious. It seems like the 20-gauge bolt action shotgun Dad had was a "Western Field" that he bought at Mongomery Wards.
Good job making it functional again. If it was mine, I'd probably see if I could find an inexpensive stock for it, paint it, and keep it behind the seat in my truck during deer season for the occasional mountain grouse we run across.

Yes it was and the company was commonly called "Monkey Wards" around my neck of the bushes. They made nothing but what they sold was almost always good quality. The company I worked for bought them when they encountered financial difficulty. The person they put in charge turned them around and made them profitable again. Then they sent him to another job instead of leaving him in charge and his replacement ran them into the ground again and they were sold and soon disappeared. I own a Western Field 30-06 that is a rather nice rifle. On the bottom of the action it is stamped "Hyme"or "Hyem". It's been a long time since I have had the action out of the stock so I have forgotten the spelling. Anyway, I thought it was probably a product of the German company with that name as it's built on a '98 Mauser action and it's full length stock is European walnut. It is also light weight and kicked the snot out of me shooting off a bench. I never noticed that hunting except for the three times it gave a serious case of scope eye with the 4 X scope I had on it for a time. I took care of that that with a 3 X 9 with better eye relief.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

That's a cool find!

 

[mac66]

I bought an old Westernfield 12 ga at a police auction for $20. ga. It had a long adjustable choke barrel. This was back when you could buy a barrel off of ebay for less than $100. I picked up an 18" bbl and a can of Bar b que grill paint and a Maverick 88 plastic stock set.

Made it from this....


To this...


20 years later I still use that shotgun as my primary HD gun and swap the barrels around to use it for birds, rabbits, turkey and deer.