doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Husqvarna Model 20B

Hello everybody! I just purchased a Model 20B Husqvarna shotgun in 12 gauge. It is in very nice condition and should be a good shooter. The barrels retain almost all the bluing and the case colors are still vivid. The wood is nice with no gouges or dings. Here is my dilemma: The action locks up very tight and the underlever will not go back to center without using a lot of force. Should it be so tight as to require a mallet to return the lever to center? I did not do that, but, I have no experience with this type of action and need some advice. I acquired the gun through an auction site, so I did not have a hands-on look before buying. The auction photos show the lever centered. For you Model 20B owners, what can you tell me about my new gun, insofar as the lever is concerned. Thanks and, Cheers!

How far from center is it, without using undue force ?

Mine closes with a small bit of pressure.

Question, might there be something under the extractor?

You have taken the barrels off and reset them?
And they are tight without any ammo, right?

Mike

I've seen / handled a lot of these Husqvarna's and the ones with a lot of case coloring are not used a lot. The CCH will wear and will turn into a silver metal color. These guns are tight and especially the lever. A gun in this condition can mean 2 things. 1. The condition is original from the 1950's. 2. The gun is restored in the 70's and 80's. This was a special service from Husqvarna to restore grandpa's gun to "new" condition. Only the outside was done. The barrel inside was only cleaned not polished / reamed. If you post a clear picture of the CCH I can tell you if it's original or redone. With the model 20B it is probably original.
The gun is manufactured in the period 1944-1956 in a total number of about 28.000, most of them in 12 gauge and a few 16 gauge (65mm chambers). In the beginning the barrels are marked "Svenskt St�l", (Swedish Steel) later "Special St�l" (Special Steel) with a standard length of 70 - 75 cm long.
If you sent me the marking on the watertable and the serialnr I can tell you more about the production date and the gun fitter.

I picked one on these up early this year in what sounds like the same condition. It looks unused, it was also very tight, took it down, cleaned, lubed and oiled, started working the action and is now OK, you might want to try the same if you have not already.

I've nothing to add except that they are fun "entry level" hammerguns. Have several in 16 ga. that started me down the slippery "hammmergun craze" slope that I'm on now.

Top one is a factory restored model 15, damascus barrel. Bottom a original model 20.





The restored guns is also very tight and with normal pressure the lever doesn't close.

Thanks for the replies, everybody! fdwjr, my gun looks just like your original Model 20, unrestored. I am going to give it a fine detailed cleaning this weekend. It should be a fun gun. I actually bought it for my daughter. She saw how giddy I was with my Parker and Baker hammer guns, so I thought I would try and get her hooked, too. I will get back with serial and other markings. Cheers!

The lever on mine was also hard closing but sorta loosened up after 3-400 rounds through it...Great guns...