Dad's old shotties -- Any info?

snevensmores · June 14, 2008, 02:45 PM

Hey everyone, I usually stick to handguns and rifles, and I'm not familiar with shotguns, so I could use some input. I'm just wondering if you all have any info on two shotguns that my dad has.

The first was purchased when he was 13 (1957). It's a Mossberg model 185K-B 20ga bolt action. There is no serial number on it (or maybe I just couldn't find it). It still works great to thinning out the nuisance I think he and my grandpa paid $39 for it brand new back then. Are bolt action shotguns rare? I'm new to shotties and have never seen another bolt.

The second shottie my dad inherited when my grandpa passed away. He took it to a 'smith probably 10 years ago to get it back in shooting condition (I think that he had to replace an extractor). It's in absolutely great shape otherwise, and I assume that it would fire just fine, but Dad isn't much of a shooter and hasn't tried it out. It's a 12ga Remington Sportsman 48, serial # 3074022.

Any info on these guns, what they're worth, etc.? And any idea on when the Remington semi-auto was produced?

Red_Eagle · June 14, 2008, 03:49 PM

The mossberg isn't rare. In good shape its worth about a $100. I have the 185D. Mossberg didnt use serial numbers prior to enactment of the federal firearms act of 1968.

johnwilliamson062 · June 14, 2008, 03:49 PM

best way to get a decent price on them is to see what they have sold for on gunbroker.com

Jim Watson · June 14, 2008, 04:17 PM

The Remington Sportsman 48 was made from 1949 til 1959.
There should be a two or three letter date code on the left side of the barrel near the breech. See at
http://www.remingtonsociety.com/ques...ACKPOWDERX.htm

snevensmores · June 15, 2008, 01:48 PM

Thanks for your replies, everyone! Just to clarify -- I wasn't looking to sell the guns. I just wanted a little history and to know how much they're actually worth.

Next time I'm up to my parent's house, I'll check for that date code on the left side of the barrel.

King Ghidora · June 16, 2008, 11:37 AM

I have a 185K-A 20 gauge. They're great shotguns if you can live with the bolt action. They were made in the early 1950's and other than getting mine re-blued and replacing the trigger guard that somehow got lost when my dad owned it I've had zero problems with it. They were never expensive guns. My dad bought the one I have from my uncle for $5 in the early 1960's. It was a family type deal but you get the picture. I wouldn't part with mine for anything because my dad gave it to me. I've used it for varmit control for many years but I have other shotguns that do that chore now. Mostly mine just sits and collects dust (I'm working on restoring a gun cabinet). But I would expect it to fire every time I pulled the trigger if I wanted to shoot it more often. To be honest I probably haven't shot more than a couple of boxes of shells through it in the 25 years or more I've owned it. I have always wanted to keep it in good shape so I didn't use it much. I've been more of a rifle and pistol guy myself too.

It's still pretty easy to find parts for these guns. I bought the trigger guard for mine a few years back.

June 14, 2008, 02:45 PM	#1
snevensmores Member Join Date: January 9, 2008 Location: IL Posts: 89	Dad's old shotties -- Any info? Hey everyone, I usually stick to handguns and rifles, and I'm not familiar with shotguns, so I could use some input. I'm just wondering if you all have any info on two shotguns that my dad has. The first was purchased when he was 13 (1957). It's a Mossberg model 185K-B 20ga bolt action. There is no serial number on it (or maybe I just couldn't find it). It still works great to thinning out the nuisance I think he and my grandpa paid $39 for it brand new back then. Are bolt action shotguns rare? I'm new to shotties and have never seen another bolt. The second shottie my dad inherited when my grandpa passed away. He took it to a 'smith probably 10 years ago to get it back in shooting condition (I think that he had to replace an extractor). It's in absolutely great shape otherwise, and I assume that it would fire just fine, but Dad isn't much of a shooter and hasn't tried it out. It's a 12ga Remington Sportsman 48, serial # 3074022. Any info on these guns, what they're worth, etc.? And any idea on when the Remington semi-auto was produced? __________________ CZ 75B 9mm Duo Tone, Ruger 22/45 5.5" Bull Barrel .22, Savage Mark II .22LR, M44 Mosin Nagant, Remington 870 12ga Super Mag GO CARDS!

June 14, 2008, 03:49 PM	#2
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	The mossberg isn't rare. In good shape its worth about a $100. I have the 185D. Mossberg didnt use serial numbers prior to enactment of the federal firearms act of 1968. __________________ My Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 270 Win, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Winchester magnum, 7.62x39mm, 380 Auto, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, 45 GAP, 45 Auto, 12 & 20 Guage

June 15, 2008, 01:48 PM	#5
snevensmores Member Join Date: January 9, 2008 Location: IL Posts: 89	Thanks for your replies, everyone! Just to clarify -- I wasn't looking to sell the guns. I just wanted a little history and to know how much they're actually worth. Next time I'm up to my parent's house, I'll check for that date code on the left side of the barrel. __________________ CZ 75B 9mm Duo Tone, Ruger 22/45 5.5" Bull Barrel .22, Savage Mark II .22LR, M44 Mosin Nagant, Remington 870 12ga Super Mag GO CARDS!

June 14, 2008, 03:49 PM	#3
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	best way to get a decent price on them is to see what they have sold for on gunbroker.com

June 14, 2008, 04:17 PM	#4
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,541	The Remington Sportsman 48 was made from 1949 til 1959. There should be a two or three letter date code on the left side of the barrel near the breech. See at http://www.remingtonsociety.com/ques...ACKPOWDERX.htm

June 16, 2008, 11:37 AM	#6
King Ghidora Junior member Join Date: April 7, 2008 Location: SE Ohio Posts: 584	I have a 185K-A 20 gauge. They're great shotguns if you can live with the bolt action. They were made in the early 1950's and other than getting mine re-blued and replacing the trigger guard that somehow got lost when my dad owned it I've had zero problems with it. They were never expensive guns. My dad bought the one I have from my uncle for $5 in the early 1960's. It was a family type deal but you get the picture. I wouldn't part with mine for anything because my dad gave it to me. I've used it for varmit control for many years but I have other shotguns that do that chore now. Mostly mine just sits and collects dust (I'm working on restoring a gun cabinet). But I would expect it to fire every time I pulled the trigger if I wanted to shoot it more often. To be honest I probably haven't shot more than a couple of boxes of shells through it in the 25 years or more I've owned it. I have always wanted to keep it in good shape so I didn't use it much. I've been more of a rifle and pistol guy myself too. It's still pretty easy to find parts for these guns. I bought the trigger guard for mine a few years back.