A martial variant of a John Browning designed sport gun, the 520 Trench Gun was originally developed in response to a World War I request for new fighting shotguns for the American Expeditionary Force. It made a strong impression on the evaluators but did not make it into the field before the armistice was signed. Seeing potential for the gun on the police market, Stevens kept production going until1932, and at the outbreak of World War II, the U.S. government bought every 520 that was still in the warehouse. Checked back into the arsenals at the end of the war, many were sent back into the field for the Korean War and Vietnam. A combination bayonet lug and 6-hole heat shield is mounted on this example. It has a two-line gauge marking on the left side of the barrel, the three-line address on the opposite, "P/(ordnance bomb)" proofs, cylinder choke and a 2 3/4 inch chamber. The frame is marked "P/(ordnance bomb)", "MOD. 520-30" and "U.S." and has the post-1920 upper tang safety switch and the locking block in the top of the frame. Smooth metal jacketed forearm and pistol grip stock with a brown leather sling, serrated plastic buttplate, and a 14 inch length of pull. Includes a Remington M1917 bayonet, scabbard, and canvas sling. Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Very fine as converted from riot gun configuration, retains 80% of the original blue finish with some scattered light edge and cycling wear, and some light spotting on the top and sides of the receiver. The plug where the original riot gun sight was removed is visible in front of the bayonet lug. The wood is fine with some scattered light dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent. The bayonet and scabbard are fine showing some mild wear.