Great Grandfathers's Shotgun

[HDFLHRC08]

I inherited a double barrel 10 gauge shotgun from my Father, who inherited it from his Father, who inherited it from his wife's Father, my Great Grandfather. Growing up I heard many stories of hunting exploits involving this gun and most that I remember were of the hilarious nature.

Now that it is mine I would like to give it a good cleaning and learn its true identity. It has the number 7453 on all of the major parts as well as the numbers 137 and 76 and the dates of Aug 8,1871 and Apr 16, 1882 and beneath the barrels. It also has E. Remington & Sons Ilion N.Y. on the top of the barrels. The release lever for the barrel break moves to the right.

Both of the firing pins have considerable wear and would seemingly need to be replaced but I would like to do as much as possible to preserve it for my son, etc.

Is there any way to get a good line on its origins and/or identity from the information above?

Thanks.

[Researcher]

Looks to me like you have an E. Remington & Sons Model 1882.

[RemRB]

Yes it is a Model 1882. From your photos, I can only guess the barrels are not Damascus. If not, then they are decarbonized steel and what we call Grade one. You probably will also find the serial number 7453 stamped on the inside toe of the metal butt plate. There are no surviving records so there is really no way to tell when it left the factory in Ilion, NY. Serial numbers of the Model 1882 started with #1000 so I would guess maybe 1884-85.

[HDFLHRC08]

I appreciate the information on the birth of Great Grandfather's 10 gauge. From what I have read on this forum and elsewhere I definitely believe the barrels are steel and and that the shotgun is of layman grade rather than designed to be a show piece. That is just fine with me as I have no intention of selling it and recon the true value to be the knowledge that my ancestors were "real men" that used it for provision and protection. My intent is to clean it up the best I can without taking away its personality and pass it on to my son when the time comes.

[Researcher]

As it should be!!

[HDFLHRC08]

I am getting closer to reassembly. The shotgun is by no means going to look "pristine" but may be serviceable when I am done. One question I have is where I might be able to find ammunition that would be safe to use in it. My father told me that you had to be careful because modern shells were loaded hotter than earlier ammo. I would be looking for bird/buck shot loads, as far as I know that is all that has ever been fired from it.