Unusal Remington 870 wingmaster

At my local dealers awhile ago, I looked at a 870 wingmaster unlike any I had seen. It had very nice cut engraving on the reciever, better grade wood, center bead on ventilated rib barrel, a full array of chokes, all in all a very impressive shotgun. I seldom shoot scatterguns anymore, the asking price was $650.00..........any imformation would be appreciated. He said it had never been fired and the gun appeared unfired.

With the center bead this sounds like the "Classic Trap" model or it could be the 870 with higher grade Claro Walnut.

Remington Arms web site should give you a bit more information. I don't know whether the price is in line or not. You might call to different gun shops or check the web to see what going rates are once you determine the exact model you are looking at.

There are higher-grade Wingmasters available.

The most commonly seen is the Classic Trap, which looks like this:
http://www.remington.com/images/products/firearms/shotgun/870classic%5B1%5D.jpg

Has gold inlay on the opposite side of the receiver, and a 30" barrel.

However, there have been various higher-end production runs. Right now, there's one with a plain receiver, but higher-end claro walnut than the regular runs.

All recent Wingmasters have middle beads.

The Custom Shop offers all sorts of engraving, also. It could be almost anything.

Its not a trap model, the engraving is cut, not rolled, the recoil pad is a solid affair, not great walnut but far above the average offering.

I don't shoot a shotgun enough to warrant buying it and doubt that it would ever increase enough in value to make a safe queen out of it.

Thanks for your replys, I do appreciate them!;)

Its not a trap model, the engraving is cut, not rolled, the recoil pad is a solid affair, not great walnut but far above the average offering.

I don't shoot a shotgun enough to warrant buying it and doubt that it would ever increase enough in value to make a safe queen out of it.

Thanks for your replys, I do appreciate them!;)

870s and 1100s have long been offered in upscale versions. Both Skeet and trap models were made in A,B,C,D and F grade.

So were older pumps, especially the 31.

Why no "E"? I've been told that there was to have been an "Expert" grade back in the days of the Model 31 but it never took off.

A to C were basically just wood upgrades, Cs had cut checkering.

Ds have half engraving coverage on the receiver, Fs have full coverage.

I've seen pics of a couple "Million" guns. These had lots of zeros in the serial number, barrel engraving and exhibition grade wood.

There's been something like 70 870 model variations. And the Custom Shop will do anything you can pay for.

HTH....

The 870 has also had many anniversaries since its introduction in 1950, and Remington has never been one to miss a chance at a special issue.

Also have seen one from 1966 (when I was born) that is a 150th year gun - Remington was founded in 1816. They'll make a commemorative 870 for damn near anything, and some are really nice.

Come to think of it, I'd love to have that fancy gun from my birth year. But the owner loves 870s, doesn't need the money, and I probably don't have it.

Ditto for his 870 Competition, although I've bought a trap gun from him before and found out later what he'd shot though it, and that his nickname is "Mr. Buffalo Bullets." Fortunately, I met a guy who does top-notch restoration gunsmithing for fun, and who wanted help with some things I'm good at. Otherwise, the gun would have been sold for parts.

I'll go back and look at this shotgun again this morning, from what I've read in the above posts, it must be a "D", it has nice floral engraving on at least 50% of the reciever, none on the barrel.

So much to learn, such a small brain, :D