Remington Sportsman 58A shotguns.

[HousholderRA]

I'm trying to figure out exactly what I have. I own two model 58A's. 1) my father bought a Sportsman 58A, s/n167488X when I was very young. I'm now 71. 2) my wife owns a Sportsman 58A, s/n1082859. It was her father's gun. Both shot guns shoot flawlessly. Problem being that they look completely different. My father's 58A looks like a Remington shot gun. My wife's gun also a 58A, looks like a Browning A5. Same manufacturer, same model number but, completely different guns? Any info would be appreciated.

[Researcher]

Are you sure your wife's gun, serial number 1082859, isn't just "The Sportsman," a three-shot version of the Remington Model 11 (a John M. Browning design), made in 20-gauge from 1930 to 1949. A long recoil semi-automatic.

1098375 02.jpg

The Sportsman-58 was a streamlined gas operated semi-automatic made from 1956 to 1964.