I have a 20 guage 870 Wingmaster with a barrel code of XBT. I understand it was made in December, but how can you be sure of the year, 1955 or 1981? It is a somewhat older model with cut checkering, and the barrel is serial numbered to the gun (400924X). Also, how common was it for the barrel to be serial numbered?
Thank you for your guidance.
Dating an 870.
Re: Dating an 870.
.
It helps to know which stock styles were used in which years.
From the information you've given and described, I'm guessing it was in the 1950s.
Den
.
http://www.remingtonsociety.com/rsa/journals/870
http://www.remingtonsociety.com/rsa/que ... arrelcodes
Remington 870 Serial Number Prefix Codes
1950 - 1967
No Prefix
1968 - 1973
"S" Prefix
1974 - 1977
"T" Prefix
1978 - 1983
"V" Prefix
1984 - 1989
"W" Prefix
1990
"X" Prefix
1991 - 1993
"A" Prefix
1994 - 1996
"B" Prefix
1997 - 2000
"C" Prefix
2001
"D" Prefix
REMINGTON SHOTGUN SERIAL NUMBER STRUCTURE
M/870 LETTER PREFIX
1950 TO APPROX 1968: NO SERIAL NUMBER PREFIX
1968 TO PRESENT: LETTERS USED (IN SEQUENCE)
S-68, T-74, V-78, W-84, X-90, A-91, B-94, C-97, D-01, AB-05
LETTER SUFFIX (DESIGNATES GAUGE)
V 12 GA. (2 3/4”)
M 12 GA. MAGNUM (3”)
A 12 GA. “SUPER” MAGNUM (3 ½”)
W 16 GA. ( 2 ¾” )
X 20 GA. “HEAVY FRAME” (DISCONTINUED)
N 20 GA. “HEAVY FRAME MAGNUM” (DISCONTINUED)
K 20 GA. “LIGHT WEIGHT” (“LW”) (ALSO INCLUDES M/1100 “LT”)
U 20 GA. LW MAGNUM (ALSO INCLUDES M/1100 “LT”)
J 28 GA.
H .410 BORE (2 ½” OR 3”)
M/1100
LETTER PREFIX
1963 TO APPROX. 1968: NO SERIAL NUMBER PREFIX
1968 TO PRESENT: LETTERS USED (IN SEQUENCE)
L-68, M-74, N-78, P-85, R-90
LETTER SUFFIX
SAME STRUCTURE AS THE M/870
M/1187
LETTER PREFIX
1987 TO PRESENT: “PC” 12 GA., 1999 “TL“ 20 GA.,
2000 “SM” SUPER MAG.
LETTER SUFFIX
NO LETTER SUFFIX ON THIS MODEL
.
I don't think I can answer all your questions, but here are some links and info which may help.littletip wrote:I have a 20 guage 870 Wingmaster with a barrel code of XBT. I understand it was made in December, but how can you be sure of the year, 1955 or 1981? It is a somewhat older model with cut checkering, and the barrel is serial numbered to the gun (400924X). Also, how common was it for the barrel to be serial numbered?
Thank you for your guidance.
It helps to know which stock styles were used in which years.
From the information you've given and described, I'm guessing it was in the 1950s.
Den
.
http://www.remingtonsociety.com/rsa/journals/870
http://www.remingtonsociety.com/rsa/que ... arrelcodes
Remington 870 Serial Number Prefix Codes
1950 - 1967
No Prefix
1968 - 1973
"S" Prefix
1974 - 1977
"T" Prefix
1978 - 1983
"V" Prefix
1984 - 1989
"W" Prefix
1990
"X" Prefix
1991 - 1993
"A" Prefix
1994 - 1996
"B" Prefix
1997 - 2000
"C" Prefix
2001
"D" Prefix
REMINGTON SHOTGUN SERIAL NUMBER STRUCTURE
M/870 LETTER PREFIX
1950 TO APPROX 1968: NO SERIAL NUMBER PREFIX
1968 TO PRESENT: LETTERS USED (IN SEQUENCE)
S-68, T-74, V-78, W-84, X-90, A-91, B-94, C-97, D-01, AB-05
LETTER SUFFIX (DESIGNATES GAUGE)
V 12 GA. (2 3/4”)
M 12 GA. MAGNUM (3”)
A 12 GA. “SUPER” MAGNUM (3 ½”)
W 16 GA. ( 2 ¾” )
X 20 GA. “HEAVY FRAME” (DISCONTINUED)
N 20 GA. “HEAVY FRAME MAGNUM” (DISCONTINUED)
K 20 GA. “LIGHT WEIGHT” (“LW”) (ALSO INCLUDES M/1100 “LT”)
U 20 GA. LW MAGNUM (ALSO INCLUDES M/1100 “LT”)
J 28 GA.
H .410 BORE (2 ½” OR 3”)
M/1100
LETTER PREFIX
1963 TO APPROX. 1968: NO SERIAL NUMBER PREFIX
1968 TO PRESENT: LETTERS USED (IN SEQUENCE)
L-68, M-74, N-78, P-85, R-90
LETTER SUFFIX
SAME STRUCTURE AS THE M/870
M/1187
LETTER PREFIX
1987 TO PRESENT: “PC” 12 GA., 1999 “TL“ 20 GA.,
2000 “SM” SUPER MAG.
LETTER SUFFIX
NO LETTER SUFFIX ON THIS MODEL
.
Re: Dating an 870.
Thank you! Very helpful information, and I appreciate it.