Dating an 870.

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littletip
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Nov 08, 2013 3:31 pm

Dating an 870.

Post by littletip »

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.
Wulfman
Posts: 719
Joined: Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:04 pm
Location: N.W. Wyoming

Re: Dating an 870.

Post by Wulfman »

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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.
I don't think I can answer all your questions, but here are some links and info which may help.
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

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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

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littletip
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Nov 08, 2013 3:31 pm

Re: Dating an 870.

Post by littletip »

Thank you! Very helpful information, and I appreciate it.
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