Old model 11 Remington?

[fatelk]

I posted about this several months ago on the shotgun forum; now I have it in my hands again for a closer look, and I'm still curious.

A friend recently acquired his grandfather's old shotgun, and wanted to know something about it.

It's obviously a Remington model 11, but it has absolutely no markings on the receiver other than the serial number, 47xxx, on the bottom where it's loaded.
The barrel is marked "Manufactured by the Remington Arms Company. Ilion, N.Y. U.S.A. Browning's patents OCT.8,1900.DEC.17/01.SEPT.20.02.JUNE18.03." I may have some of the numbers wrong because they're hard to read.

The only other markings on the barrel are the serial number (same as receiver), and "A1" on the bottom under the chamber. This does not match any sort of date code I was able to find on the internet.

From the other thread a few months ago, we were able to determine it's pre-1915, but little else. My main curiousity is why there are no markings on the receiver. Was there a time when Remington didn't put their name on their guns, other than the barrel? It is 12 ga., but even that is not indicated.

 

[35Rem]

The earlier "Remington Autoloading Shotguns" didn't have much for markings. There may be a marking on the tang (the metal parts that stick into the buttstock from the receiver)
They didn't give a model 11 designation until later in production. I'd bet yours has a round pistol grip stock with "cheeks" where it meets the receiver.
The first guns were very plain.
I have a couple with a higher serial number that were 1911 and 1919 manufacture.
Go to Remington's website and order an obsolete owners manual for it. They will send you one for free, and there should be some serial number information in there as well. It will give you an idea of manufacture date.
You may also try remingtonsociety.com forums.

 

[fatelk]

Thanks for the info; I'll check out those sites.

I posted a photo I took the other day. It has a straight stock that was hand checkered long ago. The receiver is completely devoid of any and all marking except the serial number, even the tang.

Added: I just went to remingtonsociety.com forums, and found several threads on this very thing. This is the model 11 predessessor, the "Autoloading Gun", made between 1905 and 1911. There were several people asking about unmarked receivers, but none of the experts seemed to know anything about them. They must not be that rare, though. Based on the serial number, and the serial numbers of the other guns on the forum, I'm guessing that this thing is right at 100 years old, give or take a year.

Thanks again 35Rem; you definitely pointed me in the right direction!

 

[35Rem]

What you got is a little different. You've got a straight grip, which is a "C" grade, or Trap model. It wasn't much of a higher cost item, just a different option that wasn't extremely common. It also has a solid rib, which doesn't seem too UNcommon on the early guns (the 2 I have have solid ribs), but was a higher cost option.
Pretty cool gun, I am envious. I'd love a stright grip Model 11.

 

[WholesaleMob]

Hi fellas, it's definitely been awhile since this post was discussed but I was recently introduced to this forum and am already addicted.

Fatelk, I'm right with you on the Model II. I am caring for my disabled grandmother who has been on dialysis for over 5 years. Over the past year, we've become extremely close and I've developed my family's FIRST real family tree and answered many questions in the process. The house is a treasure chest. It's been in my family since pre-1900 and some doors haven't been opened in 50 years. You talk about hoarding - I literally have to push each upstairs door as hard as I can to budge the headhigh piles of antiques, junk, odds n ends and god know what else. I've constructed a few bookshelves and am going to begin the cleaning/restoring process soon - building somewhat of a memoire with pictures of blood relatives dating back to the mid 1800's. My grandmother thinks everything up their is "junk," so I had to prove her different. Supposively there is her father's 'WWI chest' up there somewhere - but it's a slow process

After walking into the first closet, I found several shotguns and rifles. It's 10 a.m. and I've been researching this Model II ALL night, finally (and luckily) landing here.

In regard to the wording on the barrel that you're having trouble reading; you actually did a great job. Here's what I'm reading:

MODEL II:

The Remington Arms Union Metallic Ctg. Co..INC. Remington Ilion WKS. ILION, N.Y. U.S.A.

Browning's Patents October 9, 1900. Dec. 17, 1901, SEPT, 30 1902, AND June 16, 1903

The serial # 233267 is directly above where the shells are inserted.

The A, B, and C that you mention are supposed to indicate the gauge. (A=16 gauge, B-12 gauge, C=20 gauge).

Check this link on Browning's website for details 'by year.'

http://www.browning.com/customerservice/dategun/detail.asp?id=13

There are a couple things throwing me for a loop here and I finally found this page which made things a bit clearer....

http://www.remington.com/products/archived/shotguns/autoloading/model-11.aspx

Seeing as it is a 12 gauge, the serial # fits correctly in this category. The ONLY other engravings on the barrel or ANYWHERE else is at the beginning of the barrel I see

"C N FULL"

and...

on the other side of the barrel in a small oval shaped circle, the letters "REP"

I have no clue if these would reference the Grades Offered, maybe the C for trap grade or the E for Expert Grade but that is a long shot.

I have NO plans of ever parting with the inheritance in any way, but am anxious to know what the cash value of the gun would be. Among the massive hoarding stash, these would be the last items to go in an emergency, but my grandmother's care is #1, with saving the family farm being her direct wishes. My father had spent nearly everything in her account as he built a house next door to her and went on a 5 year drinking (and mooching) binge. By the time I found out, my grandmother had less than $10k in her account and my father had been arranging to sell the farm. After returning from graduate school, I sat her down, setup a trust, confronted my father about the sick scam he was pulling, in which is typical excuse was that he couldnt find a job in 5 years (ironically not applying to a single company). Anyways, I'm done venting=P

Luckily, Medicare foots the $40k/month Dialysis bill, but I have a nurse watching her 40 hours per week and cash is getting tight. I am fresh out of grad school without much in the way of savings so I've looked at many alternatives to bring in the extra $600-1000 per month she is spending over budget.

Anyways, I'll keep you guys posted on what else is found. I'm glad to be here and have your knowledge at hand. Hope all is well and looking forward to talking with some of you soon. I'll probably start a new post with updated items if you all would be kind enough to take a look.

Thanks again,

- WM

 

[Guillermo]

I had one from the early 1020's

Great old gun but parts were an issue. I think I sold it for 250 this year.

welcome to the High Road