Remington "Long Range Guns"

[Researcher]

In their 1939 thru 1942 catalogues Remington offers their 12-gauge 2 3/4 inch guns -- Model 11, Sportsman, and Model 31 -- in a special "Long Range" model for an extra $4.40 retail (1939) up to $5.35 (1942). The catalogue designation on these guns was Model 11XA, Sportsman XA, Model 31XA and Model 31XTC. No such listings after WW-II in my January 7, 1947, catalogue. They make a big deal out of extra range with out the weight and bulk of a special gun -- a shot at the Winchester Model 12 Duck, Fox-Sterlingworth Wildfowl, etc. no doubt!?! Anyone know anything about these Remington guns? Were they over-bored or just special choke? The Remington Model 31-TC I recently bought has a barrel code of May 1949, and the bore diameter is .744". I'm wondering if this was original from Ilion or if this barrel has been worked over by the likes of Stan Baker. How were these guns with "Long Range" barrels marked? It was available in 30-inch plain or solid rib barrels for the Model 11, "Sportsman" and Model 31; and with a 30-inch vent rib barrel on the New Improved Model 31XTC. Reading the text more closely it sounds like it is just a special long range choke -- like that "Turkey Choke Tube" that today's nimrod has to have!

[RM31]

I have an older model 31 T that has this type of barrel. However, the serial number is four digits, which would make it older then 1939. On the reciever, all it says is Model 31-T. The numbers on the barrel and reciever match.

When I bought this gun, I was told that when Remington testfired the guns, they were also patterned. They would take the guns with the best patterns and mark them long range. I believe they would take 4 or 5 out of a 100.

I hope this helps,
Nick

[Researcher]

I just stumbled on 1933 and 1934 Remington Retail Price Lists in my stuff and they also mention the "special Long Range Barrels." For some reason they are not mentioned in either my 1938 catalogue or my 1938 Dealer's Price List, but they are in my 1939 Dealer's Price List.

What I don't see anywhere is a Model 31T! There is the Model 31-TC which is the "Target" Grade with ventilated rib, and the Model 31S the "Trap Special" Grade with raised solid rib or matted top surface of barrel. I have Remington paper from 1932, 1933, 1934, 1938, 1939, 1942, 1947, and 1949, and see no listing of a Model 31T. There is 31A, 31AP, 31R, 31S, 31B, 31-TC, 31D, 31E, and 31F; 31LA, 31LR, 31LB, 31LD, 31LE and 31LF; and in 1947 there was a 31H a "Hunters Special" with a raised solid rib which was a 12-gauge gun like the 31S "Trap Special" but with field stock dimensions. For some reason the Model 31 for Skeet shooting didn't have a letter appended it was just the Model 31"Skeet" Grade.

[RM31]

I do believe that the gun is factory orginal. It does have the standard vented rib (milled of courses). I have never been able to find anything on a 31-T either. Judging from the serial number (6XXX), I think it would be in the first year of production. I have been able to find two explanations. 1) It is a mistake. Someone left off the C. 2) It is an early model, and it was not yet standard practice to put the grade, unless d, e, or f.

If you have any information on this mystery mark, I would like to hear anything you have found.

Thanks again,
Nick