Stevens 520a jc higgins help please

Kingmoe89 · February 6, 2012, 09:40 PM

I would really appreciate any help anyone would have identifyin a gun i just bought.i found out its a stevens 520 but on the side its stampped jc higgins 102.25 can anyone tell me when it was made by chance its a 16 guage pump its in rough shape and i paid 150 for it did i over pay

Dave McC · February 7, 2012, 02:30 PM

520s were a JMB design, and are super durable and well made. Unless it's a pathetic mass of rust and rot, $150 is reasonable.

In your shoes, I'd take this old warhorse to see Mr Gunsmith for a checkover, detail strip and deep clean. Like most JMB designs, it's not user friendly in there. Let someone who knows do the hard part.

You get the fun. After the Smith OKs the thing for 2 3/4" shells, go shoot it a lot. Note the smooth shuck and bank vault lockup. Note the satisfying number of targets that fall into pieces or die quickly.

520s, brand name or not, are good shotguns. Enjoy.....

Kingmoe89 · February 7, 2012, 06:19 PM

Thank you for your info do you know what years they were made and can they shoot slugs i didnt no if slugs were to much for it 2 handle or not and i dont wanna find out the hard way with guns lol

Lee Lapin · February 8, 2012, 01:31 PM

The 520's patent was filed 10 July 1903 and sold by Browning to Stevens. The shotguns went into production in 1904. This was Browning's second pump shotgun patent, the first was the Winchester 1893, which evolved into the 1897. Like Dave said, unless you're really good, leave the inside of the receiver on this one to a gunsmith.

The 520 stayed in production (with various modifications to the safety location, action release location and receiver shape) until 1932. Older 520s have a 'double hump' receiver that reminds me a lot of the BAR, newer ones, the 520-30s, are 'square backs' like the current H&R Pardner Pump.

Neat shotguns... usually cheaper with MonkeyWard markings, but 150 does not seem too bad for one in good mechanical shape.

If you want the same basic action and takedown system in a newer gun, look for a Stevens 620 with the streamlined receiver.

Dave McC · February 8, 2012, 02:14 PM

It will handle slugs OK, though best accuracy may be compromised with a full choke.

While it's at the smith's, have him/her check the chamber length. Some of the older ones may take 2 1/2" shells only.

Kingmoe89 · February 8, 2012, 04:10 PM

Mine is the old square reciever not the double hump which id really like lol but thank you all i no now that its no newer that 1932 or so thanks for all the help

Kingmoe89 · February 8, 2012, 04:18 PM

If you dont mind me askin what is a monkey ward marking

Kingmoe89 · February 8, 2012, 09:31 PM

O here is a picture this is my favorite gun i got that day its rough but i like it for some reason

Txhillbilly · February 8, 2012, 10:12 PM

I have a Westernfield/520 sold by Montgomery Wards.I was told that mine was made in 1933-34.It also has an original Poly-choke on the barrel.
These shotguns also break-down.If you unscrew the magazine tube,it unlocks the cam-lock mechanism on the receiver,and the magazine tube and barrel can be slide out from the bottom of the receiver.You have to jiggle the forearm to get the action rod to release from the bolt,and then slide the forearm back forward.
This gun is built like a tank,and is very strong,as are most of J M Browning designed firearms.

Lee Lapin · February 9, 2012, 10:14 AM

MonkeyWard = Montgomery Ward

Old rural slang...

Kingmoe89 · February 18, 2012, 07:25 PM

Iv been lookin all over for a serian nuber for this gun and can not find one can anyone tell me where I can find the serial numbers on it please

Lee Lapin · February 19, 2012, 12:00 AM

Before 1968, many 'working class' firearms in the US didn't have serial numbers. Yours is likely one of those...

February 6, 2012, 09:40 PM	#1
Kingmoe89 Member Join Date: February 6, 2012 Posts: 30	Stevens 520a jc higgins help please I would really appreciate any help anyone would have identifyin a gun i just bought.i found out its a stevens 520 but on the side its stampped jc higgins 102.25 can anyone tell me when it was made by chance its a 16 guage pump its in rough shape and i paid 150 for it did i over pay

February 8, 2012, 01:31 PM	#4
Lee Lapin Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2004 Location: SE NC Posts: 1,239	The 520's patent was filed 10 July 1903 and sold by Browning to Stevens. The shotguns went into production in 1904. This was Browning's second pump shotgun patent, the first was the Winchester 1893, which evolved into the 1897. Like Dave said, unless you're really good, leave the inside of the receiver on this one to a gunsmith. The 520 stayed in production (with various modifications to the safety location, action release location and receiver shape) until 1932. Older 520s have a 'double hump' receiver that reminds me a lot of the BAR, newer ones, the 520-30s, are 'square backs' like the current H&R Pardner Pump. Neat shotguns... usually cheaper with MonkeyWard markings, but 150 does not seem too bad for one in good mechanical shape. If you want the same basic action and takedown system in a newer gun, look for a Stevens 620 with the streamlined receiver. __________________ Mindset - Skillset - Toolset. In that order! Attitude and skill will get you through times of no gear, better than gear will get you through times of no attitude and no skill.

February 9, 2012, 10:14 AM	#10
Lee Lapin Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2004 Location: SE NC Posts: 1,239	MonkeyWard = Montgomery Ward Old rural slang... __________________ Mindset - Skillset - Toolset. In that order! Attitude and skill will get you through times of no gear, better than gear will get you through times of no attitude and no skill.

February 18, 2012, 07:25 PM	#11
Kingmoe89 Member Join Date: February 6, 2012 Posts: 30	Serial numbers? Iv been lookin all over for a serian nuber for this gun and can not find one can anyone tell me where I can find the serial numbers on it please

February 19, 2012, 12:00 AM	#12
Lee Lapin Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2004 Location: SE NC Posts: 1,239	Before 1968, many 'working class' firearms in the US didn't have serial numbers. Yours is likely one of those... __________________ Mindset - Skillset - Toolset. In that order! Attitude and skill will get you through times of no gear, better than gear will get you through times of no attitude and no skill.

February 7, 2012, 02:30 PM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	520s were a JMB design, and are super durable and well made. Unless it's a pathetic mass of rust and rot, $150 is reasonable. In your shoes, I'd take this old warhorse to see Mr Gunsmith for a checkover, detail strip and deep clean. Like most JMB designs, it's not user friendly in there. Let someone who knows do the hard part. You get the fun. After the Smith OKs the thing for 2 3/4" shells, go shoot it a lot. Note the smooth shuck and bank vault lockup. Note the satisfying number of targets that fall into pieces or die quickly. 520s, brand name or not, are good shotguns. Enjoy.....

February 7, 2012, 06:19 PM	#3
Kingmoe89 Member Join Date: February 6, 2012 Posts: 30	Thank you for your info do you know what years they were made and can they shoot slugs i didnt no if slugs were to much for it 2 handle or not and i dont wanna find out the hard way with guns lol

February 8, 2012, 02:14 PM	#5
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	It will handle slugs OK, though best accuracy may be compromised with a full choke. While it's at the smith's, have him/her check the chamber length. Some of the older ones may take 2 1/2" shells only.

February 8, 2012, 04:10 PM	#6
Kingmoe89 Member Join Date: February 6, 2012 Posts: 30	Mine is the old square reciever not the double hump which id really like lol but thank you all i no now that its no newer that 1932 or so thanks for all the help

February 8, 2012, 04:18 PM	#7
Kingmoe89 Member Join Date: February 6, 2012 Posts: 30	If you dont mind me askin what is a monkey ward marking

February 8, 2012, 10:12 PM	#9
Txhillbilly Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2008 Posts: 512	I have a Westernfield/520 sold by Montgomery Wards.I was told that mine was made in 1933-34.It also has an original Poly-choke on the barrel. These shotguns also break-down.If you unscrew the magazine tube,it unlocks the cam-lock mechanism on the receiver,and the magazine tube and barrel can be slide out from the bottom of the receiver.You have to jiggle the forearm to get the action rod to release from the bolt,and then slide the forearm back forward. This gun is built like a tank,and is very strong,as are most of J M Browning designed firearms.