I stopped by a local gun shop yesterday to look over the used gun racks. There was J.C. Higgins Model 20 in 12 gauge that was like new. These were quality guns made by High Standard and sold by Sears back in the 1960s. It had no serial number because they were not required on rifles and shotguns prior to the Gun Control Act of 1968 (December 16, 1968). The hang tag said $100.00, but I got it for $80 out the door. All the best...
Gil

Gil,

Be very careful, if you have a 583.20, the gun should not have been sold with a bolt. At one time Sears was buying back the bolts for the 12 gauge J.C. Higgins guns that they sold back then. When I checked into them, I was told there was a problem with the bolt stop, such that shooting the gun was taking a chance that you would be using the back of your skull for a stop. They quit buying back the bolts, but were still offering a $50 Sears gift certificate for the bolts last year. I was worried/checking on a 16 gauge, and they assured me that it was only the 12 gauges with the problems. This is how their e-mail started out "Watch out for J.C. Higgins Bolt Action 12 gauge only Shotguns, 583.13 - 583.22!" After the e-mail from Sears, I checked my 16 gauge real close and was not impressed with what it had to offer as a bolt stop. Sold it to a collector with a recommendation to use it as a display only. I'd give you the web site they used to have, but when I went to check it, it is not there any more.

Mossberg Moose wrote:

using the back of your skull for a stop

That would be an OUCH of the worst kind !!

Well worth looking into methinks. Great pickup and good advice Moose.

Cheers, Vince

Interesting. My brother has used one of these J.C. Higgins Model 20 12 gauge shotguns since 1960. Perhaps I should warn him. I am going to shoot it with low brass shells. The receiver looks pretty solid. I will report any problems. All the best...
Gil

Low brass is no way to tell what pressure is generated in the chamber. If the gun has a defect. don't fire anything in it untill you have checked it out for safety.

Well ,if the gun Ain't safe try the warranty .

I'm not joking on this one Gil.
From what Moose said, if the gun were mine, I would load up a half box of magnum loads, tie the gun to a tree, with a string to the trigger, and do some serious test firing.

Eric

I am going to check with my local gunsmith who is superb and very highly qualified. He can do anything with a firearm and has done several dozen of my firearms. I appreciate the comments and concerns. All the best...
Gil

Mate...we wanna keep ya around here for a while longer, and having a bolt hangin' outa your eye socket isn't a good look either.

Of course there is also the "damaging a firearm" factor as well...no-one likes to see that happen.

Cheers, Vince

It is a Model 583.59 and not subject to any product warnings that I could find despite numerous web searches. It will go afield in October. All the best...
Gil