Westernfield shotgun

Question
I have a Montgomery Ward 12 ga. SxS shotgun. There is no model # on the gun anywhere.  The barrels are marked "Westernfield Deluxe" and "Automatic Ejectors"  The gun seems fairly high end, for Wards.  the action is case colored, the wood is medium nice, the rib is tapered, and has 2 ivory beads. My father aquired it in the late '40s. I'd like to know who made it and what their model # was.  I've searched the web and have come up empty so far.

Answer
Mike,

Thanks for your question.  Mostly the Western Field shotguns were inexpensive, utilitarian guns.  Montgomery Ward for a brief time did sell a nicer line of shotguns, specifically the Field Grade Ithaca NID.  The NID Field Grade guns were first introduced in 1925 and continued until 1948.  They were very solid guns and most are still in shootable condition.

The guns had an improved Ithaca boxlock action with a rotary bolt locking system.  They also typically came with fluid steel barrels, color case hardened receivers with a roll stamped game scene, double triggers, plain extractors, a solid rib (vs. vented) and a checked walnut pistol grip stock.  The 12 and 16 gauge versions are not considered to be collectable.

Without actually seeing the gun or seeing detailed photos, I cannot say for sure that this is what you have, but since most of the Western Field shotguns were either Mossberg or Stevens and this doesn't sound like one of those you most likely have an Ithaca.  They don't have a model number but are described by the 'grade'.  The higher the grade, the fancier the gun.  I don't think Ward's had anything but the Field Grade shotguns.

Without seeing detailed photos, this is about all I can tell you...hope it helps.

Regards,

Doug