12 Gauge Side Hammer Remington Double Barrel

[john huteson]

I have a nice 1889 Remington 12 Gaugr side hammer shotgun with so inch barrels. The serial number on all the guns pieces is 223079 with a 1 to the left of the serial number on the main body. I bought it in a gunshop in Portland Oregon in late 1960'sfor $100. They sold me modern ammo ,not magnum, and I shot lots of Pheasant with it over the years. What year was this gun made ? thanks for any info. John H.

[Researcher]

According to the table in Charles Semmer's book on Remington Doubles, your Model 1889 was made in 1902. Grade 1 was the lowest grade, and was made with "Decarbonized Steel" barrels. Grade 2 had Twist barrels and Grade 3 had Damascus barrels. These three lowest grades were all plain with no engraving, the difference just being the barrel material. Grades 4 to 7 hand increasingly finer Damascus barrels, along with increasing amounts and quality of engraving, and finer wood with more and checkering. Most of these Model 1889 12-gauges left Ilion with 2 5/8 inch chambers.