9mmMike
July 28, 2006, 09:40 AM
Well my latest acquisitions arrived last night; a 1951 870 with a matching barrel marked WW (which I think is actually '50) and a stripped receiver.
The receiver turns out to be a
The receiver turns out to be a
"New" '51 & '55 870's
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Chipperman
July 28, 2006, 12:22 PM
Cool.
Maybe you should change your name to 50'sMike.
How 'bout some pics?
Maybe you should change your name to 50'sMike.
How 'bout some pics?
ArmedBear
July 28, 2006, 03:00 PM
How strange. I shot one from '50 and it seemed to be the same as any Wingmaster I've seen. I'll have to look closer, I guess!:)
9mmMike
July 28, 2006, 03:02 PM
I have a buddy with a digital and I'll try to get him to swing by with it this weekend. I'll pull the trigger group and snap a couple pics.
It's really quite cool.
Mike
It's really quite cool.
Mike
Dave McCracken
July 28, 2006, 05:32 PM
WW is November, 1950, Mike. Same code on my oldest. Remington sayeth it was made "Around 1951". Unsubstantiated rumor is that Remington will not admit any 870 is from the first year of production for some reason.
And mine has no variants in the parts as near as I can tell.
Mine has a 5 digit serial number. How about yours?
Congrats and kudoes on your rescues....
And mine has no variants in the parts as near as I can tell.
Mine has a 5 digit serial number. How about yours?
Congrats and kudoes on your rescues....
9mmMike
July 28, 2006, 06:17 PM
Howdy,
Serial number is five digits. The barrel has the same number as the receiver. Not sure how many years they numbered both parts but my '55 was not numbered thus.
The most obvious difference (without pulling the gun apart) is the shape front edge of the lifter/carrier. It is concave whilst all my others are flat or almost convex(ish). This gives the carrier sort of a double-pointed look (think horns) :evil: instead of looking like a tongue. :neener: Sorry about the visuals.
Mike
Serial number is five digits. The barrel has the same number as the receiver. Not sure how many years they numbered both parts but my '55 was not numbered thus.
The most obvious difference (without pulling the gun apart) is the shape front edge of the lifter/carrier. It is concave whilst all my others are flat or almost convex(ish). This gives the carrier sort of a double-pointed look (think horns) :evil: instead of looking like a tongue. :neener: Sorry about the visuals.
Mike
Dave McCracken
July 28, 2006, 10:18 PM
I do not think I ever saw a serial number on an 870 barrel, Mike. I do not know if my oldest 870 has the original barrel or not, but it's been in the family since the early 50s. Pop bought it slightly used.
Does yours still have the solid steel mag plug?
I've seen a few "Concave" lifters. Interesting variant.
Does yours still have the solid steel mag plug?
I've seen a few "Concave" lifters. Interesting variant.
9mmMike
July 29, 2006, 10:09 AM
The mag plug is wooden. Maybe not original? The spring is a mess, rusty and bent but still works OK. I cleaned the gunk and rust off and it does not look as if it's going to break anytime soon. Unlike the spring that I pulled from my 1100 when I bought that. I am pretty sure the 1100 spent time underwater.
Does your 870 have a one or two piece buttplate? I have the stock off of the bride's '56 16 gauge here and it's a one piece, very thin plate with horizontal grooves across the center section and "Remington" in a box across the top 25%.
The one on this "new" gun is two parts and a little thicker though still plastic. It has a separate center section that has a fancy stylized RA crest in the middle. I have a similar butt plate on an English stock for my 1100. I think the two piece plate might be newer.
Mike
Does your 870 have a one or two piece buttplate? I have the stock off of the bride's '56 16 gauge here and it's a one piece, very thin plate with horizontal grooves across the center section and "Remington" in a box across the top 25%.
The one on this "new" gun is two parts and a little thicker though still plastic. It has a separate center section that has a fancy stylized RA crest in the middle. I have a similar butt plate on an English stock for my 1100. I think the two piece plate might be newer.
Mike
Dave McCracken
July 29, 2006, 11:13 AM
That plate is long gone, Mike. It was similar to Ms Mike's though.
Plugs get swapped out. That steel one weighs about 1 lb. Most folks got shut of theirs PDQ.
Something to remember, when the 870 was intro'd it came in a variety of models from a field grade with thin plate, no grip cap and no checkering to the fancy ADL grade with trestle pad, white spacers and shiny finish.
These have had 50 years for folks to mix and match parts.
Number 6 showed up here with a plastic follower. I doubt they were available in 1955.
Plugs get swapped out. That steel one weighs about 1 lb. Most folks got shut of theirs PDQ.
Something to remember, when the 870 was intro'd it came in a variety of models from a field grade with thin plate, no grip cap and no checkering to the fancy ADL grade with trestle pad, white spacers and shiny finish.
These have had 50 years for folks to mix and match parts.
Number 6 showed up here with a plastic follower. I doubt they were available in 1955.
9mmMike
August 1, 2006, 09:49 AM
Well I got a note from Big Green today,
"Thank you for contacting Remington Country. Your Model 870 was produced around 1950."
I think they changed their mind when I supplied some additional information.
They also recommended a fellow named Craig Colabaugh in Stroudburg PA as a "specialist" in old Remington restoration. I think I'll head up there and see what he thinks about this gun. It sure would be cool to see this old beauty put right, so I can start wearing it out all over again.
"Thank you for contacting Remington Country. Your Model 870 was produced around 1950."
I think they changed their mind when I supplied some additional information.
They also recommended a fellow named Craig Colabaugh in Stroudburg PA as a "specialist" in old Remington restoration. I think I'll head up there and see what he thinks about this gun. It sure would be cool to see this old beauty put right, so I can start wearing it out all over again.
Dave McCracken
August 1, 2006, 09:05 PM
"wearing it out all over again"....
Amen. These were made to be used...
Amen. These were made to be used...
9mmMike
August 3, 2006, 10:49 PM
pics
top is 1950 - note narrow slide release and carrier dog, high "fence" on carrier and deeper arch.
bottom is from parts box but is pretty much what all my others look like
top is 1950 - note narrow slide release and carrier dog, high "fence" on carrier and deeper arch.
bottom is from parts box but is pretty much what all my others look like
9mmMike
August 3, 2006, 10:54 PM
more pics
Yes, the bolt just falls apart like that. There is no retaining groove/slot to keep the locking block in place.
Yes, the bolt just falls apart like that. There is no retaining groove/slot to keep the locking block in place.
Dave McCracken
August 4, 2006, 02:59 PM
My, my. I've never seen the like. This must be VERY early.
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