Have a 870 wingmaster 20 ga. With a serial # below 50000.

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Yuma410
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Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2017 4:09 pm

Have a 870 wingmaster 20 ga. With a serial # below 50000.

Post by Yuma410 »

Have a 870 20 gauge with matching serial numbers on receiver and barrel. The # is below 50000 with a X after it. Was just wondering if the gun would have much value to it. The barrel code is WW. Thanks for any help.
Yuma410
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2017 4:09 pm

Re: Have a 870 wingmaster 20 ga. With a serial # below 50000.

Post by Yuma410 »

Anybody out there with any info on this ??
admin
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Re: Have a 870 wingmaster 20 ga. With a serial # below 50000.

Post by admin »

I believe the "x" signifies it's a 2002 and not a 1972 but it certainly does have a value, any wingmaster in any gauge that hasn't been used for a tomato stake is probably worth at least $300. It's not really a policy but a general following that we don't give estimates for value there are boards out there for that. It's just very difficult to do without a very good description and pictures since very good can be radically different from person to person.
Virginian
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Location: Williamsburg, Va.

Re: Have a 870 wingmaster 20 ga. With a serial # below 50000.

Post by Virginian »

The X serial number suffix means it is built on the 12 gauge size receiver. WW barrel code is 1950. Some people have an added interest in the very early guns. You could try to look on GunBroker for completed auctions, but an awful ot of 870s move through there.
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admin
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Re: Have a 870 wingmaster 20 ga. With a serial # below 50000.

Post by admin »

I know WW is year 1950 but then where's the month? which is why I assumed it was W (month) and W (year).
Also I thought when some of the date codes rolled over during the production run that's when they added a letter.

The older the 870 the better in my book, if you can find the condition the wood is often gorgeous. That being said however I found a LNIB 12 gauge 1957 w/ rib with fantastic wood for $300.

If minty there's a for sale section :D
Virginian
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Re: Have a 870 wingmaster 20 ga. With a serial # below 50000.

Post by Virginian »

The month would be the third letter before the WW, if there is one. The following is good up until they started all serial numbers with RS (Remington Shotgun).

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”)

Model 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

Model 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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Yuma410
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Joined: Mon Jan 09, 2017 4:09 pm

Re: Have a 870 wingmaster 20 ga. With a serial # below 50000.

Post by Yuma410 »

The barrel code is FWW. Has a serial number below 50000X. IMP CYL. Has Matt Rib.
Virginian
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Re: Have a 870 wingmaster 20 ga. With a serial # below 50000.

Post by Virginian »

Interesting, F is not a valid month code. Could it be E ?
What could have happened... did.
Yuma410
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Re: Have a 870 wingmaster 20 ga. With a serial # below 50000.

Post by Yuma410 »

Possibly is an E. Do you know how long Remington stamped barrels with serial numbers on the 870's ?
Virginian
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Re: Have a 870 wingmaster 20 ga. With a serial # below 50000.

Post by Virginian »

I believe they only did it for part of the first year, but I could be wrong. I think the sales took off so fast it surprised them, and since the barrels were interchangeable anyway, they quit.
What could have happened... did.
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