Help identify my 1900 or earlier sxs 12ga, code "LAE&qu

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serial number is 1305xx.

the rail between the top of the barrels has stamped in its scalloped, wavy texture the small "-REMINGTON ARMS CO. ILION,NY,U.S.A.-"

30" barrels, appear to have "damascus" patterning. i've been shooting clays with this gun for 10 years and never knew about the specific hazards with "damascus" patterned barrels till i found your site, so thanks! if my particular gun does not pose the metal weakness threat please inform so i can feel good about continuing shooting it, it is my favorite.

code referencing to steel quality and ejector option clearly reads "LAE" on the bottom of each barrell, just fore of the solder joint, and stamped vertically to be read with the barrell ends facing the reader. is anyone familiar with the code "L" and its meaning?

also on underside of the barrell there are two identical, odd looking "D"s near the solder joint, one on each barrell. the curves of the Ds look more like crescent moons whose tips shoot past the spine of the D.

on the bottom plate soldered to the barrells which seats the (forearm?) (i'm not good with the names of these parts so i'll be descriptive) there are lots of other small symbols and letters stamped, such as an anchor, a cross, a "W.H", and the serial number again on the right side, and on the left side a "WU 3", a broken P in a square, and a double-ended arrow. are these symbols marks of craftspeople involved in the machining, assembly, and testing of the parts, or are they referencing production runs and characteristics?

the downward-protruding flange at the base of the barrell which engages the aft end of the (forearm?) is also stamped with an "F", a "34", as well as two characters, one perhaps an "O", which are both over-stamped with an "X" each.

this shotgun looks nearly identical to the one posted in this link, as much as can be seen in the photo (i'm not encouraging the advertisement of this item, i'm just glad to find a good photo that looks like my old remington):

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976749589.htm#largerexcept for the specific shape of the barrel release lever, where my lever is also rounded similiarly at the end where the thumb pushes, but lays closer to the stock insead of lifting away slightly as with the one pictured.

other markings/stampings:
on the hoprizontal surface below the hammers:
left side:
"PAT.OCT. 30TH94
PAT.OCT. 30TH94"
and "A" and "5"

right side:

"1305xx" (matching serial)
and below, difficult to discern it all, but clearly other numerals stamped in reverse, including a backwards 5(?).

on the trigger guard:
between the two mounting screws, where the last three fingers rest, hand engraved: "1305xx" (matching)

(forearm?): matching patent date and serial number

stock shoulder end: bakelite(?) with central circular logo: "REMINGTON UMC"

Any ideas on mfg date, and likelihood of needing extra life/limb insurance to keep shooting this beauty with today's storebought trap ammo?

[Researcher]

According to the table in Charles Semmer's book on Remington doubles your Model 1894 A- or AE-Grade (you didn't say if it has automatic ejectors or not) was made about 1907. The meanings of many of the numbers and stamps on these guns have been lost to the sands of time. One thing I can say for sure is your butt plate is an incorrect replacement because Remington-UMC didn't come along until 1911, the year after Remington Arms Co. quit making doubles. In February 1910 they sold out their entire stock og break-action shotguns to Norvell-Shapleigh Hardware Co. in St Louis and concentrated on making some real money on their Browning and Pedersen designed repeaters.

You need to check out Charles G. Semmer's book "Remington Double Shotguns." It is available from the author 7885 Cyd Drive, Denver, CO 80221, for $60 plus $5 shipping and handling. It is invaluable if you are going to shoot, invest, collect or play in the Remington double gun field. Remington supplied a number of different pattern Damascus barrels on these old doubles. A picture of their salesman’s sample of the various styles of Damascus available is shown on page 275 of Semmer's book.

Remington Arms Co. stamped the actual pellet counts of their test patterns on the rear barrel lug of their Model 1889 hammer doubles and their Model 1894 and 1900 hammerless doubles. If the number is three digits, that is the count, if the number is two digits a leading 3 is implied. From surviving hang-tags we know the standard load they used to target 12-gauge guns was 1 1/4 ounces of #8 going 511 pellets to the load. My 12-gauge KE-Grade Model 1900 is stamped 33 on the left and 24 on the right. That would be 333/511 = 65% left and 324/511 = 64% right, or about improved modified in both barrels. The chokes measure .027" in both barrels of that gun.

My Father shot an AE-Grade Model 1894 12-gauge made in 1896, from 1943 to 1987, using all manner of Super-X and Federal Hi-Power ammunition with no ill effects. Still I cannot recommend such use and I don't shoot Damascus barrel guns myself. One can easily handload 12-gauge shells to much lower pressures then factory shells. These handloads are easy on you and easy on these old doubles. I load a Remington 209P primer in a Remington STS hull, with 16.4 grains of Clays powder, a Remington TGT-12S wad and 7/8 ounces shot. Pressure is about 6300 psi, about half of the SAAMI max to which most Wally mart shells are loaded.

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thank you, researcher. that book will be an interesting read. i'm located in denver, so getting the book hsould be easy. does charles semmer have a shop here?

my model does have the ejectors.

i have been reading on this site several mentions of the stamped codes, but have not found anything that corresponds with the "L" in my stampings "LAE". any ideas?

thanks for your help!