Serialization of stocks

[nambujim]

Rem!
Since I feel crummy and have nothing better to do at the moment I'll tell you that I own "a lot" of Model 14's and have repaired (at the last count) 281. I work closely with Tom Hemphill who maintains as serial data base for the 14, 141, & Model 25 Rifles and carbines.

There doesn't seem to be any set pattern for an all matching serial piece, was told when I first got into collecting Model 14's that all matching guns were "special order" which I don't believe is true but who am I to say. I have "several" with all matching serials but there is nothing "special" about them except the serials match. The most common variation is having and upper/lower receiver match with a stock/buttplate that match with a different serial.

There is no question that some guns came out of the factory with mis-matched upper/lower receivers, not common but it did happen. You start to see far more all matching Model 14's late in production and of course virtually every Model 141 I have had contact with is matching.

I cast no dispersions on Remington for the way they did things almost 100 years ago on these virtually "handmade" engineering masterpieces but like the Model 14 itself there is little in the way of what we would call a "standard" in that no two model 14's are identical. The odd and/or inconsistent numbering of the stocks/buttplates is just part of that formula.

My favorite example of this is that I have consecutive serial Model 14's, both in .30 Caliber, one is all matching, the other is not, there are eleven (11) other differences in the two guns (mostly internal) but hopefully you get the idea.

Almost all of my experience is with the Model 14, I have no experience at all with the Model 8 but see no reason why it would be any different. There is no answer to your question but you will get a lot of "educated guesses", hope that I have been helpful.

Kindest regards!

Jim

[remington600]

The serial number under the butt plate on the model 12 does not always match the serial number on the gun, but it's usually in the general area.

Billy Smith

[umcpumpgun]

Remfan, I agree with Billy and Jim. I think it is much rarer for the wood to match the gun sn. than not to match the gun. It is usually in the general ball park as Rem600 said. I have a few guns that were special order that have the wood sn'd to the gun as well as the grade designation stamped beside the # in the wood. An example is a "C" grade mod 25-R that I have that is marked that way. Don't let the mismatched wood scare you into thinking that something is wrong,like Jim said anything goes.

[remington600]

If you have any unusual 12s or 12 items I am currently gathering info. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Billy Smith

[John Gyde]

Billy:

Even my 12-B serial #26 had 36 stamped on the butt plate. I found many were off by a few hundred numbers.

I have 12-A double stamp serial #660,5xx if you're gathering info on when they started and stopped the double stamp.

John

[remington600]

John,

Yes any and all info is welcome. Like we talked earlier if there is any paperwork etc... Maybe not for sale but if I can at least get a high quality scan. I believe I personally own at least 9 different manual. Yes some are small differences but there is difference. If I can get s cans I can at least make note who has them and the stuff exist.

Billy Smith

[John Gyde]

I have a late M/12 manual with DuPont on it.

[Tom H]

Remfan: I keep databases on model 14s & 14½s, 25s, 141s, and30s. I would very much like to get information on yours. My email is hemphill@gvtel.com. I'll look forward to hearing from you....tom h

[rem141r]

thats good to know. i have a really nice rem 14r in 35 that has a rifle style buttstock with a different s/n and always assumed it was a retrofit. but because it matches the slide so well and fits so well i figured it had to be a factory job. all my other 14's and 141's match across the board though.