Choke Markings on Model 1900

[Jack71]

I just got a 12-gauge Model 1900 ejector gun, serial number 365xxx. The back section of the rear locking lug is stamped "27" on the left side and "MOD" on the right. I assume 27 means 327 pellets out of the 511 in the test charge went into the 30" circle, meaning the left barrel is choked about 64% or improved modified. While I haven't seen a marking of MOD in Charles Semmer's book on the double guns, I assume it means the right barrel is choked modified. My choke plug gauge indicates that the right barrel is a bit more "open" than the left so that supports my assumption.

Has anyone else seen a barrel marked like this? I wonder why this gun is marked that way? In Semmer's book all the choke markings are numbers, either 3-digit or 2-digit where a 3 is assumed to be missing.

[dieNusse1]

Another mystery. I would first refer you to p. 258 of Semmer's book which has a 1900 stamped 40 (R) & 44 (L) while the hang tag is marked L. 344 and R. MOD. Why isn't 340 marked? I don't think we'll ever know why these exceptions exist. Business was certainly handled in a different manner back then. For example -- stamping the gauge and chamber length is a relatively "modern" development.

[Jack71]

Thanks, dieNusse1. I guess the different ways they marked these old guns adds to their charm, although it would be nice to know what some of the marks mean.

You're right about the stamping of gauge and chamber length. I don't think any of my pre-WWII double guns have that information visible, although on a few it can be seen when the barrels are removed.

[Researcher]

The SAAMI meeting where it was suggested that manufacturers begin marking chamber length on their shotguns was in 1937. I have Remington "Sportsman" autoloaders and Model 31 pumps from 1936 and 1938 that just have the gauge marked but ones from 1941 and later also have "For 2 3/4 inch or shorter shells".

This marking began appearing on Ansley H. Fox doubles made by Savage during 1938 --

Proof Tested 12 Gauge.JPG (68.3 KiB) Viewed 3196 times

Savage also placed it on older guns returned for service that were reproofed.

[Jack71]

Thanks Researcher, I hadn't heard that about SAAMI. While none of the double guns I own (the newest is a 1942 L. C. Smith) have the gauge or chamber length marked on them, nearly all my pre-WWII pumps and automatics have at least the gauge clearly marked. My oldest auto is a Remington M11 20 gauge from about 1931 and the gauge and choke are marked but not the chamber length.

I've seen older double guns offered for sale by people who said they had 2 3/4" chambers, but sometimes when I check them with my gauge I find that the 12s are 2 5/8", the 16s are 2 9/16" and the 20s are 2 1/2". I think some folks assume 2 3/4" is standard unless the gun is marked for something longer.

[Researcher]

Even though there was no requirement for chamber length markings, Remington Arms Co. did mark the chamber length on their Remington Hammerless Doubles when the customer requested a 12-gauge chamber length longer then 2 5/8 inch. Parker Bros., A.H. Fox Gun Co. and Ithaca Gun Co. didn't seem to bother with this, though they all offered longer chambers for no extra charge. On Remington Hammerless Doubles the length was stamped on the bottom of the barrel tubes, just forward of the barrel flats --

123247 24 Chamber Length Markings close up.jpg (145.28 KiB) Viewed 3187 times

121252 07 DEO-Grade 2 7-8 inch markings close-up.jpg (132.71 KiB) Viewed 3187 times