westernfield?

[texasguy]

I have a wards westernfeild .410 2.5" chamber .410 bolt action shotgun with a 2+1 capacity. I have never been able to find any information on this shotgun AT ALL. its a good gun in 80% condition. It has been used a morning or two hunting squirrels. Ive been told its probably not worth much, but everybody knows that your first gun is priceless.

The challenging part about this, is that the gun has no serial number. Im sitting here staring at every part, every angle of this gun and no kind of stamp anywhere, except, WARD WESTERNFIELD .410 GAGE REPEATER (yes they spelled gauge wrong)

can someone please give me some information on this gun?
-tex

 

[JohnBT]

It was made for Montgomery Ward, probably by Savage/Stevens, but lots of companies made guns for them. Prior to the passage of the Gun Control Act of 1968 serial numbers were not required.

Got a pic?

John

 

[texasguy]

I will post pics sometime soon. The gun is at my grandfather's ranch right now because he has a skunk family liveng under his house and hates them so much he bought some slugs. way too much overkill. I told him that #4 or #6 shot would be fine at up to about 30 feet, but he insists on slugs. I asked him about it, and the only thing I can quote on this forum without getting kicked off is "I hate those..."

The stock has been refinished a number of times (probably three or four) and im not sure, but it looks to me that someone put M1 carbine style grooves in the forend. A pretty good job too.

 

[joab]

Bolt action?
I'm betting pre 68 Mossberg model 80 or 83

 

[SDC]

It'll be either a Savage or a Mossberg made for Western Field.

 

[mothernatureson]

westernfield

Hey texasguy,
I'll bet it's a mossberg. I have one(single shot) You can confirm this by contacting the nice folks at ""Mossberg Collectors Association". There is a link at the OF Mossberg website , or do a search. They will be able to give you the approximate dates of manufacture based on the Western Field model # on your shotgun.

mothernatureson

 

[unclestu]

Yup, Western Field was Monkey Wards house brand, & I'd bet your .410 is probably a Mossberg. My Mossberg 500 pump is stamped,"New Haven 600". I'm pretty sure New Haven was the house brand for Western Auto. I got the "New Haven" back in 1977, I think; took it in trade on car we sold.

 

[Lee99]

Yep, made by Mossberg. About 15 years ago got one for a B-Day present. Called around and around. I finally stumbled across a guy in MO. who someone told me was the .410 gurue. Lost the guys name and number but for what it is worth. He told me that if the code on the bottom right above the load. Under where it states "Montgomery Ward" there is a serial number. If this serial number starts with a M followed by 3 numbers and ends with two letters it was made by Mossberg. Mine is chambered for 2/5 and 3 in. shells. You have (at least I do) have your game on when shooting clays with 2/5 in. using 8 shot with a full choke. Just my two cents worth.

 

[K5mitch]

Good info, I had been wondering about a 20 gauge westernfield I got for some car parts a while ago. Pump action, adjustable choke... looks like it's in good working order, haven't fired it yet.

And Gage is an alternate spelling of Gauge. Normally you'll see it when talking about something like an indicator (RPM Gage, EGT Gage, etc.)

 

[Lee99]

A gun dealer here in Wichita told me last weekend that he sells more .410's then any other shotgun. Go figure, like has been stated in another thread, it takes a good shooter (with clays) to be on the money every time with a .410. Makes me think I need to shoot mine more often. Maybe it will help me improve with the 12 ga. Would also love to get my hands on a 28 ga. for kicks and giggles just to compare and see if I could hit the broad side of a barn. Good shooting all.

 

[Lee99]

While on the subject I got out the ole bolt action 12 ga I received as a Christmas present back in 73. It is a New Haven made by none other than O.F. Mossberg & Sons Inc. People like to laugh but with this I have shot more pheasants any other gun I own. With 3 in 5 shot mags it is deadly with roosters. Good shooting.