Need some help

[scbair]

A friend showed me some old handguns and a shotgun he inherited some time ago. I'll be posting elsewhere re: the handguns, but could also use any background available re: the shotgun.

It's a Remington 12 gauge semi-auto, with a squared "Browning-style" receiver. It's marked "Rem-UMC Remington Arms Ilion, NY" Serial number 121xxx. The receiver exhibits some engraving on the receiver, and in front of the loading port. Stock and forend appear to be walnut, and are checkered. The shotgun has obviously been used over the years, but appears to be in good condition (stock has no major dings or damage; some blue wear, but no rust or deterioration).

OK, I think it's a Model 11 or 11A. My questions:

What were the dates of manufacture for this model?
Any idea as to value range (he'll never sell it; this is pure curiosity)?
Does the serial number allow approximate date of mfg for this specimen?

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[Dave McCracken]

The 11 was made from 1911 to the 50s.Few were made after the introduction of the 11-48. And it's one very good shotgun. Some A-5 parts interchange.

This is not a hard to find rare item.Field models are around for a few hundred, trap, skeet grades and 3" Maggie Numbs for a bit more. BTW, all the 3" ones are conversions.

Call Remington at 800-243-9000 for a date of manufacture.

HTH...

 

[scbair]

Thanks, Dave!

I knew I'd get good info on THR!

 

[Dave McCracken]

You're very welcome. A coupla things....

When I got one of these as a family pass along, I hied myself to my smith of choice and had him go over it. He replaced the friction rings and some springs using A-5 parts. total cost, IIRC was less than $20 in the 80s. He called it the 10K round rebuild. Your friend may want to do this also. He may also want to have the smith completely disassemble the receiver, clean lube and reassemble. There's simple guns,complicated guns, and JMB designs in that order.

If it turns out to be an extremely early one, it may have a 2 9/16" chamber. Easily fixed, or use the rare but available 2 1/2" loads from companies like Gamebore.

And if it's an ancestor's gun, chances are your friend should take it out on occasion and shoot it a bit. Memories come alive at times like that...

 

[redneck]

Surprised more people haven't found this site yet. Pretty good for getting basic info on old remingtons.

http://www.remington.com/aboutus/gunhistory.htm

Here's a link for years of manufacture on remington guns. Pretty sure it applies to all their guns not just rimfire.

http://rimfirecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=9555

 

[scbair]

Thanks again!

Dave, I'll be sure to pass your advice along to my friend. The old Remington almost certainly needs some routine maintenance.

redneck, nice links! I have a couple of old Remington .22 rifles (514 and 550-1), and can now determine dates of manufacture!

 

[Brian Dale]

scbair, from redneck's link on Remington history, you can get to a terrific article entitled, The Remington Model 11: An American Classic. It's on the Remington site, under Home > Magazine > History. See if this link works:

http://www.remington.com/NR/exeres/...3DCC5FC58E}&NRQUERYTERMINATOR=1&cookie_test=1

Table V (as in the number 5), on page 5 of that article, shows that serial number 121xxx was made in the year 1912. Is the safety catch a small piece, sliding forward and back in front of the trigger guard, just in front of the trigger? Yes, you're right: remind him take the glove off his strong hand (please!) to manipulate it. Either Model 11 or Model 11A means it's the standard model.

I sure like mine; Grandad gave it to me.

 

[scbair]

Thanks, Bob.

I've been researching that site, and that article has some really great background info. Much obliged for the pointer.