Help identifying 870

[bob42]

I am looking at a 870 Wingmaster which appears to be unusual configuration but may be a good skeet gun. Serial number is 87299x with a "X" following the last number. It has "SC" on the receiver following 870. It has a 26" vent rib barrel marked "Simmons 28 Ga. Skeet" and has a Cutts Comp. attached with a "28 GA SPR" tube on it.
The wood is very nice and the stock butt plate is marked "FAJEN".
Was this a special order gun or made up of parts? Approx date of build? Approx value?
This is my first post and I hope someone can help.
Thank you.

[Virginian]

I believe it started out as a standard frame Skeet 'C' grade, and then got the Simmons rib barrel and all the other stuff, but I am not positive. I am not sure exactly what you could order from the factory back then. Should be early '60s with that serial number. I have no idea on value, but pump guns for skeet, and Cutt's Compensators have both pretty much fallen out of favor since then. I know 20 gauge standard frame guns are somewhat in demand by target shooters, but it is 1100s more than 870s, but I don't know about 28s. You might find someone who really wants one. It ought to be a heck of a light recoiling gun in that configuration.

[Wulfman]

I am looking at a 870 Wingmaster which appears to be unusual configuration but may be a good skeet gun. Serial number is 87299x with a "X" following the last number. It has "SC" on the receiver following 870. It has a 26" vent rib barrel marked "Simmons 28 Ga. Skeet" and has a Cutts Comp. attached with a "28 GA SPR" tube on it.
The wood is very nice and the stock butt plate is marked "FAJEN".
Was this a special order gun or made up of parts? Approx date of build? Approx value?
This is my first post and I hope someone can help.
Thank you.

Bob,

Definitely an "unusual" configuration.

From the following link and my own research and checking through many of my old Remington catalogs.......

http://www.remingtonsociety.com/rsa/journals/870

The "X" designation letter following the serial number would indicate a 20 ga. gun.
12 ga. = V
16 ga. = W
20 ga. = X

The smaller gauges (28 & .410) were not introduced until 1969 (in matched pairs) and 1970 (individually).

"SC" grade guns were only available in the 12 and 20 gauges.
There was never an "SC" grade in the 28 & .410 gauges.....only the "SA" grade.

Draw your own conclusions........
Is it REALLY a 28 gauge or a 20 gauge?
If it's actually a 28 ga., somebody apparently did a weird customization on a 20 ga. (standard) frame gun.


Den