When originally introduced "The Sportsman" had three birds roll-stamped on each side of the receiver, and "The Sportsman" was part of the roll-stamping on the left side of the receiver. The early 16-gauge The Sportsman were in the 200000 serial number range, and the 12-gauges were in the 500000 serial number range. At the same time The Sportsman was introduced Remington Arms Co., Inc. began producing the Model 11 in 20- and 16-gauge as well. 20-gauge serial numbers began at 1000000 and 16-gauge serial numbers at 1500000. In 1937 Remington reduced the roll-stamping to a single bird on each side and moved the name "The Sportsman" to the bolt. At that same time they added the roll-stamped bird on each side to the Model 11 and began stamping Model 11 on the bolt. That way they could use the same receivers to build either "The Sportsman" or the Model 11. So, at that time they dropped the seperate serial number series for the 12- and 16-gauge The Sportsman and these later The Sportsman were serial numbered along with the Model 11s.
When 12-gauge Model 11/The Sportsman serial numbers hit 499999 on Aug. 1, 1943 they then jumped to 700000. Give us your serial number and we can likely tell you what year and month your gun was made.
