Here's a little bit of info:
http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-137115.html
http://www.joesalter.com/detail.php?f_qryitem=7725
http://www.e-gunparts.com/products_new.asp?CatID=5579
From this site:
http://www.pmulcahy.com/pump-action_shotguns/us_pa_shotguns_s-z.htm :
Notes: First appearing in 1958 in 12 gauge as a long-barreled sporting shotgun, the Model 30 later appeared in 20 gauge and .410 gauge. The design was also licensed by Springfield and sold by them as the Model 67, and by Stevens (which itself later became a subsidiary of Savage Firearms) as the Model 77, both of which were nearly identical to the Savage 30. Therefore, this particular shotgun can also be found with names like the Savage-Stevens 77 and Savage-Stevens 30. For the most part, the Savage, Springfield, and Stevens guns were virtually identical in appearance and functioning (differences were mostly cosmetic and related to the finish) and may be regarded as identical for game purposes. As with most shotguns of this time period, metalwork was largely steel, feed was by a 4-round tubular magazine, and woodwork was of mid-quality walnut. Barrels were 26, 28, or 30 inches; choke was fixed, but barrels could be ordered with Cylindrical, Modified, or Full Choke. Sling swivels were optional. Original models had no sights of any kind, but later an optional front bead was added near the muzzle.
After the Savage-Stevens merger, the company produced a 20-inch-barrel police version, the
Model 69R (also known as the Police Riot Gun), and a military version, the
Model 77E. Both of these were virtually identical, with the
Model 69R having a shiny finish for its metalwork, while the Model 77E had dull metalwork. The Model 77E at first got no military orders, but the US military found itself short of shotguns early in the Vietnam War, particularly for issue to militia and village defense forces loyal to the South Vietnamese government. In addition, some troops purchased the Model 77E on their own dime for use in Vietnam.
The Model 77E in particular, and even to some extent the Model
69R, suffered from one large complaint – the small size of its tubular magazine. In addition, there were also complaints that both weapons were a bit too long, particularly the Model 77E. This resulted in the Savage
69-RXL, unfortunately not introduced until 1982. Also known as the Stevens
68-RXL, the Model
69-RXL shortened the barrel to 18.24 inches, extends the magazine to near the end of the muzzle, adds a ventilated rubber recoil pad, strengthens the receiver and bore to allow the use of 3-inch shells, and makes the bead front sight standard. The optional sling swivels also became standard, and were in addition made quick-detachable. The barrel generally has a fixed Cylindrical choke. Metalwork finish is dull metal or Parkerized, and the wooden stock is usually finished dark. Today, the Model
69-RXL is in use by many police departments in the US, and is considered a substitute standard in the US military.
