Help to identify my shotgun

[motoracer]

Hello, I am hoping someone can identify my shotgun. It is a cheap ($150) used shotgun bought from a local gunshop, my first shot gun, I am new to firearms, and have a 10/22 and an SKS so far, so this is my shotgun - An Eatons of Canada (Made in the USA) Tru-line model 400 12ga. pump - full choke, 28" barrel, that's all I know. I presume it was made for Eatons, by CIL or Stevens perhaps, that's all the info I can find on it. What I need is to find the model of a similar shotgun, so I can download a manual or find videos on dis-assembly/cleaning etc, as I am not to sure how to start, and I like following along, rather than just take it apart and hope I can figure it out (if I have to I will). So I am hoping that some one will recognize it and say, oh yeah, that is a so and so, made by such and such.

Also, the stock is cracked, and I would like to replace it one day, and if I know what it is compatible with, that would be a big help, like 870 parts will fit it or something like that.

Here are some pictures I took of it, after I got home from the range today. It shoots great, I fired a dozen target load rounds through it, loading each one at a time through the side. It cycles fine with snap caps as well. It seems well greased inside, and now would need a good cleaning. I looks in great shape, no marks on the receiver, few nicks on the wood (and the crack of course), trigger is crisp, and the action feels solid and smooth (but I have only handled a few shotguns, so what do I know). Any help or suggestions, or advice, is greatly appreciated.

Here are the pics:

 

[Grouse Man]

Damn, that's a tough one.

 

[Mike Webb]

Looks like a Marlin model 120. They were made from 1971-1984 and around 100,000 were produced. Not a bad quality shotgun and designed to look a lot like the Winchester model 12. Stocks for a Marlin 120 should be interchangeable.

 

[bluedcanoed]

I think it was made by NAACO (North American Arms Corp.) in Toronto in the 60's. That button-like projection on the lower receiver in front of the trigger guard is pretty distinctive.

Bob

 

[MD]

I think Mike nailed it.


http://www.google.ca/search?q=marli...=X&ei=c0UwTuKTEMKnsQLthZRy&sqi=2&ved=0CBkQsAQ

 

[madtrapper143]

It is a gun made by Manufrance in France. That's were Marlin had the 120 made. It was likely assembled in north America to be able to avoid the Made in France Label. I believe Colt had a pump made by the same company in the mid '60s.

Darryl

 

[Mike Webb]

I think it was made by NAACO (North American Arms Corp.) in Toronto in the 60's. That button-like projection on the lower receiver in front of the trigger guard is pretty distinctive.

Bob

You could be right. The Marlin 120 does not have the button on the bottom of the receiver.

 

[Grouse Man]

motoracer, you are now designated the internet expert on NAACO Model 400 shotguns. Please give us a detailed description, along with pictures of the internals. Also research the company and identify other firearms they made.

Isn't research homework great?

 

[motoracer]

Hello all, thanks for all the help. I have to agree with madtrapper, it is made by Manufrance in France. I did a bunch of image searches and it looks identical to mine, with the slide release button in front of the trigger guard, see here:

http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/119329-manufrance-pump-action-12-bore-shotgun/

http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/159098-manufrance-pump-action/

http://www.gunwatch.co.uk/guns/332-Manufrance-for-sale

Marlin sold it as the Marlin Premier Mark 1 like this:

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=9753021&oh=216543

Here is another Marlin Premier (second image is exact same as my gun):

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=7361524.0

I even found a schematic here:

http://www.gun-parts.com/manufrance/

and the above gun parts site says Hawthorne (which IS on the buttstock of my gun):

Manufrance-LaSalle Pump & Auto
Same As Colt Custom,Hawthorne,Viking,Stoeger #7,H&R 440,
Marlin Premier, Kodiak #458. Firearms International Etc

I also found this on a forum talking about the ManuFrance pump shotguns

Many Remington 870 parts will fit, although safety and slide release button are different. 7 plus 1 mag extension made for 870 is same thread and will fit, as will cartridge reduction peg (for 2 plus 1 legal capacity). A very well made gun, made at St Etienne, France, where quality guns have been made for around 300 years.

So I think I will take off the stock, and take it into my local gun store, and see if it indeed matches up with an 870 stock, that would be handy. So I would say it has been identified as being made by ManuFrance as a Hawthorn Brand for Eatons many years ago..

Again, many thanks to all who helped me with my first shotgun, I am extra glad I picked it up now, and seems I got a good little old gun here.

 

[bluedcanoed]

This is a scan of my 1961 NAACO catalogue. Do the specs of the OP's gun closely match this description?

 

[madtrapper143]

The NAACO gun was probably imported too.