Remington Model 121 and 11

[Ben86]

I have a Remington model 121 pump .22 and a model 11 shotgun and I was wondering if anyone could give me an approximate value. Both are in good condition. According to Remington's dating "code" the model 121 was manufactured in 1949 and the model 11 in 1941. Thank you.

I'm finding out that these are some pretty interesting old guns.

 

[dagger dog]

There are several different 121 models made from 1936-1954 it post dated it's older brother the Model 12, a lot of the parts will interchange.

2008 Standard Catalog of Firearms pricing for the Standard 121-and or 121A range from;

$495 excellent
$350 Very Good
$225 Good
$175 Fair
$100 Poor

 

[waidmann]

There is only mild interest in the Remington Model 11, the poor man's Auto-5. You don't mention gauge. A 12 or 16 in these parts either side of $200, more for a 20, assuming NRA Good condition, no add-on choke, no altered stock.

I have a 1947 16 ga. IC a fine bird gun.

 

[Ben86]

The model 11 is a 12ga. That thing kicks like a mule though. In no small part to its wooden butt plate I'm sure. It doesn't want to eject very reliably though. I adjusted the friction rings (which is an interesting design) and got somewhat reliable ejection, but every 5th or so round gets stuck in the chamber. I bet the chamber just needs polishing.

The model 121 I've got is also giving me ejection problems, probably for the same reason. Both guns went through hurricane Katrina. After the hurricane my father dumped them in a vat of oil, then took them to a gunsmith to have them cleaned. I bet the chambers got pretty rough as a result of that experience.

Is it true that the model 11 was the first mass produced semi-auto shotgun?

 

[waidmann]

Sort of, at least in the USA. The 11 is a licensed economy copy of the Browning Auto-5. The A-5 was almost completely manufactured in Belgium, final years in Japan. The Remington production transitioned to the 11-48/Sportsman 48 begining in that year. Winchester produced their own 1911 model steering clear of John Moses Browning's patents. It didn't measure up.

My Dad's 1965 A-5 was exhibiting similar issues. We had a total take-down cleaning done and a new operating spring along with slicking up the chamber. Back in action!

As you observed recoil operated autos are not especially kind in the recoil department. I recommend you pass on cutting/installing a pad. Try a slip on limb-saver first.

FYI the A-5 killed the big bore shotguns. 5 x 12 beats 10's or 8's or even a 4. Hence the later mandated plug.

 

[Ben86]

FYI the A-5 killed the big bore shotguns. 5 x 12 beats 10's or 8's or even a 4. Hence the later mandated plug.

Probably that and the fact that most people don't like their shoulders dislocated.

My dad still claims that men of that era were of hardier stock, that's why they could shoot the "big guns" (with wood or steel buttstocks) all day long. I don't know about that, but I sure as hell don't enjoy shooting some of those old things.