This is a scarce example of a U.S. marked Stevens Savage Model 77E Riot Shotgun manufactured c. 1965. Beginning in 1963, the U.S. government purchased a total of 69,097 Model 77E Riot Shotguns from the Savage Arms Corporation for issue to the South Vietnamese Army; however, they were also widely used by U.S. Army and Marine units in Vietnam. Records indicate that 65,724 of the 69,097 Model 77E shotguns purchased under government contract were issued to the Republic of Vietnam or other allied forces. Very few Model 77E shotguns returned from Vietnam. This utilitarian shotgun has a gray parkerized finish on all components except the trigger guard and safety. The trigger guard has a black enamel finish, and the left side of the safety is painted red. The stock and forearm are hardwood with a dark brown stain. The stock has the standard red rubber recoil pad and is stamped "RRAD" (Red River Army Depot) on the left side (page 189 COMPLETE GUIDE TO U.S. MILITARY COMBAT SHOTGUNS by Bruce Canfield). The shotgun is fitted with the second type front sling swivel on the magazine platform and a screw-in sling swivel on the stock. The barrel has a brass front sight bead. The right side of the receiver is roll-stamped with a "U.S." property mark below the ejection port and the serial number "35200" above the trigger housing. A post-Vietnam marking "BPA 160256" (Bonneville Power and Electric) is lightly electro-penciled on the upper right side of the receiver. A "P" proofmark is stamped on the upper right side of the receiver in front of the ejection port. The top of the barrel is stamped with two oval Savage proof or inspection marks and a "P" proofmark. The legend: "STEVENS/SAVAGE ARMS CORPORATION/WESTFIELD, MASS U.S.A./MODEL 77E" is roll-stamped on the left side of the barrel above the action bar. "PROOF TESTED 12 GAUGE/- 2 3/4 INCH CHAMBER-" is roll-stamped on the opposites side of the barrel from the factory legend. A block "P" proofmark surrounded by a square is stamped on the inside of the stock pistol grip.

Fine as arsenal refurbished. The shotgun retains at least 95% of the dark gray arsenal parkerized finish. The receiver has a few very minor scuff marks on the sides and traces of high-point wear along the upper edges. The bolt and action bar show expected cycling wear. All of the barrel, receiver and stock markings are crisp. The forearm is in very fine condition with minimal wear. The stock shows light handling wear; the dark stain is thin on the pistol grip and lower right side near the butt. The recoil pad is a commercial replacement. There is narrow (1-inch by 1/8-inch) splinter in the left side of the stock wrist at the junction with the receiver. This is a solid representative example of a scarce Vietnam War Stevens Savage Model 77E Riot shotgun that is a hard to find piece for any comprehensive collection of U.S. combat shotguns or Vietnam War small arms.