How to Tell How Old a Remington 870 is?
The Remington 870 is a legendary pump-action shotgun that has been in production for over 70 years. With millions of units sold worldwide, it’s not uncommon to come across a used or vintage Remington 870. But how do you determine the age of this iconic firearm? In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of identifying the age of a Remington 870.
Serial Number and Date Code
The first step in determining the age of a Remington 870 is to check the serial number and date code. The serial number is usually located on the receiver, just behind the trigger group. The date code is a series of letters and numbers that indicate the month and year of production.
Pre-1950 Remington 870s
Remington 870s produced before 1950 do not have a date code. Instead, the serial number is the only way to determine the age of the firearm. Here’s a rough guide to help you estimate the age of a pre-1950 Remington 870:
- Serial numbers 1-100,000 (1937-1947): These early Remington 870s were produced during World War II and are highly sought after by collectors.
- Serial numbers 100,001-500,000 (1947-1954): These Remington 870s were produced during the post-war period and are considered to be in the "classic" era of the firearm.
Post-1950 Remington 870s
Remington 870s produced after 1950 have a date code that consists of a letter and a number. The letter indicates the month of production, while the number indicates the year. Here’s a breakdown of the date code:
- Letter codes (A-Z): Each letter corresponds to a specific month:
- A = January
- B = February
- C = March
+… - Z = December
- Number codes (0-9): The number indicates the year of production:
- 0 = 1950
- 1 = 1951
- 2 = 1952
+… - 9 = 1959
For example, a Remington 870 with a date code of "B-3" was produced in February 1953.
Other Identification Methods
In addition to the serial number and date code, there are other ways to identify the age of a Remington 870:
- Barrel markings: Remington 870s produced before 1960 have a distinctive barrel marking that reads "Remington Arms Co. Ilion, N.Y." Remington 870s produced after 1960 have a different barrel marking that reads "Remington Arms Co. Ilion, N.Y. USA".
- Trigger group: Remington 870s produced before 1960 have a trigger group with a flat, rectangular trigger. Remington 870s produced after 1960 have a trigger group with a curved, rounded trigger.
- Stock: Remington 870s produced before 1960 have a stock with a flat, smooth finish. Remington 870s produced after 1960 have a stock with a checkered, textured finish.
Conclusion
Determining the age of a Remington 870 can be a complex process, but by checking the serial number and date code, as well as other identification methods, you can get a good idea of when your firearm was produced. Whether you’re a collector, a hunter, or simply a firearms enthusiast, knowing the age of your Remington 870 can be a valuable piece of information.
Table: Remington 870 Serial Number Range and Production Dates
| Serial Number Range | Production Dates |
|---|---|
| 1-100,000 | 1937-1947 |
| 100,001-500,000 | 1947-1954 |
| 500,001-1,000,000 | 1954-1960 |
| 1,000,001-2,000,000 | 1960-1965 |
| 2,000,001-3,000,000 | 1965-1970 |
| 3,000,001-4,000,000 | 1970-1975 |
| 4,000,001-5,000,000 | 1975-1980 |
| 5,000,001-6,000,000 | 1980-1985 |
| 6,000,001-7,000,000 | 1985-1990 |
| 7,000,001-8,000,000 | 1990-1995 |
| 8,000,001-9,000,000 | 1995-2000 |
| 9,000,001-10,000,000 | 2000-2005 |
| 10,000,001-present | 2005-present |
Additional Resources
- Remington Arms Company: www.remington.com
- Remington 870 Collector’s Guide: www.rem870.com
- Shotgun News: www.shotgunnews.com
By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be able to determine the age of your Remington 870 and gain a deeper appreciation for this iconic firearm.
