Pre-1921 Manufacturer Dates

[txtarpon]

Am a new visitor to the RSA and was wondering why the manufacturer dates available on the site do not extend back beyond 1921? Specifically, why aren't the manufacturer dates of the Remington New Model Army posted to the site? There are numerous questions about the dates of the New Model Army posted on the RSA Forums page and sometimes they are answered and sometimes they are not. I know Jay Huber seems to be a great resource but I'm sure he can't answer every inquiry.

[DavidFagan]

Well REMINGTON didn't start marking the barrels with date codes until 1921...

For a not for profit organization and a group of volunteers I believe the RSA supplies a whole lot of information free including many fine articles from the journal online for the public otherwise only available to paying members who support the organization.

[txtarpon]

Very much appreciate the reply but someone, for instance Jay Huber, has the manufacturer dates in some shape or form. Why aren't they shared on the site? Pretty much 90 percent of postings on the Forum are requests for manufacturer dates. So posting the information that is available certainly would be of benefit to a majority of the collectors who visit the site. Is there a reason the information is not shared?

[DavidFagan]

People have literally dedicated years of effort in research for support of the organization and for the benefit of others who have chosen to be supporting members of the society.

[remington600]

You could not of said it better Dave. That's the benifit I am looking for when I pay my yearly dues.

[txtarpon]

So for joining RSA at $45 am I guaranteed as a member to find out the serialization of the Remington New Model Army? It seems like a hefty fee, when the only thing I'm really interested in, like 90 percent of the people who post on the Forum, is the date of manufacturer.

[DavidFagan]

No membership doesn't "guarantee" you someone's life work. If however your a Remington collector and support the work the organization, the work people have done to make research available, want to receive one of the finest publications and learn more about everything Remington you should join and support the organization!

If however you are interested in the date of manufacture of one firearm you should post your question on the forum, appreciate all the work of the organization and people who share their knowledge and that do take the time to answer like the other 90%.

[txtarpon]

Thanks, David. I appreciate the passion you and the RSA members have for Remingtons. But, my question is just not that complicated. I simply want a manufacturer date for a revolver I picked up. I previously posted that question - with the serial number - to the Forum without any response. And 90 percent of the other people I see posting questions to the Forum are not answered as well. I am an avid collector of antique firearms and have no problem researching the serialization of Colt, Springfield, Marlin or Winchester. It just makes no sense that the history of Remington revolvers is not shared with all collectors. Hopefully future visitors to RSA will have a better experience than I. As for me, I'll just stick to SAAs. Want to buy a NMA?

[DavidFagan]

I believe is there are voids of records in most of those manufactures as well, certainly I have a Marlin or two that can only can be "estimated". Additionally last I checked Cody nor Colt give away all their records for free either. However I believe the reason the posts go unanswered is because complete records simply do not exist. I don't know what Jay has or doesn't have from what I understood most of the records were lost in a fire, I was surprised he was able to answer any of these.

[txtarpon]

David - For a comprehensive list of manufacturer dates for Colt, Winchesters, Brownings and many other gun brands please check out http://proofhouse.com/. Thanks.

[DavidFagan]

Maybe you should ask them to add Remington.

[txtarpon]

I'd ask them to but they'd probably be in the same boat I am - having to pay $45 to join RSA to get the dates. I wish you well, My Friend !