Must haves for Classic American shotgun collection

[headoftheholler]

I never really was a fan of shotguns until this past year when I started buying shotguns I thought my son thats due in June might appreciate when he gets older. I am wanting to put together some shotguns that are classics, so far I have:
Ithaca 37
97 Winchester
Model 11 Remington
Next on my list is a model 12 Winchester, any other suggestions?

 

[guyfromohio]

Gotta have a remington 870 Wingmaster.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Yep, an older 870 Wingmaster is a must!

I just went looking for a picture of mine, but I guess I don't have one uploaded on my computer yet

Also, a Browning A5 (not a new one)

 

[headoftheholler]

Yep, an older 870 Wingmaster is a must!

I just went looking for a picture of mine, but I guess I don't have one uploaded on my computer yet

Also, a Browning A5 (not a new one)

I'm keeping my eyes open for an older wingmaster, preferably with a corncob style forearm.
After I get done restoring the Model 11 sportsman an A5 (its twin brother) should fit right in.

 

[oneounceload]

Brownings are NOT American
You have left out the gas guns and the SxS - Parker, LC Smith, LeFever, Winchester 21, Remington 32, 1100

 

[headoftheholler]

Brownings are NOT American
You have left out the gas guns and the SxS - Parker, LC Smith, LeFever, Winchester 21, Remington 32, 1100

I am looking for an American made Browning A5, 1940-46 war time.

 

[huntsman]

+1 on American SXS if you can't afford the top end at least a NID or Nitro Special as long as it's good condition or better.

 

[BarkeyVA]

Definitely agree the list of guns already suggested. You might also look at a Marlin Model 90DT O/U. Probably not considered a "classic" in the usual sense, but it was one of the first Made in America O/U's. (I think the Remington Model 32 may have been the first) The DT version was introduced in 1937 and continued in production until 1957. It was also sold by Sears under the Ranger 103.xx designation prior to WWII and as the JC Higgins 103.xx after the war. Marlin also sold a non-selective single trigger Model 90ST from 1954-1963.

Here is photo of some of my model 90's. The 16 ga. with 26" barrels is my favorite upland bird gun. (4th from the left or 4th from the bottom since I can't figure out how to rotate the photo.)

 

[huntsman]

^ that's a very nice collection

 

[Tom Held]

other classics

Remington Model 31 (equal to the model 12, maybe better)
Winchester Model 42
Winchester Model 21
L.C. Smith
Parker
Baker Trap Gun (maybe not classic but interesting and well made)

 

[headoftheholler]

What do you all think about winchester model 50's?
Classic?

 

[Old Unc']

here's a wish list...

- Remington 870 Wingmaster
- Ithaca Model 37
- Winchester Model 12
- Remington 1100
- Browning Auto5
- Browning Double Auto
- Winchester SX1
- Beretta 303

 

[Toml]

The A. H. Fox Sterlingworth is a fine American side by side shotgun.

 

[allaroundhunter]

Beretta is not an American company, they are and have always been Italian.

Sent from my HTC One X

 

[oneounceload]

The A. H. Fox Sterlingworth is a fine American side by side shotgun.

How about just AH Fox?

Starts at $30,000

 

[DaleCooper51]

I would add a sub gauge single shot to the list. A Winchester 37 would be nice, but H&R has been around forever as well. Both are great for casual days in the woods.

 

[BarkeyVA]

A bolt action like the 16 ga. Mossberg 190 with ported barrel and adjustable C-lect choke can provide some fun in the woods too.

 

[btg3]

... eyes open for an older wingmaster, preferably with a corncob style forearm.

You may already be aware that such a forearm may be found in 2 lengths. I prefer the longer length as there is a pinch point with the shorter length.

 

[SwampWolf]

As Tom Held opined, no collection of classic, American-made shotguns would be complete without having a Remington Model 31 in the inventory.

 

[Old Unc']

a Browning Double Auto Twelvette!! Here's a perfect 1961 example with 28" VR barrel and choked Mod...

 

[headoftheholler]

Beautiful shotgun, but not American.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

870 wingmaster.

 

[headoftheholler]

Definitely agree the list of guns already suggested. You might also look at a Marlin Model 90DT O/U. Probably not considered a "classic" in the usual sense, but it was one of the first Made in America O/U's. (I think the Remington Model 32 may have been the first) The DT version was introduced in 1937 and continued in production until 1957. It was also sold by Sears under the Ranger 103.xx designation prior to WWII and as the JC Higgins 103.xx after the war. Marlin also sold a non-selective single trigger Model 90ST from 1954-1963.

Here is photo of some of my model 90's. The 16 ga. with 26" barrels is my favorite upland bird gun. (4th from the left or 4th from the bottom since I can't figure out how to rotate the photo.)

The 3rd from the bottom is outstanding, beautiful stock on that one.

 

[SwampWolf]

Beautiful shotgun, but not American.

Yep. I'm a big fan of the Browning Double Auto and have owned one since 1961 but, last I heard, Belgium is still not a state.

 

[BarkeyVA]

headoftheholler,
The 3rd from the bottom Model 90 is a custom-made 16 ga. model 90 Skeetking. Marlin only offered the made-to-order Skeeting in 1939 and 1940.