Western Field Model 31 (?) what is it worth?

J

Jabol

CGN Regular
Rating - 99.4%
153   1   0
As part of several firearms trades, I picked up one of these. I know absolutely nothing about these and shotguns in general.
It appears to have stamped:
- Western Field
- Montgomery Ward & Co
- Model 31
- Browning Patent

Condition? I am not sure how to describe it but definitely well loved. I did not shoot it but I did cycle a bunch of live 2 3/4 shells and cycles them fine and ejects with authority. Butt stock has some movement even though the tang screw is tight. I suppose wood shrunk with age. What is it worth these days? How old could this be?

gxKtK1w.jpg


oUUBUwp.jpg


G3mAP6d.jpg


rlSmhqp.jpg


7nb4Tog.jpg


T8GJytP.jpg


rMzqkjO.jpg
 
Last edited:
A Stevens 520 made for Montgomery Ward.
Looking at auction prices, everything is going up, but realistically, the gun doesn't have a lot going for it. $150 maybe?
 
bdft said:
It would probably sell at auction for 300.00 but it would sit on the EE for a long time at that price. Only a collector would be interested and it looks like it's been refinished with a recoil pad installed. Down comes the value.
Click to expand...
a collector the most miss used miss understood word on this site
 
Ok, great. Thanks for the insights. The stock does appear to have been refinished in the past. What ammo would be safe to shoot from it?
 
If a person were looking for a utility gun, or a project gun (to completely refurbish) this one might be worth considering. A John Browning design, steel and walnut.
It is over 85 years old and should be carefully examined before shooting. Looks to have seen hard use.
Suitable ammunition? Double check chamber length. If it is sound, most any standard lead shot loads should be OK. I'd be inclined to use 1 1/8oz loads.
 
"safe to shoot from it" - so the stamp on your barrel says it is 12 gauge, but I did not see a length for that. A 3" 12 gauge shell will most definitely fit into a 2 3/4" chamber, but will likely take your head or fingers off if fired - shotgun shells are measured after firing, not before - so simply because it "fits" in there, does not mean that chamber is cut for that length. I really do not know what chamber lengths were available in 12 gauge in those days - could be 2 1/2", 2 7/8" or whatever. You probably want to get that chamber measured, and that is assuming that there are no deep pits, etc. in the metal.

The "proof tested" means that pressure test was done when the thing was made, in the condition it was when it was new. It does not really look like that any more - at least on the outside, so I am not sure sure that the "proof tested" means much any more?
 
tiriaq said:
If a person were looking for a utility gun, or a project gun (to completely refurbish) this one might be worth considering. A John Browning design, steel and walnut.
It is over 85 years old and should be carefully examined before shooting. Looks to have seen hard use.
Suitable ammunition? Double check chamber length. If it is sound, most any standard lead shot loads should be OK. I'd be inclined to use 1 1/8oz loads.
Click to expand...
Take some light trap loads and a couple lengths of rope.
Tie it to a tree and tie the other to the length of rope or string and hide behind another solid object and give it a tug.
If it holds together you are one step closer to having your questions answered.
Or to be safe a competent Gunsmith will tell you what it is good for and yes, expect to pay for the survey of the firearm.
Third option would be as what tiaq suggests , your call on all three options.
Rob
 
best option would probably be a parts gun for someone who has his own with a very sentimental value and wants to keep it going. Great! I am not new to firearms but I new to shotguns.
 
Rummaging through storage here, the oldest pump action shotgun that I have is a Winchester Model 12 - serial number puts date of manufacture as 1955 - so getting close to 70 years old. That barrel is stamped that it is chambered for 2 3/4" shells. Our son-in-law is using his GrandPa's 16 gauge - I think that one has a 2 9/16" chamber. So, I actually do not know when chamber length was stamped to barrels as a "matter of course", and I do not know what lengths were used in what gauges. As posted above - somehow, you will want to ensure that thing is in sound mechanical condition, then determine the chamber length it was made in - that tells you what ammo that it was made to use, when it was made.
 
Well, I was thinking springs, firing pin, anything that can break or wear out. This is what I tend to do with some older rifles I really like. I keep a second, not necessarily needs to be in great condition but it can be a donor in case something breaks in my shooter. I "borrowed" springs this way, firing pins, even the whole bolt, and a barrel. I like the old rifles and I rest easy that I have some spare parts.
 
Can I disassemble the barrel from the receiver from this old model 31? I am not sure how to disassemble the whole thing.
 
Open the breech. Turn the magazine tube. This will pull the base piece (magazine nut) away from the receiver. Close the breech. Slide the front end down out of the receiver.
 
Last edited:
Potashminer said:
"safe to shoot from it" - so the stamp on your barrel says it is 12 gauge, but I did not see a length for that. A 3" 12 gauge shell will most definitely fit into a 2 3/4" chamber, but will likely take your head or fingers off if fired - shotgun shells are measured after firing, not before - so simply because it "fits" in there, does not mean that chamber is cut for that length. I really do not know what chamber lengths were available in 12 gauge in those days - could be 2 1/2", 2 7/8" or whatever. You probably want to get that chamber measured, and that is assuming that there are no deep pits, etc. in the metal.

The "proof tested" means that pressure test was done when the thing was made, in the condition it was when it was new. It does not really look like that any more - at least on the outside, so I am not sure sure that the "proof tested" means much any more?
Click to expand...
it will not be 2.5 " or 2 9/16 12 ga was standard by that time
 
they were junk malfunction was common with that series of gun just because it was a browning design does not mean it worked its production life was very short
in fact they were absolutely junk
 
I had two 620 Stevens, one left. Both had the action bars welded/repaired. 520's had a following because of use in battle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom