J C Higgins automatic model 60 12ga....

56200 Views 23 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Stuski, May 11, 2021

deelio123

Discussion Starter · Sep 2, 2003

i purchased a J C Higgins automatic model 60 12ga shotgun from a pawn shop for like 95 bucks, its in pretty good shape, it has adjustable choke....sounded like a good deal, i was just wondering what the gun is acutally worth, and if i got a good deal or ripped off, and i would also like to know if anyone knows anything about the history of this gun and/or the company....

thank you very much

paul....

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deelio123

Discussion Starter · #2 · Sep 2, 2003

oh 2 more things, i dunno if the adjustable choke is stock or not, but it goes from cyl&Slug(20 yds) all the way to Xtra full choke(65 yds) if that helps....and it says model 60 like i said in the above post, but it also says Sears Roebuck and Co. 583.63 if that helps : )

thankyou very much, any and all replys will be greatly appreciated...

paul...

MarlandS

· #3 · Sep 2, 2003

the 583.63 made it easier, your gun was made by High Standard either on 3/10/53 or 5/02/55

You got a deal I believe

deelio123

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 9, 2003

Thank you very much for your help, i was just curios, how much do u think this gun is worth? and also would this be a good gun for dove hunting? what about turkey or duck?

thank you.....

paul

MarlandS

· #5 · Sep 10, 2003

It's worth atleast $150 most any day .

With that adjustable choke that gun is good for just about any game. Be mindful of the chamber length and go from there when choosing loads and ranges.

LtColRet

· #6 · Mar 19, 2007

I have one of these that I bought new in around 1956. But, mine is a 12 Ga. It has a ventilated rib and adjustable choke. I have hunted about all small game plus deer with it. I have bagged more game with it than any other--probably all other--guns in my collection. A little heavy. Keep the action clean, as excess powder residue etc. can hang up the auto load. It is a little heavy.
Question--have you ever found the serial number on it? I have never been able to locate it on mine.

irishmusket

· #7 · Jul 9, 2007

LtColRet said:
I have one of these that I bought new in around 1956. But, mine is a 12 Ga. It has a ventilated rib and adjustable choke. I have hunted about all small game plus deer with it. I have bagged more game with it than any other--probably all other--guns in my collection. A little heavy. Keep the action clean, as excess powder residue etc. can hang up the auto load. It is a little heavy.
Question--have you ever found the serial number on it? I have never been able to locate it on mine.

guns made before 1968 did not have serial nos

natty bumpo

· #8 · Jul 9, 2007

Correction, Guns made before 1968,were not REQUIRED to have a serial number.. Bushrod

SCROUNGE-372

· #9 · May 4, 2009

Hey guys I just got a J.C.Higgins Model 60 12 Gauge and after reading your post I found out a lot of information on the shotgun. I also got a single shot 16 gauge and a Type 99 7.7mm Japanese Rifle to add to my collection of WW II rifles. I am a Deputy Sheriff and one of the Correctional Officers I work with said she had these weapons that belonged to her Dad. He had passed away and she wanted to get rid of the guns. I was able to purchase all three weapon for $100.00. So at $33.00 a gun I think I got a pretty good deal. Can anyone give a rough guess on what the Higgins Model 60 is worth?

Ned Fall

· #10 · May 4, 2009

In my cross reference There is no J. C. Higgins Model 60 listed. There is a listing for a J. C. Higgins number 583.63. Sears Roebuck & Co did not list model numbers but used what was a catalog number to identify a gun. The cross reference authors used these numbers in writing their listings. The cross reference list says that the gun crosses to a High Standard pump action shotgun which I assume is a Flite King Pump Field Grade. Now "Store Name" shotguns have about 15% less value that the same gun with the originial makers name on it.
The Blue Book value for a High Standard Flite King pump goes from a high of $165 for one in 100% condition to $100 for one in 60% condition. Reduce these value by 15% for a J. C. Higgins gun.

SCROUNGE-372

· #11 · May 5, 2009

On the shotgun I received it has stamped on the side

J.C.Higgins Model 60 12 Gauge
Sears Roebuck and Co. 583.63

If that helps identify it any better.

Ned Fall

· #12 · May 5, 2009

No. As I said Sears guns (J.C. Higgins) are not listed by a model number. They are listed by the catalog number. Sears catalog numbers tell who made the gun. its gauge and other things. The cross reference list in the Blue Book is the same as the one published by Gun Parts Inc (formerly Numerich Gun Parts). There is no listing for 583.6xxx. The listing is 583.2085 through 583.87. and converts to a High Standard pump shotgun. Now given that Sears did not sell top of the line expensive shotguns it would be prudent to suppose that the gun was the basic High Standard Flite King. Triva:Sears quit selling guns in 1982.

jds

· #13 · Oct 7, 2009

Maybe not a collectable but none the less a well built great shooting semi auto. I read somewhere the High Standard/Sears is actually the first mass produced built gas semi auto shotgun. I have a J.C. Higgins Model 60 deluxe vent rib with factory 7 position Chokemaster/Compensator in 99% shape. The gun has a beautiful walnut stock and forearm and is really unique in design. It turns heads every time when I get the shotgun out for a occasional dove or pheasant hunt.

Here is the original 50's Owners Manual for the JC Higgins Model 60 built by High Standard for Sears.
http://stevespages.com/pdf/jchiggins_60.pdf

Junkpile87

· #14 · Jun 8, 2012

Thanks for posting the link for the owners manual. I have a deluxe model 60 and just need a magazine extension so I can use it in 3 gun matches.

pete/pmr

· #15 · Sep 1, 2012

I just bought a J.C Higgins model 60 also and it is just like the other people have mentioned,my only question is can it be used with steel shot,with the choke on the end,no markings on the shotgun say anything like "lead shot only",so if I use it for ducks I can only use steelshot! Is this a problem,or should I take it out and just stap it down and see what happens to the end of the shotgun?LOL

Also my shotgun has 583.66 after the sears and roebuck co and it has a "D" stamped in the barrel! It also has a J.C. Higgins choke on the end ,adjustable ,at the top it goes from cyl-Xfull and mid way thru the choke it has yardage markings that match the top markings,for instance.....cyl=25yrds.....mod=35 yrds...and so forth it has six settings! Raised rib barrel also! Any help with this would be greatly appreciated!

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1gsplover

· #16 · Sep 1, 2012

Steel shot? We had never even heard of such a thing in the 50's --- 60's. We just shot the lead stuff and were happy duck hunters. Then the Feds made things "better"... and the rest is history.
There goes my freaking blood pressure!!!
///olde 8) pharte///

Ned Fall

· #17 · Sep 1, 2012

When your shotgun was made there was no steel shot ammunition. That came along in the 1970s when anti gunners and anti hunters were trying to control guns and hunting by controlling ammunition. Their argument was that carrion eating birds of prey (read the Condors of California) were eating dead game shot with lead shot and left in the field giving them lead poison or bottom feeding ducks could ingest spent shot from the bottom of a body of water. The problem with using steel shot in you gun is damage to the inside of the barrel. It won't blow up but could scar or gouge the inside of the barrel. If you use that gun to hunt in some restricted areas where steel shot is required then you'll just have to take your chances. There are substitute shells available loaded with shot made of bismuth (think I got that right). The number 583.66 is a Sears & Roebuck catalog number and also the model number of the gun. It tells who made the gun, what type it is and the gauge. The gun was made by the High Standard Arms Company and is the same as their Model 60 and is a 12 gauge semi-auto loader. It is most likely the same as a High Standard SUPERMATIC FIELD Model and has the following values:
100%-$225. 98%-$210.95%-$185, 90%-$170, 80%-$150, 70%-$140 and 60%-$120.
The percentage figures refer to the amount of original finish remaining on the metal and wood and assumes that the gun is in a safe mechanical condition for shooting. High Standard was located in New Haven,MA from 1926 to 1984 when they went out of business.
Sears & Roebuck quit selling guns in 1982. Parts for the gun may be found by contacting Gun Parts Inc

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pete/pmr

· #18 · Sep 2, 2012

yeah I was thinking to buy bismith instead of steel just to be on the safe side!

However my shotgun has a different style choke than the one in the photo in the manual! So could it be possible that my shotgun was made later than the one in the 50's? And is it possible to date the shotgun from any of the numbers on it? Or is that catalog number the same for all the guns in that style regardless of the year it was sold,made ?

So regardless of the constriction the choke is set at it will not destroy the choke with steelshot , I do not want to damage this gun in any way and would think the wad cup would protect the barrel from the steel?

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Ned Fall

· #19 · Sep 2, 2012

You don't have to use steel or bismuth shot in all cases.Check with your Fish & Wildlife people (or whatever they are called in your locality) about what shot are required in which areas. Somewhere there is a serial number-year made table for High Standard guns but I can't put my hands on it right now. I have a High Standard pistol that I know when it was made as I bought it brand new still in the box. The original High Standard Company went out of business in 1984 but there is a new one using the same name and making like guns. They might or might not have the information you are looking for. All it will cost you to find out is the price of a telephone call or a postage stamp. Their address is:

High Standard Manufacturing Company
5200 Mitchelldale Suite E17
Houston, Texas 77092
Tel: 713 462 4200
Fax: 713 6681 5665
Website: www.highstandard.com
E-mail: [email protected]

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BADDUCK

· #20 · Sep 2, 2012

It is extremely doubtful steel shot will damage your barrel. Shot cups are designed to completely encapsulate the shot charge to protect the bore. Steel shot is a misnomer anyway, the shot is soft iron.
To be safe set your choke on Modified or Imp. Cyl and don't shoot very large shot or the super high speed loads.Steel loads can harm tight chokes because it doesn't give like lead.
Remington states steel is safe to shoot in their guns made 1950 and later and with Mod. choke or more open. Hope this helps.

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