Husqvarna Mod 20B SxS underlever with external hammers 12 ga.

bearhunter

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I just received a very nice exposed hammers Husqvarna SxS 12ga, 2 3/4" chambers from Frontier Outfitters, a BANNER SPONSOR.

It was better than described and the price for this piece was great.

This is the ''coach gun'' model 20B, made in 1946, IMHO 90+% condition inside and out.

There's nothing on the outside to indicate its gauge, model. or chokes. It has to be disassembled to find that information.

There are no proof marks

When I saw pics of the gun I wasn't sure which model it was and it would be the luck of the draw which version of the same shotgun that had been built since the mid 1880s that I would get.

From doing a few hours of searching, I finally found a site translated to english, where I could look up the stamps and serial number.

From 1946 on, the shotguns were chambered for 2 3/4'' shells and the steel used to make the guns is proudly stamped on the top of the left chamber "SPECIALstl" which is about the only proofing Husqvarna did back then.

I have no idea what, if any, proof pressures this gun was tested with but would assume it would be to the European standards of the period, which used slightly lower pressure cartridges than were standard in North America.

It's a fantastic shotgun for the price and dripping with classic lines as well as balancing and fitting my stature like is was made especially for me.

As long as I own it, it's never going to see a magnum or high velocity shell, but then again, it won't be used for anything other than the odd grouse or bunny.

The chokes are modified and modified from my measurements so ball type slugs of appropriate weight should be fine for fun.

This little shotgun is just a sweetheart. The underlever design is super simple but the machiningg required to make it would put it way on up there as far as manufacturing costs are concerned.

At around $450 taxes and shipped, fantastic price for such a great and relatively rare to see classic.

These have been available off and on for about 25 years.

Most of them are in 12 gauge and the early ones, up to the mid 1920s have Damascus barrels and are chambered from 2" and later to 2 1/2"

In 1945 about 2500 were produced in 16ga.

The early guns, pre 1945, shouldn't have their chambers opened up for 2 3/4'' shells, unless you're going to stick with 1 1/8 oz trap loads.

Some folks load them with black powder and felt wads with rolled crimps holding paper cards on top of the shot column.

I'm looking forward to shooting this old girl.
 
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I still use mine. Mine if I remember correctly was a 47 but still has 2.5" chambers. Somewhere I have written down the names of the actioner and jointer and the one who finished the gun. There are letters stamped in to signify who made what on them. Mine is still incredibly stiff and other than some sun damage was in excellent shape when I got it. I've fixed the stock not sure what it's made of but it's incredibly hard and tight grained.
Ive been toying with the idea of chopping the barrels to 23" and adding a front ramp post and rear quarter rib with express sights but I haven't gotten there yet as it throws great patterns. Mine came from tradeex and did not match the discripsion. It was sold as a 2.75" cyl and cyl hence the reason I bought it. Turns out a 2.5" chambered gun with full and Im chokes

I much prefer the model 51 over the 20b but I enjoy shooting both
 
Was wondering if Frontier received these m20b's from the ones that tradeexcanada had ?

Have a very nice m310as

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Been looking for a m103a (like this)

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Guess just settle for m20...for now.:redface:
 
If they didn't get them from Tradex, they likely came in later with Intersurplus on another shipment, or at the time there were several lots of different shotguns for sale and each won their own bid.

I had to do a bit of judicious stoning on my 20B to make it acceptable for hunting. The tolerances it's machined to and the underbarrel locking system has to be just right or they can be extremely tight and the under lever almost impossible to close/open after firing. Not as easy to use as the later box lock, etc systems on later models, with and without hammers but a traditional thumb lever just behind the receiver, on the tang.

These shotguns wouldn't be for everyone. I like mine because I love the lines, precise machining and of course the outside hammers, which will likely hang up on loose clothing and maybe in the transport sock.

Took mine out today and it handles 2 3/4 shells just fine. I shot 1 1/8oz #7 Trap loads and a couple of standard hunting loads with #5 loads.

Recoil is definitely noticeable as the gun is quite light.

The butt on mine is made from Beech. Very tight grain and meticulously fitted. No visible cracks.
 
I bought a model 48 in 16 ga from Tradex. I love that little gun! It's light and lively. The hammer springs and trigger pulls are perfect. Action tight, nice soft carry, no sharp edges anywhere.

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I like the wood forend over the metal on the 20b

Each to his own, which is fine with me, but considering the design and utility of the 20B a wooden foregrip wouldn't work well.

The metal mechanism doesn't inhibit handling at all and is quite comfortable but doesn't have the bulk needed for larger hands.

The M20 shotguns were not intended for the high end market. They are incredibly well fitted and made UTILITY shotguns, priced for the middle class/lower class wage earners and hunters.

Hence, they quit using straight grain Walnut for the buttstocks and went to Beech after WWI. That didn't diminish their finish and fitting though.
 
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I bought a model 48 in 16 ga from Tradex. I love that little gun! It's light and lively. The hammer springs and trigger pulls are perfect. Action tight, nice soft carry, no sharp edges anywhere.

View attachment 713331

I had one of those. Got it within a few weeks after they were released to Tradex and just before they advertised them on their site.

The gun they sent me looked to be new as far as condition went and it was chambered for the 16ga as well. I sold it about a year after getting it to someone that appreciated it much more than I did.

Same model as that in your pic, with 28in bbls and Walnut stocked.
 
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