Shotguns

It should be marked on left rear of barrel with 1 star is full, 2 stars is mod. and 3 stars and a bar is improved cyl

The Model 335 was made between 1912 and 1935. The "Arms and Tool" part of the company name was dropped in 1915, so yours must have been made 1912-1915.

Yes, Browning did install poly chokes on special order. This is one of my pet peeves about the collectability of Auto 5 shotguns. I hear time and time again, that a poly choke was "Factory Installed". This remark always comes from a dealer or somebody trying to sell their gun. The reason for this comment is that they know that a poly choke decreases the value of a shotgun. If he can convince the buyer it was "Factory installed" then it must be original. I hope the dealers/ Sellers out there read this, because it is mostly inaccurate. Let me explain: The Factory that built the Browning Auto 5 is Fabrique Nationale in Belgium (FN). FN made the guns and they were shipped to Browning's HQ in the US. First it was Ogden Utah then St. Louis Mo. (Most years they were in St. Louis.) From St. Louis the guns were shipped to Gun Shops and Sporting Good Stores based on their orders. In order to special order a shotgun that was not factory specs, the buyer could order from Browning through his local gun shop. These services were typically installing Poly Chokes, Cutts Compensators and Recoil Pads. Special stocks altered to fit the shooter could also be done. Other gunsmithing and repair work was done as well. All of this work was done at the service shop of Browning, not the factory. It should be said that if a poly choke was installed by the Browning shop in St Louis, is it really no different than having a local gunsmith do the same job? Quality control comes to mind, but no matter who did the job, the gun is no longer original. There was never an A5 that was standard with a poly choke. Their service shop would install it for a fee, if the customer ordered it. There is however one gun that was advertised with a cutts compensator, and that was a skeet model with a beavertail forend. Now to the important part. Is it possible to tell if a gun had a poly installed by the Browning Service Shop? Yes it is. You can request from Browning if your gun (by serial number) was ever worked on by Browning. They keep records of all guns that go through their service department. Another way to check, is to unscrew the choke to reveal the collar, just forward of the sight on the choke. If there is a # 11 stamped on the collar, it was Brownings dealer number with the Poly Choke Co. Recoil pads are the same thing. Whats the difference of Brownings service shop installing a recoil pad and a local gunshop? In my humble (ok, so its biased) opinion, a gun with a recoil pad and a poly choke has been under a saw at both ends! It has been altered and is no longer original. I see comments all the time "stock not cut -recoil pad added" (baloney) All recoil pads are flat to the buttstock, but all original browning butt plates are curved. The stock has been cut or sanded flat to install the recoil pad. This is material that can never be relaced. The only A5 shotgun sold as standard with a "Factory" recoil pad is the Magnum 12. Unfortunately, the Blue Book doesn't tell sellers that they should deduct a percentage of the value when a pad or choking device is installed. The bottom, line is that it would be hard to prove that the Browning shop installed this without a letter from Browning stating the work done. Before I get a lot of grief about this, Id like to add that I believe there is nothing bad about these add-ons, they make for improved shooting for many people. My point is that these type of choking devices and pads are not original to the gun and should be valued accordingly, whether the Browning service department installed it or not. I know that many A5 owners will disagree with this, and many will not. My perspective is coming from a Collectors point of view and what it does to the value and the investment an A5 buyer will want to consider. (My disclaimer) There are some exceptions to collecting A5's that include guns with add-ons, but they are unique situations and too numerous to explain here. I'd like to credit H.M. Shirley's book "Browning Auto 5 Shotguns" for the data on the Browning dealer information concerning the Poly Choke Co. this is a must have book for Browning A5 collectors. This is more of an answer than requested by the question, but I believe it will be helpful to answer many questions concerning poly chokes. Thank you.

These were manufactured from 1926 to 1945. If it is marked with both the Savage and Stevens names, it was probably made after 1941.

Remove the forearm stock(by pulling down from the front of it)and look at your serial number which will be imprinted on the bottom side. Along with the serial number there will be a letter. A,B,C,etc. The letter E=1953. D=1952. F=1954 and so on. The value of these guns range from $150 to $250 with the smaller (.410) gauges being worth the most. == J Stevens Arms Co = Used the Springfield name from 1920 until 1948.

More information will be required to answer this question. The serial number would be required to date the gun. There are no factory stampings with the word Germany on it. Do you mean Belgium? Sweet 16's were made in Belgium from 1937-1976 and are valued anywhere between $350 and $2500 depending on year and condition. If it says "Germany" then it is an aftermarket inscription. Thank you

Should have been made sometime between 1931 and 1941. If you really need a more exact date, search other answers for the Stevens Historian's address. All Hat, No Horse, I wondered if it didn't fall somewhere within that timeframe. Could you tell me how you know that? Thanks, Tom This is one of those things I have in my notes but didn't document the source. Stevens introduced this gun as the Model 5000 in the early 1920's, changed the designation to 5100 about 1931, and changed it again about 1941 to the Model 311. Some were marked with both 5100 and 311.

$100-$200, depending on condition. Much less if it is rusted or busted, but not much more even if in nearly new condition.

It would have been manufactured in Belgium sometime between 1880 and 1914 and is worth between $50 and $200 depending on how well it looks over a fireplace. Don't try to shoot it unless it has been checked by a competent gunsmith and follow his recommendation for the proper ammunition because it can't use anything you will buy off the shelf at Walmart.

I am also interested in this question, since I have a similar shotgun numbered 51633. I am unable to find any information.

Sometime between 1920 and 1948.

The Stevens No. 16, also marked Crack Shot, was manufactured between 1900 and 1913.

This gun is not a Superposed model, but a Citori 425 in 20ga. It was made in 1996

this gun was made in 1952 by High Standard for sears .There was a baseless recall by sears on this model by sears they are one of the best bolt action shotguns ever made . they a totally safe and reliable Sears is offering one of there almost worthless gift certificates for the bolt 50 sears bucks is about 100 dollars walmart money for the same products 583 20 was the most improved of the JC Higgins model 10 series they are truly good guns Their has been some limited interest in these guns lately I pay 100 to 150 dollars for them I own many . Gun dealers pay as little as they can for any thing . On the market depending who whants it and its condition it 50 to 150 dollars real dollars not Sears funny money .Dont let yoour old shotgun become a victim of a Sears antigun plot

It would be somewhere between 1893 and 1930.

If it was manufactured after Dec 31, 1968, the serial number will be plainly marked on the receiver. There will be some numbers under the barrels, but they may serial numbers or just batch/lot numbers that will not help identify the date of manufacture. Serial numbers were not required on long arms in the US until 1969.

Manufactured by Meriden Fire Arms Co, 1905-1915, for Sears Roebuck & Co.

563 14 is not a 12 gauge it is 16 gauge it was made in 1948 by high standard in good or better condition should bring between 50 and 125 bucks

excellent 300.00 very good 235.00 nice firearm -- Davidson 63B -- Davidson was an importer of a variety of shotguns, mostly Spanish, during the 1960's. Good utility guns.

Value is too difficult to be accurate without seeing the gun. Condition which includes the amount of original finish and original configuration will determine value. Auto 5's with recoil pads (other than Mag 12's) poly-chokes and compensators will reduce value. Recommend taking it to a gun shop for appraisal.

Would have been made after WW2 through the 1960's. Value up to $250.

I have a Western Field 20 Gauge with a 3 round clip it is a Model 15K. I am currently re-doing this gun and am missing a few parts. Does anyone have a picture schematic of this model? The gun was built by Mossberg for Montgomery Wards. The Model 15 roughly corresponds to the Mossberg Model 80 or 85, but the K suffix on Mossberg normally indicates C-LECT-CHOKE which was not offered until much later in the 185 series. We have a considerable amount of parts for the older Mossberg bolt-action shotguns, so let us know if we can help. www.countrygunsmith.net

Not Much. The Powhatan shotgun, as I understand it, was a "House Brand" shotgun probably made by"Cresent Fire Arms," 1893-1930. To date there are over 100 "House Brand" guns made by "Cresent" that are known about, so the value is not collectible. I have a "Powhatan Arms Co."New Volunteer 12 Ga. that I need a couple of parts for and am having lots of trouble finding anyone who knows about "Powhatan" or "Cresent." Hope I have helped in some way.

The most consistent answer to this question that I have seen is: Shotguns labeled 'Ranger, Patent April 20, 1915, Proof Tested 12 Gauge' were made by Savage/Stevens Firearms and marketed through Montgomery Ward. However, the design may have begin with Springfield

High Standard made the Model 75 for Sears. http://www.histandard.info/PDF/Sears%20Shotguns.pdf