What is the history of the Springfield 20 gauge SXS?

Answer 1

recently inherited one of my grandfather's firearms, which is the earliest that I can recollect him carrying when I first started going along with him on his squirrel hunts. It's nothing special collector-wise, but...of immense value to me. I'd like to know what model it is, and so forth, so as to be able to obtain any parts should it be necessary, and to be able to properly document its history for my heirs. The following is taken from its entry into my firearms inventory database:

"J.Stevens/ Springfield 20 gauge side by side upland style shotgun, double triggers, synthetic brown marbled stock and forend, ramp and bead sight, dual extractor, tang safety, some casecolors remain on frame, ~45-50% barrel blueing remain, Black plastic buttplate. Said to be Modified Choke bored. This shotgun was inherited from my grandfather and grandmother’s estate in 2006. According to my father, my grandfather purchased it new circa late 1940's- early 50's. The shotgun was built before the federal requirement that firearms bear serial numbers, and it appears that it has none. However, I will detail its markings as follows:J.Stevens/ Springfield 20 gauge side by side upland style shotgun, double triggers, synthetic brown marbled stock and forend, solid rib, bead sight, dual extractor, tang safety, some casecolors remain on frame, ~45-50% barrel blueing remain, Black plastic buttplate. Said to be Modified Choke bored. This shotgun was inherited from my grandfather and grandmother’s estate in 2006. According to my father, my grandfather purchased it new circa late 1940's- early 50's. The shotgun was built before the federal requirement that firearms bear serial numbers, and it appears that it has none. However, I will detail its markings as follows:

LH receiver: -SPRINGFIELD- over J.STEVENS ARMS COMPANY over CHICOPEE FALLS, MASS. U.S.A.

Underside receiver, fwd exists a stylized symbol reminiscent of an “hourglass”

RH receiver: 5100

Left barrel chamber, top: PROOF TESTED-20 GAUGE over -2 3/4 INCH CHAMBER-

Right barrel chamber, top: SELECTED FORGED STEEL"

End quote.

As I said at the beginning, this shotgun is in my earliest hunting memories with my grandfather, who was a lifetime avid outdoorsman. I can recall when he started hunting with his "new" Winchester semiauto shotgun that my grandmother later bought for him.

I used to ask him to take the old double barrel instead, which he sometimes agreed to do. I believe that I was 6 or 7 years old at the time, which was more years ago than I care to believe!!

The shotgun does not seem to exhibit a clearcut model number other than "Springfield" and has no apparent serial number either.

My father told me that grandad bought the shotgun new in Moorefield WV, in the late 40's or early 50's. Although the choke on the shotgun barrels is not marked, he believes that they are "modified" choke. Dad says that this shotgun harvested a pickup truck load of turkeys, squirrels, pheasants, and rabbits in its day.

I've given it a cleaning and lubrication, and checked it over for function, and it appears just fine. I'll soon test fire it, and get an idea of how the barrels pattern. It is well used, but not abused, and I expect to squirrel hunt with it this fall. It's a fine family heirloom that I'm happy to have custody of.