Tell me Info!!!!!!

S

steelersfan0000

New member
I just got this shotgun for free (handed down to me), I dont know anything about shotguns because i am more of a rifle person myself. I was just wanting the whole 9 yards on this gun like how much it is worth who Exactly makes it (??????). Here are the details On the side of the barrel it says J.C. HIGGINS MODEL 20
SEARS.ROEBUCK AND CO.583.55
on the other side it reads
PROOF TESTED-12GA-MOD
2&3/4 CHAMBER I also dont know much about this load so any additional info on the 2&3/4 shot would be great. :confused:
 
2 3/4 is the length of the shell, just dont put anything longer than that in and you will be fine. 12ga. is 12 gauge. mod means modified choke. a good all-around choke. as for the gun i dont know much. made for sears probably not worth much but should be good enough to hunt or something with.
 
The Sears J.C. Higgins Model 20, is actually the High Standard Model 200 pump gun.

Gun Parts Corporation still sell parts for these older guns.

High Standard made good quality, rather "ho-hum" shotguns that worked well.

Value depends entirely on condition, but a gun in about 90% would run from around $150 to $200.
 
My first pump shotgun was a J.C. Higgins. It was sturdy and always worked. I doubt there is any "collector" value to it and they haven't been made in years.
 
J.C. Higgins was a trademark used by Sears, Roebuck, & Company between 1946 and 1962 for shotguns and rifles manufactured by a variety of suppliers. One of my cross-references states that your J.C. Higgins Model 20 12-gauge pump-action shotgun was actually manufactured by High Standard of Connecticut, and corresponds to their Model 200. Unfortunately, this reference does not list any values.

Another reference states that the Sears Model 20 corresponds to the High Standard Flite-King (also a pump-action shotgun, available in 12, 16, 20, 28, and .410 gauges). If this is the same shotgun, then the approximate value for a field-grade gun might range from $165 to $110, depending upon condition.

Regarding the 2.75" chamber reference: this refers to its length, and not to a specific specific shot or load size. For many years the "standard" American shotshell (in most gauges) was 2.75" in length before crimping.

For a quick primer to help you understand the best load for your particular shotgunning needs may I recommend that you visit your local gun shop and pick up copies of the product guides published by the ammunition companies (Winchester, Remington, etc.) While you're there, you might have the shop's gunsmith inspect your heirloom (paying particular attention to the barrel--no bulges, dents, or excessive corrosion) to make certain that it is safe for you to shoot.

Welcome to the ranks of the scatter-gunners! Our world is different from that of the rifle-shooter because a shotgun is pointed, not aimed, and our targets are typically moving; however, I believe that you will find it to be enjoyable.

Good luck, and good shooting!
 
I was also just gifted with an old Higgins 12ga, except mine's a bolt action (of all things, I didn't even know bolt shotguns were made).

In my reading, there was a recall on some Higgins shotguns, but I believe they were the bolt models, not the pump models. It would appear that Sears used 583 to describe all High Standard made firearms.

As others had said, there's no value here, beyond sentimentality. I'm hoping my 583.1101 is safe to use, as I have no intention on selling it back to Sears.
 
Sears not only used the 583 descriptor to identify firearms manufactured by High Standard, but also by H&R and Sako.

Good luck, and good shooting!
 
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