Description
TM 9-2117 Winchester M12 and Stevens M520-30 and M620A Riot-Type Shotguns – July 1957
Item Overview
This U.S. Army Technical Manual TM 9-2117 covers field and depot maintenance for the Winchester M12, Stevens M520-30, and Stevens M620A riot-type shotguns. Issued on July 15, 1957, this detailed manual documents three 12-gauge pump-action shotguns retained in military service after World War II. It is an important reference for identifying, inspecting, repairing, and restoring these historic military firearms.
Publication Details
This manual was prepared for Army maintenance personnel responsible for inspecting and rebuilding military riot-type shotguns. Its coverage extends beyond basic operation and includes procedures intended for trained field and depot repair facilities.
- Manual Number: TM 9-2117
- Official Title: Field and Depot Maintenance, Winchester Riot-Type Shotgun M12 and Stevens Riot-Type Shotguns M520-30 and M620A
- Issue Date: July 15, 1957
- Technical Information Current To: May 16, 1957
- Issuing Authority: Headquarters, Department of the Army
- Length: 118 pages
- Weapon Type: 12-gauge pump-action riot shotguns
- Maintenance Level: Field and depot maintenance
- Superseded Manual: TM 9-1285 dated November 25, 1942
Publication History
The Army published TM 9-2117 during the early Cold War, when large numbers of World War II shotguns remained in government inventories. It replaced the broader 1942 maintenance manual with updated inspection and rebuild standards for the three models still receiving organized support. Its 1957 publication date places it between the Korean War and the increased use of older military shotguns during the Vietnam era.
Function and Contents
TM 9-2117 contains descriptions, technical data, parts information, special-tool requirements, inspection standards, repair instructions, and final acceptance procedures. Separate repair and rebuild sections cover the Winchester M12 and the two Stevens models. Additional material explains inspection of weapons held by troops, pre-embarkation inspection, ordnance-shop inspection, rebuild flow charts, and the standards used when returning repaired shotguns to service or storage.
Documented Applications
The Winchester M12, Stevens M520-30, and Stevens M620A were manually operated repeating shotguns intended for military guard and security duties. The manual identifies all three as 12-gauge riot-type weapons with 20-inch cylinder-bored barrels. Their short barrels, tubular magazines, slide actions, slings, and military mounting hardware made them suitable for installation security, military police work, prisoner control, and other close-range assignments.
Winchester M12 Equipment History
Winchester introduced the Model 1912 pump-action shotgun in 1912 and later shortened the name to Model 12. Military versions were acquired during World War I and again in larger numbers during World War II. The M12 covered by this manual is a hammerless, slide-action, solid-frame, takedown-type weapon with a 20-inch cylinder-bored barrel and a five-shell tubular magazine. Its smooth action and strong receiver helped the design remain in military inventories for decades.
Stevens M520-30 Equipment History
The Stevens M520-30 developed from a John M. Browning pump-action shotgun design manufactured by J. Stevens and later Savage Arms. The military obtained the M520-30 during World War II in trench, riot, and training configurations. The model covered by TM 9-2117 is a 12-gauge, hammerless, slide-action shotgun with a 20-inch cylinder-bored barrel, five-shell tubular magazine, and takedown construction.
Stevens M620A Equipment History
The Stevens M620A was a streamlined development of the earlier Stevens 520 family. It shared the M520-30’s basic operating system but used a receiver extension and a different stock attachment. Military examples were produced during World War II and remained in supply after the war, leading the Army to include the model in this 1957 field and depot maintenance publication.
U.S. Military Shotgun-System Background
The U.S. military used several commercial pump-action shotgun designs instead of relying on one standard model. These weapons were adapted with short barrels, slings, military markings, and other service features. Their common 12-gauge ammunition and simple manual actions made them practical for guard forces, military police, combat units, and installations that required a powerful close-range shoulder weapon.
History of Use
Military riot-type shotguns served in combat, security, guard, and law-enforcement roles. Model 12 and Stevens shotguns were used during World War II, retained through the Korean War, and remained in service into the Vietnam era. Riot configurations were especially useful for guarding bases, aircraft, ships, prisoners, supply areas, and other restricted locations where personnel needed a compact weapon with strong close-range performance.
Ideal For
This detailed publication is well suited for collectors and researchers who need original military information about Winchester and Stevens pump-action shotguns.
- Winchester Model 12 collectors and restorers
- Stevens M520-30 and M620A owners
- U.S. military shotgun historians
- World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War collections
- Military museums and reference libraries
- Gunsmithing and ordnance-maintenance researchers
Approx length 6", Approx width 9", Approx height .25", Approx weight .5lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item’s general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
Please visit our page about order lead times here: Order Lead Times.