The 20 gauge shotgun, designated Model 1881 or Springfield Forager, was batch produced in 1881, 1882, 1883 and 1885. A total of almost 1,400 were made. The arm was made using musket stocks and barrels. The most unusual feature of the forager is its breech block marking, just 1881 in italics. Also, the wood filler dowel can be seen that plugs the musket ramrod hole. The foragers were considered second rate arms because they were assembled from a variety of obsolete parts. When found, they usually show considerable wear to the wood and abuse to the metal.

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