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Orion6

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Got this bad boy for $189. I've always wanted one of the 'deluxe' versions with the red recoil pad and spacers. This will be my dove gun, but man it's good to find one for the collection. :)

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wfb18 said:
rmeron said:
I just got this from Cheryl Havlin,the Mossberg folks in Missouri.
Prior to 1969, Mossberg had a single rail action slide tube. In 1969, beginning with the 50th anniversary shotgun, they added a second rail, and thereafter added a B to the model number to indicate "double bar" action slide tube assembly. A=12 gauge, B in second position=double bar.
They also used 5-digit serial numbers until they realized they would run out of letters.
For some reason exact dating is for law enforcement, only for crime trace, but a 500AB with a D serialization is 1971-1972. By 1973, they were into the G with 6 digit numbers and had dropped the second B as all shotguns now had the twin or double bars.
The Havlin's are fantastic, and as soon as I get some extra cash I will join the Mossberg group.
All Mossberg 500AB parts are interchangeable with the 500A. The Mossberg 500AB was manufactured from 1969-1973 and sold in Montgomery Wards, Sears, and perhaps other stores as a hunting model with a upgraded walnut stock & forend, a 26"/28"/30" blued fixed choke barrel, and an etched bolt and lifter. I believe I can see the scalloped bolt and lifter on your Mossberg 500AB when I magnify your photograph. Can you please post a picture with higher resolution? Below is a nice example. Good luck, sir.

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Let's determine if your gun is a 1969 50th anniversary model, or in what year it was manufactured. Does the serial number start with C, or is it D, E, or F? Does it have a golden trigger, and does it have an etched bolt and lifter? Nice buy, Orion6!
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Thanks for posting that info!

It appears to be a 1973 model. G prefix followed by six digits and double action bars; trigger is blued.

Would loved to have gotten the anniversary model, but I think this one is still a score. :)
 
Good, we can revise the Havlin report to state that at least some Mossberg 500AB guns were also given the G six digit serial numbers.

The 2011 50th Anniversary Model 500 has a polished blue barrel, a red recoil pad, a jeweled bolt and lifter, a gold trigger, Accu-Chokes, a vent-rib and center bead, and a ported barrel.

Let's see what 100th anniversary gun Mossberg presents in 2019. Surely they have begun discussions. Good luck, sir.
 
Discussion starter · #5 ·
wfb18 said:
Good, we can revise the Havlin report to state that at least some Mossberg 500AB guns were also given the G six digit serial numbers.

The 2011 50th Anniversary Model 500 has a polished blue barrel, a red recoil pad, a jeweled bolt and lifter, a gold trigger, Accu-Chokes, a vent-rib and center bead, and a ported barrel.

Let's see what 100th anniversary gun Mossberg presents in 2019. Surely they have begun discussions. Good luck, sir.
I've come close to buying the new "Classic" version, which is the 50th 500 without the logo (model 50126), but this is the one I've kind of been looking to pick up. It's honestly got just as little wear as my new 500 (50120) I bought last year. A few minor stock dings, but by no means in bad shape. I'd rate it in the mid 90% range overall.

This new (new to me) one is definitely a "G" prefix followed by six digits, so it looks like a 1973 for sure.
 
Got this bad boy for $189. I've always wanted one of the 'deluxe' versions with the red recoil pad and spacers. This will be my dove gun, but man it's good to find one for the collection. :)

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I had a 500AB 30" VR fixed full choke my dad bought new in 1973 from service merchandise $89.99 he passed away in 1980 I turned 12 in 1985 I carried that gun hunting until 1995 when it was stolen from me 2 weeks ago I was at a pawn shop looking around and there it stood I asked to see it took the pistol grip cap off and there was my PAT carved in the wood,A shotgun I loved missing all these years turned up in a local pawn shop,the owner gave it to me after I provided the police report with matching sn# the man who pawned it and lost It a old family friend and deputy sheriff,he was retired when he pawned it,the same man who helped me look for all my guns that got stolen was the thief, The day I brought it back home I went hunting and Took a little buck with it
 
OP was from 2014.........................
 
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