Wards Western field 4M 488A rifle
 

I have recently purchased this Wards Western field 4M 488A rifle (.22 rifle). I was given the story that it is a model that was discontinued because it was easily modified to fire full auto, therefore few were sold. The rounds are tube loaded thru the stock. I want to know if the history on this gun is accurate and who may have built this piece and an approx. value. It is a nice piece and I believe it must have been built in the late 60s or early 70's.
Thanks

RE: Wards Western field 4M 488A rifle
 

Numrich's cross reference list shows the 488A to be the Mossberg Model 51, produced only in 1939. The 51 was apparently a varient of the model 50, produced from 1939 to 1942. Production shut down more than likely to WWII, not because it would be easy to convert. I don't know of any huge collectability of Mossbergs, but there might be something out there.

RE: Wards Western field 4M 488A rifle
 

I come across those every so often normally hold a price tag of only about 50 bucks but old mossbergs are coming up in the world and their values are increasing.