Model 31 made in August 1931

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mfharper
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2016 6:12 pm

Model 31 made in August 1931

Post by mfharper »

I just acquired my first Remington shotgun. A model 31 that I believe was made in August of 1931 the gun is in pretty good shape for its age. Does anybody know how many different grades were produced the first year of manufacture? I'll try to post a few pictures.
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Researcher
Posts: 1080
Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2003 11:06 pm
Location: Washington and Alaska

Re: Model 31 made in August 1931

Post by Researcher »

The receiver with serial number 399 would have been put in work the last few days of June or the first few days of July 1931. That is not original wood for a Model 31A "Standard" grade of that era. The folder introducing the Model 31 --
Folder introducing the Model 31 inside.jpeg
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A June 1931 magazine ad --
Model 31 ad June 1931 Field & Stream.jpg
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The style butt stock on the gun in question was introduced in 1937 as the Model 31AP "Standard" Grade --
Model 31AP Standard Grade.jpeg
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and until they were used up from inventory the "Standard Grade guns with the checkered stocks and forearms were sold as Model 31AC "Standard" grades --
Model 31AC Standard Grade 8-37.jpeg
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The forearm wood on the gun in question isn't anything Remington ever produced for the Model 31. It looks like the barrel of 399 has been badly buffed and reblued.

I don't have anything from 1931 which lists all the grades offered. The little pocket catalogue which first shows the Model 31A "Standard" Grade also mentions Trap Guns with solid and ventilated ribs. By the 1933 Remington Arms Co., Inc. Retail Price List they offer --

Model 31A "Standard" Grade $47.50
Model 31R "Riot" Grade $47.50
Model 31B "Special" Grade $78.00
Model 31S "Trap Special" Grade (solid rib) $64.90
Model 31TC "Target" Grade (vent rib) $90.00
Model 31D "Tournament" Grade $136.40
Model 31E "Expert" Grade $204.60
Model 31F "Premier" Grade $272.80

One could of course also upgrade your "Target" Grade to a TD, TE or TF. Vent ribs were an extra cost option on 12-gauges and solid ribs an extra cost option on all gauges. In 1934 they added the Model 31 Skeet Gun to their offerings.

Since this thread was started, serial number 53 has appeared on the market --
53 02.jpg
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Last edited by Researcher on Tue Mar 03, 2020 9:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
rem1894
Posts: 28
Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2014 7:03 pm

Re: Model 31 made in August 1931

Post by rem1894 »

Yes the metal has been reblued and not a good job. Also wood is not original. The model 31A up to around 1935 all came standard with checkering on them. A lot of dealers on the auction sites have the early model 31A and try do sell them as the model 31B because of the checkering they think it is a 31B. The model 31B has very fancy wood on them. Terry
mfharper
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2016 6:12 pm

Re: Model 31 made in August 1931

Post by mfharper »

Thanks for the information guys. Researcher, I paid just a little more than list price! I have a lead on the son of the original owner. Hopefully I can find out a little of the history. This is the smoothest pump fun I've ever used dispite it's age.
gmac
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Feb 04, 2020 2:17 pm

Re: Model 31 made in August 1931

Post by gmac »

I have a model 31 and all serial no are the same 718 I couldnt believe all the different parts that were stamped I dont know when it was built but it is in very good condition
sgtsemo
Posts: 21
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 6:50 pm

Re: Model 31 made in August 1931

Post by sgtsemo »

I have Model 31 #2230 which I thought was pretty early, until I read this post.
The numbers on my gun match.
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