Sportsman Serial Numbers

[2ManyRems]

The people at Remington History section would tell you that “All Sportsman shotguns produced had an “S” preceding the serial number.” And their SN’s started at 500,000.

The stuff you find on the internet says:

In 1930, they also introduced a three-shot version in 20-gauge called "The Sportsman." The 20-gauge “The Sportsman” had serial numbers beginning low 1? Maybe 1000? They added 12- and 16-gauge "The Sportsman" in 1931, with 12-gauge "The Sportsman" having serial numbers starting at 500,000 and 16-gauges having serial numbers starting at 200,000. "The Sportsman" had a three-bird roll-stamping on each side of the receiver. In 1934 DuPont acquired controlling interest of Remington Arms Co., Inc. In 1937, Remington reduced the roll-stamping on "The Sportsman" the bird on each side and started putting the roll-stamping on Model 11 receivers as well. At the same time, the name "The Sportsman" or "Model 11" began being stamped on the bolt. On Sep. 28, 1937, they stopped the separate serial number sequence in the 2xx,xxx range for the 16-gauge "The Sportsman"; on Aug. 24, 1937, they stopped the separate serial number sequence in the 5xx,xxx range for the 12-gauges and finally on Feb. 14, 1938, they ended the separate serial numbers for the 20-gauge “The Sportsman” at 16,753. From then on the "Model 11" and "The Sportsman" were serial numbered together, continuing the Model 11 sequences. Combined 12-gauge "Model 11" and "The Sportsman" serial numbers reached 499,999 on August 1, 1943. Serial numbers were then jumped to 700,000 and continued."

I've seen plenty of Sportsmen guns with S18xx, 509,xxx, and S500,8xx serial numbers all of which have the Sportsman engraved in them.

It's becoming my opinion that prior to DuPont taking over that they had separate numbering system with the S preceding numbers. But, after the take over. DuPont combined production lines and all were void of the S.


Can anyone shed a little light on the matter???

[Researcher]

I don't think I can make it any clearer than my paragraph you quoted above. It does appear that early on The "Sportsman" serial numbers were prefaced with an S, but at some point, prior to combining The "Sportsman" serial numbers with the Model 11 serial numbers they dropped the S prefix. Those dates for when they combined the serial numbers are from the factory serial number logs.



However, I don't believe there is a firmly defined time that they moved The Sportsman from the left side of the receiver to the bolt.

[Virginian]

Remington told me two of my guns (1100s) did not exist based on the serial numbers, and there is/was a Ducks Unlimited Commemorative gun on GunBroker with a Remington Factory Letter stating that is is a Limited Edition Dinner Gun, and it is not. That could cost someone some real money. I would trust Researcher, hands down.

[2ManyRems]

Thanks.

Yes, YOU made it clear, but then you call Remington's Office and their historian(?) tells you something different.

Thanks for clearing it up!

[Researcher]

The last person at Remington to care anything about history was Dennis Senita. We are now several corporate entities down the road from when these guns were made. Oh, don't get me started!!

[Hagbard]

Mine is a low 200,000 S/N without an S at the beginning it looks like its from 1937 but the coding is so hard to read as it does not appear in a straight line as the charts imply.

[JeffSoh]

Thank you for the useful information in this thread. I had searched trying to find how old my Sportsman is, and that's great research and information...

[Researcher]

The 16-gauge receiver pictured by "Hagbard" would have been put in work during March or April 1937 according to the old factory ledger and the date stamp on the barrel KF K = May F = 1937. There is also a repair stamp LK3 L = February K = 1941.

[Dadeo1956]

Hello every one. New member Sam here.
I have a 12 guage Remington Arms/Browning's Sportsman shotgun. The bolt has the words The over Sportsman. It has a duck flying on the serial number side and a grouse on the bolt side. Serial number 772379. Can anyone help with ID, date, and details. Also curious about the value.
My research has provided vague information.

Sam

[Researcher]

Serial number 772379 would be a post-WW-II gun, 1946 to 49. The old factory ledger ended at serial number 716840 as of 9/1/44. The highest serial number I've recorded is 804163 with a barrel date code of KTT which is K = May TT=1948.

[Dadeo1956]

Thank you your help. You offer great insight for the direction I continue my research.

Sam

[Dadeo1956]

My model 11 Sportsman has stamped K S S (May 1947?)with what appears to be a circle with cross hairs on serial# side of the barrel and an R.E.P. with what looks like a 4 leaf cover on the bolt side on the barrel. What does this signify. Can anyone offer any insight on the value of this Remington/Browning shotgun. Serial# 772379

Sam