US-Marked Single Shot Shotgun?

junkcollector · June 8, 2007, 05:51 PM

I recently bought a very inexpensive old Springfield/Stevens 94B 12 guage single shot shotgun at a gun show that turned out to my surprise (and the seller's unpleasant surprise after I bought it and we learned of the marking) to have "U S" and the flaming ordnance bomb on the left side of the receiver. Does anybody know when or why the military would acquire single shot shotguns? I really don't think it's a fake marking.

RJay · June 9, 2007, 12:36 AM

In some areas the Army Special Service clubs had firearms that could be signed out during hunting Seasons. I don't know why it would have an ordance stamp on it.

Dfariswheel · June 9, 2007, 01:50 PM

The Savage/Springfield Model 94 series was made from 1929 to sometime in the 1980's.

I can't think of any situation where one would be marked with Ordnance stamps, since only "official" military use shotguns would be so stamped.
The military did use many pump and auto shotguns for training, and combat, and these were usually stamped.

I guess anything is "possible" but the most likely explanation is someone stamped it for fun or for fakery, or for ???????

If you're an NRA member, you can send this question to the American Rifleman Dope Bag, along with a SASE and they will answer you as best they can.
They have Bruce Canfield on the staff, and he's THE expert on US military shotguns.

RsqVet · June 10, 2007, 05:03 PM

There were some modified trapdoors and other guns made for line throwing ... could that be it?

A picture would help...

MilitarySurplusLover · January 21, 2012, 12:39 AM

What you're looking at is a genuine military surplus shotgun. Supposedly used for training purposes... but, according to my grandfather, it was also used in limited amount on the ground.

http://www.gunauction.com/search/dis...temnum=9621785

<--- link to an old gun auction. The only 94b Mil. Surplus I've found for sale.

This one in the picture below is my grandfathers.

Full shot

"U.S. Property"

"-Springfield- Manufactured By... J. Stevens Arms Company Chicopee Falls, Mass. USA."

Model Number -- 94b

zippy13 · January 21, 2012, 01:06 AM

Like RsqVet, my initial though was maritime line throwing.

Salmoneye · January 21, 2012, 07:48 AM

Very nice keepsake MilitarySurplusLover!!!

Keep it here in VT where it belongs!

June 8, 2007, 05:51 PM	#1
junkcollector Junior Member Join Date: June 8, 2007 Posts: 1	US-Marked Single Shot Shotgun? I recently bought a very inexpensive old Springfield/Stevens 94B 12 guage single shot shotgun at a gun show that turned out to my surprise (and the seller's unpleasant surprise after I bought it and we learned of the marking) to have "U S" and the flaming ordnance bomb on the left side of the receiver. Does anybody know when or why the military would acquire single shot shotguns? I really don't think it's a fake marking.

June 9, 2007, 12:36 AM	#2
RJay Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 1,936	In some areas the Army Special Service clubs had firearms that could be signed out during hunting Seasons. I don't know why it would have an ordance stamp on it. Last edited by RJay; June 9, 2007 at 12:23 PM.

January 21, 2012, 12:39 AM	#5
MilitarySurplusLover Junior Member Join Date: January 20, 2012 Location: VT Posts: 1	Your Answer(s) (Better later than never, right?) What you're looking at is a genuine military surplus shotgun. Supposedly used for training purposes... but, according to my grandfather, it was also used in limited amount on the ground. http://www.gunauction.com/search/dis...temnum=9621785 <--- link to an old gun auction. The only 94b Mil. Surplus I've found for sale. This one in the picture below is my grandfathers. Full shot "U.S. Property" "-Springfield- Manufactured By... J. Stevens Arms Company Chicopee Falls, Mass. USA." Model Number -- 94b

June 9, 2007, 01:50 PM	#3
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	The Savage/Springfield Model 94 series was made from 1929 to sometime in the 1980's. I can't think of any situation where one would be marked with Ordnance stamps, since only "official" military use shotguns would be so stamped. The military did use many pump and auto shotguns for training, and combat, and these were usually stamped. I guess anything is "possible" but the most likely explanation is someone stamped it for fun or for fakery, or for ??????? If you're an NRA member, you can send this question to the American Rifleman Dope Bag, along with a SASE and they will answer you as best they can. They have Bruce Canfield on the staff, and he's THE expert on US military shotguns.

June 10, 2007, 05:03 PM	#4
RsqVet Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Posts: 2,474	There were some modified trapdoors and other guns made for line throwing ... could that be it? A picture would help...

January 21, 2012, 01:06 AM	#6
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Like RsqVet, my initial though was maritime line throwing.

January 21, 2012, 07:48 AM	#7
Salmoneye Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 2011 Location: Vermont Posts: 2,076	Very nice keepsake MilitarySurplusLover!!! Keep it here in VT where it belongs!