Savage 219 and 220 Single Shot Rifles & Shotguns

Greetings, I bought a 219C on gunbroker and upon inspection, with the action closed and the gun held up to light I can see daylight between the standing breech and the rear of the barrel. The gap is wide enough to pass 2 sheets of copy paper (0.08") completely through this gap (even with a round in the chamber).

I've never seen this on any of my break open shotguns. Is this something you've seen on 219s and is the rifle safe to shoot? Thanks for your comments,
Garth

Serial number 13 has just been purchased by a friend.  The overall finish appears to be darker than later models.  A really nice looking pistol.  Previously, serial number 30 was the lowest known.

Because I had no good luck in finding an original front sight unless I purchased a complete pistol, I purchased an early “Peep” front sight and installed it. 

Hi,

My Name is Kevin, a new member of the Savage forum. 

I have been corresponding with Garnett Stancil regarding a Savage military marked Model 220 shotgun that I have.

During this great corresponding back and forth, I was also inquiring with Garnett regarding a beautiful original Iver Johnson & Cycle Works single shot champion with military markings that I have as well, looking for information.  Everyone I have spoken to, most have never heard of it, but some have, but never seen one.

Garnett gave me his permission to put out an ask to this forum to see if anyone knows anything about this shotgun.  I have included some pictures.

I would greatly appreciate anyone's input or information regarding what I believe is WWII, on this shotgun.

Thank you very much Garnett for allowing me to post this and thank you everyone on the forum for taking a look.

Kind Regards,
Kevin

I have shot slugs in my shotguns, and found the following advice on full chokes;
Slugs and full choke on old guns
IFish Fishing Forum
https://www.ifish.net › ... › Ifish Hunting
Sep 25, 2020 — Take one of the slug shells, Cut the slug out of it. Drop it down the barrel. If it slides right on down. You are perfectly safe shooting them.

That makes sense to me, if indeed the 220's are full choke models. I see shotguns as being mainly used for bird hunting, and I have only bought slugs for mine in case I need to shoot a bear on our acreage that will not go away, without worrying about something like a rifle round that can travel hundreds of yards to nearby roads or our neighbours place. I also carry a folding shotgun in a small backpack when we go berry picking now, and a slug in my shirt pocket. I never had a bear go after us in the berry patches, but they can be unpredictable. Would I have time to get the shotgun out and load it if a bear came after us? Maybe not, but I do feel like more relaxed knowing I could try and shoot an angry bear, before becoming the subject of one of those Far Side cartoons about hunters!

By the way, slugs do have more recoil. I noticed it when shooting grouse with my 20 gauge and loading in a slug by mistake instead of the #6 birdshot I normally use. Target loads usually also have less recoil than game loads.