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Post by jmarriott on Mar 4, 2009 12:45:03 GMT -5
Trying to date a rem 870 wingmaster. Serial number in receiver is 37XXXXM and it is a mag receiver. the original barrel is unaccounted for. It has a weird corn cob like checkering on the stock but a more normal checkering pattern on the forearm. The mag spring is also loose where as my 1980 model has the enclosed spring. Seems to be around a 1963 model per the old add here. www.remingtonsociety.com/rsa/journals/870I got a barrel with it that is very weird also. It is that CUTTS compensator barrel. It appears to be a factory barrel as the vent rib matches up perfect and there is not silver solder at the cutts attachment. I can't find a date code on this barrel on the left side in normal place but a XD is visible. Did rem make a Cutts at the factory? Never had such a time of trying to find a date of manufacture on a gun made in the USA. I guess dating the barrel was not a real good idea since the barrels are interchangeable. An overall view:   The weird corn cob like checkering: Maybe done by someone playing around?  The Cutts barrel:  No silver and no heat marks:  |
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Post by Jack on Mar 4, 2009 12:59:40 GMT -5
I'm not an 870 expert, so I don't know about whether the Cutts Compensater was ever a factory option.
The checkering looks like a home workshop addition, to me. I don't recall ever seeing that type checkering come from a factory.
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Post by dovehunter on Mar 5, 2009 9:33:04 GMT -5
Two Moons or Bill will probably be your best shot bet for answers on this board. I agree with Jack about the checkering probably being done by a previous owner. I have never seen such checkering before. I don't recall ever seeing or having heard that Remington installed after-market choke systems on any of their barrels during the 50's or 60's. I had a model 11-48 loaner one time that had a CUTTS mounted on the barrel but the gunsmith who loaned it to me assured me that it was an after-market add-on.  |
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bounce
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Post by bounce on Mar 5, 2009 10:34:56 GMT -5
The only one I ever played with came new on my brothers mossberg .410 bolt acton at around 1956 or 7? it was a dile up choke right on the end of the barrel, no Idea what brand it was called you just twisted it to your seting. but know it came this way as the folks would have cared less when they bought it for him at christmas. They just wanted a .410 I'm sure.
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Post by jmarriott on Mar 5, 2009 12:27:23 GMT -5
I have seen lots of add on Cutts at the Indiana gun club and they all had silver solder where it was attached. It is also a vent rib barrel and most of the add on were not vent rib.
The stock and forearm are slightly different colors so I would think you guy's are right that it is a home made job. The forearm should be the one to base the age off of. It is not the oldest as the checkering is different and the oldest of the 870 had the round model 12 looking forearms.
I looked at the recoil pad and it says "gun parts" so it is also an add on. It has also been cut down a bit as it seems to be 13 3/8 inches not 14 inches this includes the pad. the pad is as hard or harder than the walnut so I think a new pad is in the future.
This is the one I have just added the Weaver rail to by drilling and tapping the receiver. Seemed fitting instead of my nice 870 2 3/4 wingmaster.
This shotgun is staying as it was one of my father-in-laws and he gave it to me before he passed away. He could no longer handle the recoil of a 12. I Have his 20 guage 870 also. He had 5 kids My wife being the youngest so if you purchase most of your toys before the birth of the kids that would have made it a 1959-1960 purchase. The 20 guage is a 1950's vintage just the standard version with the old forearm it has the original barrel so i can check that date out.
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bounce
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Post by bounce on Mar 5, 2009 14:09:35 GMT -5
I may have found you something in my Blue Book?
As is not from a 870 wingmaster but the model 31 premirer so just take it as it is.
This model was also available with a Cutts compensator 1940 - 49 or a poly choke on special order from 1941-49
I did not see it but perhaps when the 870 came out a special order was still availible? Just food to fight over lol.
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Post by Bill on Mar 5, 2009 23:31:46 GMT -5
From the looks of the basic gun I would say its a early 50's gun with a factory Cutts Compensator (also known as a pickle ;D) (You can still get chokes from Brownell's for them). No the checkering is definitely NOT factory. Looks to be done by someone with a file and too much time on their hands.  All in all though its probably a good gun and should still be a very good shooter. I don't have a book on serial numbers so cannot give you an exact age but heck who really care's, just enjoy it, its a great gun. |
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Post by twomoons on Mar 7, 2009 19:25:24 GMT -5
If you go to the Remington collectors web site you can pick up the date code for Remingtons. BLACKPOWDERX and the letter on the barrel indicates the year. The checkering is not factory but before 1970 the factory would install a cutts as a special order item. In addition Simmons did a ton of these. There is nothing wrong with the Cutts as an adjustable choke it is just ugly. If you want you can have the barrel cut and screw in chokes installed or fit an aftermarket barrel. This should only cost as much as the gun is worth or a little more. Shoot it and enjoy it.
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Post by jmarriott on Mar 9, 2009 19:18:58 GMT -5
Thanks for the information gentleman.
I have each of the cutts chokes from X-full- to IC in a pouch only one is rusted fairly badly like it got wet and was never looked at for 10 years. I might just replace the rusted one.
I also recieved from my father in law a Savage 24_DL in 22 mag over 20 guage in two tone with the turkey and the fox on the side but it is missing the but plate, a rem speedmaster 22 in very good shape and a 20 guage 870
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Post by dovehunter on Mar 10, 2009 7:47:49 GMT -5
jmarriott:
Was that Savage m24 you described the one that had the satin-chrome receiver, blued barrels, and checkered walnut stock and forend? If so I had one too. They were nice guns. It was the first gun I bought for myself when I turned 18 (44 yrs. ago). Mine was also the .22 WMR variant. I was a young fool back then and caught the trading bug. I traded it for something I can't even remember now. Of all the guns I have traded off over the years that would be one I would most want back.
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Post by jmarriott on Mar 11, 2009 8:48:01 GMT -5
Yeap thats the one with the high comb stock. Just missing the butplate and forearm cap.
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