When my grandfather passed away I acquired some of his firearms. Now Ive had this 20 GA. bolt action sitting around for a few years and fired it for the hell of it the other day for the first time. Now tonight I'm cleaning it and I noticed. I can't find a serial number anyplace on this thing? Does anyone know where they are? Are they on the receive under the stock? DO the bolts have serial # on them? Thanks.

It is probably pre-'68 so it wasn't required to have a serial number. BTW, you're probably dealing with a 185D, not 85D

No i'm pretty sure it's a 85 D. That's what it says, doesn't say 185 D. They stopped making the 85 d in 42 I think i read somplace. I didn't realize older firearms weren't required to have serial numbers.

Your Model 85D was first made in 1940 and they built them until about 1947. It was then designated a the Model 185D until it was discontinued sometime after 1968. Earlier M0del 85Ds had 25" barrels and the later ones had 26" barrels. Some had choke tubes which were advanced for that time. From 1950 to 1963, Mossberg made the same gun with an adjustable C-Lect-Choke. That version was designated the Model 185K.

Source: Paul Wahl's 1968 Gun Traders Guide

Yup, definitely pre-'68 then. That model probably never came with a serial number.

Thanks guys for clearing that up

3-Shot, Takedown, 20 gauge only (2 3/4-inch), 2 shell detachable magazine. Weight 6 1/4 lbs, barrel, 25" with three interchangeable choke tubes, Modified, Full & Improved Cylinder. Plain one piece pistol grip stock. Made 1940-1946. Production suspended in 1942 for war efforts.

I got one of these a couple years back when my Uncle passed away. It was one the few belongings he had.

I recently got this thing out re-finished the stock, refinished the blueing (the old caustic version), replaced the cracked buttplate with a grind to fit recoil pad and installed a HiViz fiber optic front bead. It really is quite a neat little shotgun.

You can find parts here:

http://www.poppertsgunparts.com/

Exploded Views:
http://home.epix.net/~damguy/mossberg_shotguns_exploded.htm

That brings back lots of memories of a "misspent" youth in the mid to late '40s! Hanging out in the woods and shooting squirrels, rabbits, and the occasional grouse. Good times, and good friends.

BobK