Martial marked Stevens 12ga SxS??

[quinn]

I picked this up a while back for no other reason than it interested me. This is a "J Stevens Arms Company" marked model 5100. These 2 marks would date the gun as manufactured between mid 1936 and 1940 by my research. On the side of the receiver is the "U S" and the flaming bomb which appear to be authentic early wartime. The butt pad has been replaced as the fit is not perfect. According to my web research the gun shipped with an "Anti Flinch" marked pad. Barrels are marked: "Proof Tested 2-3/4 Inch Chambers" on the left barrel and "Selected Forged Steel" on the right. There are no choke designations marked. Other than what is shown there appear to be no other US ordinance marks.

From my reading, early in 1942 the government was asking for donations of privately owned firearms and also buying guns off retailer's shelves. Would either of these situations match the markings? Also, this was in the pre serial number time.

Thanks for any observations.

[DWalt]

The U. S. Military bought many Stevens semi-automatic shotguns for aerial gunnery training during WWII, but I have not heard of any double guns. I've never heard about the U. S. military asking for gun donations, but the British solicited gun donations from the U. S. in the early period of WWII, and were also buying whatever they could get from U. S. retail sources. Those were the days when the British expected a German invasion to occur at any time, and they had left huge amounts of their military weaponry on the beach at Dunkirk, with little in reserve.

[model70hunter]

There were 5 shotguns approved by the US for combat in WW II. All were pumps.

The Special services groups also obtained guns to lend lease to GI at military shooting ranges and or hunting. This may be it's connection to the military. Perhaps guard duty.

There is a combat shotgun forums but I did not join to do a search. It might help the OP gain information.

Another one of those questions I wish I could pose to my late father who was a WW II vet. He was color blind and failed the flight school physical. They sent him to MP training and on to North Africa for the 1st beach invasion of WW II. His company fought as Infantry until we had amassed too many Axis prisoners to contain there. His company escorted thousands back to the US for the duration. He guarded POW's at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. They were sent back to France to get prisoners and bring them back a time or two.

He was gun literate, he obtained a Savage/Stevens 311 double in 16 gauge in the early 50's and had it until the end. He liked it very much. He did not like pump shotguns and had a pump Win 22 growing up. Perhaps his like of the Stevens double was from guarding POW's. May be a reach but as we found out some Win 94's were also used.