This shotgun was at a pawnshop several years ago. I watched the price sticker slowly come down over time due to lack of interest. I think the first time I saw it, it was $350. I looked at it a few times and did some googling because I didn’t know what it was. The action was locked up so it was “broken” gunsmith special. Eventually I think it was marked to $250 and I offered $200 out the door. It was mine! Turns out that the “locked action” is normal for the 520’s not letting the slide open without the guns recoil opening a inertia block. In reality the shotgun was in perfect working order the whole time after a full strip and clean. It’s an all numbers matching 1st/2nd year of production (double hump, side button release, vertical forend cuts) placing it at year 1909-1911 production. I’ve fired it on several occasions without a hiccup. The best part is that it slam fires and a shame modern guns dont… anyway I always wanted to have a shorter barrel for “practical” use vs the 28-30” incher but couldn’t make myself get out the hack saw. Waited around and finally scored this already cut down period/patina matching barrel last week. I couldn’t be happier with the new look and when I want to turn it back to original it’s all there. The later trench/riot variations served the US Military in WW2, Korea and Vietnam. Anyway that’s the story of my little 520.

Wow -- first the deal on the gun, and then finding the shorty barrel. That's a happy tale!

Beautiful shotgun!

Wow! Excellent patina on the metal. I went full bastard and had mine converted and cerakoted to match.