Savage Model 220 question

[M-Rex]

Mr. Nolden,

I recently aquired a Savage Model 220 and I am researching it's history.

The barrel is marked with the following:

Left Side, barrel:

SAVAGE
Savage Arms Corporation
Utica, New York, U.S.A.
MODEL 220

Right Side, barrel:

PROOF TESTED 12 GUAGE
2 3/4 INCH CHAMBER

Left Side, receiver:

Stylized 'Flying Bomb' proof mark
US approx. 1/4" lettering just above the front of the trigger guard

Right Side, receiver:

Small square proof mark next to barrel cut-out.

The barrel end it threaded/slotted to form an integral choke. A cap threads on and is marked as follows:

"The Poly Choke Co. - Hartford Conn. - Patented"
"Single Turn"

The cap is further deliniated around the base:

1, IMP. CYL, 3, MOD., 5, FULL

The person I aquired it from stated that it was an old US Navy training shotgun that was used to train Navy gunners how to lead targets with anti-aircraft guns.

There are no other markings/serial numbers anywhere on the shotgun. The blue is in about 90% condition, and the wood is solid, un-nicked, and smooth. The original rubber buttplate/recoil pad is intact.

Do you have any information as to the history of this shotgun, or it's origins?

 

[Jagermeister]

Are you sure it is a 220? I can't find a 220, however there is a 520. Does it look similar to the attached?

JM

 

[M-Rex]

Somewhat similar, but it is a single-shot, break-open shotgun.

 

[BADUNAME7]

The Blue Book lists a Savage model 220 single barrel made from 1938 through 1965. a 220P was the same gun with a poly Choke, a 220 AC was the same gun with a Savage adjustable choke

in 90% condition, the Blue Book values the 220P at $45.

 

[M-Rex]

The Blue Book lists a Savage model 220 single barrel made from 1938 through 1965. a 220P was the same gun with a poly Choke, a 220 AC was the same gun with a Savage adjustable choke

in 90% condition, the Blue Book values the 220P at $45.

Excellent! I'm not so much concerned about it's relative value, as I am at the history of the piece. I'd like to verify if it was an actual training shotgun.

Thank you for finding that.

 

[Sunray]

"...Stylized 'Flying Bomb' proof mark. US approx. 1/4" lettering just above the front of the trigger guard..." If nothing else, that is a U.S. Army Ordnance acceptance stamp. I've seen a list of makes and models of the shotguns used by the U.S. military someplace. Where I saw it is another question.

 

[M-Rex]

"...Stylized 'Flying Bomb' proof mark. US approx. 1/4" lettering just above the front of the trigger guard..." If nothing else, that is a U.S. Army Ordnance acceptance stamp. I've seen a list of makes and models of the shotguns used by the U.S. military someplace. Where I saw it is another question.

I am making an assumption that it is a stylized 'flying bomb'. What it is, is a circle, with the outline of what looks like a flame (as if someone took a diamond and stretched it into a mild 'S' shape) above it, touching the top of the circle. I've seen several different versions of the real 'flying bomb'. I believe this is a very simplified version of it.

It looks extremely close to the one pictured here.

 

[Jim K]

The Blue Book says, "Stevens Single and Double Barrel Military Shotguns - These guns were procured by the government from distributors and gun dealers. "U.S." and oversize flaming bomb hand stamped on left side of receiver."

Single barrel values range from $750 for 98% down to $250 for 60%. No value is given for 100%, as all were apparently issued and used.

Note that the writer specifically says "Stevens", but Stevens was a part of Savage and the same guns were made under both names, so the procurement of similar Savage guns would be quite possible. But also note that when a large premium is involved, military markings can sometimes appear by magic on otherwise nondescript civilian guns.

Jim

 

[M-Rex]

I will take pictures of the shotgun tomorrow and figure out how to post them.

The markings look like the real deal.

 

[M-Rex]

The Blue Book says, "Stevens Single and Double Barrel Military Shotguns - These guns were procured by the government from distributors and gun dealers. "U.S." and oversize flaming bomb hand stamped on left side of receiver."

Single barrel values range from $750 for 98% down to $250 for 60%. No value is given for 100%, as all were apparently issued and used.

Note that the writer specifically says "Stevens", but Stevens was a part of Savage and the same guns were made under both names, so the procurement of similar Savage guns would be quite possible. But also note that when a large premium is involved, military markings can sometimes appear by magic on otherwise nondescript civilian guns.

Jim

This sounds very similar to mine, but it is stamped 'Savage' on the side, and has no serial number.

 

[Jim K]

Prior to the passage of GCA '68, rimfire rifles and shotguns did not need serial numbers. Due to the cost of the numbering and accompanying record keeping, most makers numbered only handguns (required by many state laws) and the higher priced shotguns and small bore rifles (Winchester 52's were numbered for example). Savage did not number many of their guns, so the absence of a serial number is to be expected.

BTW, guns made without serial numbers before the law was passed are exempt; possession and sale remains legal.

Jim

 

[monroe731]

I recently received a Savage 220 from my father. On the butt of the stock there is the "U.S." stamp along with the flaming bomb. Any idea if this was done towards the beginning or the end of the production run???