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Does anyone know what shotguns was used to guard the water treatment plants in California during world war II. I think a dealer had a few for sale several years ago. If anyone can help I think they are scarce.

I seem to remember Winchester model 97s being mentioned, but, I'm working off memory, and that grows more dangerous with each passing day.
Best,
Ted

I think they were auto maybe a Remington or a browning?

I cant speak for California water treatment plants but most WW2 guard guns would have been one of the following pump shotguns, Stevens 520-30 (the most common, a John Browning designed pump with an A5 type hump back), Stevens 620 (same gun more or less with a rounded receiver), Winchester Model 12 or Model 97, Ithaca 37. All of these were built in both trench (bayonet lug and heat shield) or riot configuration with out the hardware on the muzzle end.
The Remington Model 11 auto was also issued but only as a riot gun although there were a small amount of WW1 trench guns made of this model as well.
Hope this helps.

Has anyone ever done a comprehensive study or book on the various shotguns bought by the Ordnance Dept. during WWII and stamped with Ordnance acceptance stamps, and their various use(s)?

I've seen a very wide variety of these from Win 37 12s to LC Smith Featherweight Field 16s and everything in between. (Many of them I saw well before people even thought to fake that "flaming bomb").

I dont know if there is a book on all the various models purchased by ordinance. I think they pretty much bought what ever would go bang up to a point. Most were used for either machine gun training for bomber gunners & fighter pilots (to help them understand the concept of leading a target) or USO guns for recreation. The guard type guns are generally different.

The World's Fighting Shotguns, By Thomas F. Swearengen, Alexandria (VA) 1978 (ISBN unknown)

-Jani

Have run accross Rem. Mod 11 military riot guns. The ones I saw in Korea were Win. Mod. 12s and brass shells loaded with 00 Buck.

Some Remington Mod 10 riot guns were still in use for plant and facilitys security during WW2.

My buddy and I know a dealer that picked up at least 2 Win model 12 riot guns from our local police dept. These guns were given to them by the Mobil oil refinery. These guns were used by the guards at Mobil durring the war. My buddy was able to buy one. I remember these guns as a kid. They were mounted in the patrol cars to the dash with a special riot gun clamp. Another friend offered me a Win 97 in excelent original condition. It is in riotgun configuration but is stamped full choke. This gun was to have been a guard gun in a bank in Camden,NJ. Apparently the barrel was cut off by Winchester. It has no choke and the blue looks original. The muzzle is properly crowned and has a brass bead on the end. For $400 I wasn't interested and another guy got it.