Remington 1889 Grade 3

[Dan Printz]

I would like some additional information on a Remington 1889 Grade 3. What year was the manufacture date on serial number 207504?

[Dan Printz]

In addition to the year, I would like more information on the choke sizes. The right BBL is .744 & the choke is .700 & that gives you a choke of .44 (extra full). The left BBL is .745 & the choke is .703 & that gives you a choke of .42 (also extra full). Is this right? I thought the bore size was somewhere around .729, give or take...

[Dan Printz]

Also, I have a Galazan Choke Gauge 12/20 & it says it is modified for both BBL's, however I have a Precision Skeets Gun Shop gauge & that is where I come up with the numbers on my previous post.

[Researcher]

Remington Arms Co. Model 1889 serial number 207504 would be of early 1901 vintage. I don't have a gun of 1901 vintage, but my Remington doubles from 1895 and 1896 have bores of .744". The pellet counts of the actual test patterns shot at the factory with the gun should be stamped on the bottom of the rear lug. If the numbers are two digits, a leading 3 is implied. We know from surviving hang tags that the load 12-gauge Remington doubles were targeted with was 1 1/4 ounce of #8 shot going 511 pellets to the load. My 12-gauge KE-Grade Model 1900 is stamped 33 on the left and 24 on the right. That would be 333/511 = 65% left and 324/511 = 64% right, or about improved modified in both barrels. The chokes measure .027" in both barrels of that gun.

[Dan Printz]

Many thanks!!! I'm sure I'll have many more questions.