Value of older Remington 1100

[Rhino1]

I inherited my father's 1100 when he passed away a number of years ago. It was probably purchased in 1963 or 64 (serial number 5233V). It is my only shotgun (I'm more of a handgun guy) and I my interest is both nostalgic (since it was my Dad's) and funtional (when I do need a shotgun). I am not a collector, per se. I was considering changing the barrel from plain to ventilated rib and gaining the ability to change out chokes which wasn't available in those days.
My question, is there any collector value to an 1100 of this age? If so, do I ruin that value if I make the barrel change? (For example, Corvettes are more valuable if kept/restored original.) What if I swap out the barrel and keep the original barrel (which I would do), would that affect the value?
I don't anticiate ever getting rid of it but didn't want to do something stupid.
Thanks for your help.

[Virginian]

Wow, that is the earliest serial number I have seen. Definitely 1963. That's even older than mine by over 45,000. Nevertheless, value of 'normal' 1100s is determined purely by condition. By normal, I mean not a commemorative or upgraded model. With a plain fixed choke barrel in very good to excellent condition I would say your gun is worth a maximum $325 to $400. You can go to GunsAmerica and Gunbroker yourself and see what they are bringing. If you check your barrel codes against the chart on this site you can see exactly when it was made.
It is still a very good firearm. I have only found one gun (one particular 870) that I have ever shot better in 51 years of trying. I personally don't think it can be beat for shooting skeet or sporting clays, and mine has been retired from the rigors of field duty to just killing clay pigeons these days. They are extremely reliable when properly taken care of, and I have yet to see anything that soaks up recoil better. And you aren't going to wear it out or ruin it by shooting it. I think a ventilated rib barrel greatly enhances shootability, and you can get one with screw in chokes. You can keep the old barrel for sentimental reasons or sell it to defray costs. The gun will be worth more with a vent rib barrel with screw in chokes, regardless of whether that barrel was original to the gun or not. And, I know what you mean about cars by comparison, I have a GTO.
If you don't have one, go to www.remington.com and download an owner's manual and read it. Good luck.

[Wulfman]

I would definitely keep the original barrel (for "originality" sake) regardless of whether you acquire any additional barrel(s) for it.

PS. I have a '69 Olds 442.


Den

[Virginian]

Okay, off topic for sure, but lets see that Olds. W-30? Specs. When Obama come for my "clunker", he's gonna meet my shotgun too !
My Goat is a 66. 3 deuces, positraction, four speed. If my mother bought it, does it still count as one owner ?

[Rhino1]

Thanks for your help, but ya'll are bringing back painful memories. I had a '69 Corvette, 427, numbers matched, great shape that I had to sell in the divorce and split the money with my ex.