Stevens Model 620 riot

N

nhetzer

Inactive
Hello all,
I just lucked into a a Stevens Model 620 riot gun. The serial number is 215**.
I have not been able to find a whole lot of information on the serial numbers in terms of production dates except vague ranges. From what I have read I believe it is a WWII production, though I was hoping to find a little more specific information. Does anyone know of a data base similar to the Remington one that lists production dates by serial number? Any information anyone can pass along on these shotguns would be much appreciated. (Already read the Bruce Canfield write ups though) Thanks everyone!

Cheers
 
Can't help you with the info you are looking for, but I just want to give you this caveat: Try not to dry fire the gun as the 520 and 620 are notorious for breaking firing pins.
 
I'm curious about the serial #. I have my father's 620 and it doesn't have a serial # unless military shotguns are different.
 
Ah, good to know. I'm not in the habit of dry firing any of my weapons but those little nuances are good to know.

Steveno, mine says "620" on the receiver but it is actually a "620A" from what I understand. Apparently the 620 came out, then the 620A came out as an improved model and the military got most of them under contract. At some point during later production, the "A" was dropped off even though it was the "620A" variation. This causes a lot of confusion among collectors as you can imagine. This is all info from Bruce Canfield's shotgun book. So that may be the difference between my gun and yours, even though they are both "620's". But I will say it sounds strange that you shotgun would not have a serial number. There are only a few places you can see the serial on one of these. And only one is visible when the gun is not apart. It is on the the bottom of the receiver.
 
If it was a GI riot gun or trench gun it will have ordnance stamps on the receiver (left side). Canfield doesn't list a serial number range for 620A riot guns that I see.

The serial number list for 620A trench guns is:

7100- 9200
17000- 33000
(Complete Guide To US Military Combat Shotguns)

If it's a trench gun with the handguard/bayonet adaptor removed, it will have the three transverse grooves for the mounting screws in the underside of the barrel forward of the magazine tube. It'll also have a rear sling swivel in the stock, if the stock is original. See http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=146217585 for trench gun pics (complete), http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=146374757 is interesting because of the stock but I see no ordnance stamps in the pictures

hth,

lpl
 
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I think the reason my 620 doesn't have a serial # is that it was made a long time before 1968 when serial #'s became mandatory.
 
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