I was over on another board and got some good info, but could not find this perticular model.
"Western Field"  12 guage pump with Browning proof marks on it. serial number 52453. Its got an odd humped back tang and a locking lug on top of the reciever.  Weirdest of all-the safety is INSIDE the trigger guard (like a Garand).

All help would be appreciated.

RB out.

Wards like others chain stores including sears had firearms made/labled from them by major manufactors.  If you go over to gunparts and check the wards model number, you will find out who made the shotgun, and what the model was called under there own name.

Note: The off name brands are often cheaper models of the name brand. Often the stocks of the firearms are low budget to get the selling price down over the same model sold under the manufactors own label.