Pre-Model 11 Original Wood Finish

[OStateFlyer]

Hello all, I've been lurking here learning about Remington Model 11s. I've been the happy owner of a police Wingmaster 870 and I just picked up what appears to be an early Remington Autoloading Gun...a pre-Model 11...serial number 670. I haven't contacted Remington yet, but from reading, I would think that serial number would put it in the first couple of years of production. The gun appears to be all original except for the forend, which has been replaced with a much newer, checkered piece. I would love to find a proper forend for it. That brings me, finally, to my questions:

What forend is proper? From my recent research, it looks like it should be a plain walnut. What about the forends I've seen with a finger groove?

What is the original wood finish? The buttstock appears to be unmolested and original. It appears to have a linseed oil or similar finish.

And because I know I can't be the only one who likes gun pictures...




That forend has to go

[OStateFlyer]

I would also like to know if these early guns were built with the fiber washer in the rear of the receiver?

[Jay Huber]

Your question about the early auto loading shotguns and the use of the fiber cushion has been bugging me so I spent some time going through my catalogs to see if and when that part showed up. The original 1905 catalog does not show a fiber washer in the parts drawings. This holds true thru the 1913 - 14 catalog. Then in the 1915 catalog a fiber cushion and rivet are added to the parts list . This leads me to believe this washer was not part of the original gun. By the way the 1915 catalog was the first to identify the gun as a model 11. I had always assumed the nomenclature was assigned in 1911, and it may have been but not used in print until later. Jay Huber RSA

[Jay Huber]

Also your gun is in the first year of production (1905). The original catalog shows the A grade with a non checkered forearm with a finger groove running right off the front of the forearm. I have seen them available on Ebay under Remington Gun Parts. Finish is a standard Varnish of the time Jay Huber

[OStateFlyer]

Thank you for the info! I can confirm the lack of a fiber cushion in this gun. I disassembled/cleaned/lubed it and did not find any remnants of a cushion or blind rivet, only years of filth. It looked as if there was simply no place for one either. Need I worry about the bolt beating the back of the receiver in the event that I do shoot the gun? Light loads only?

Now the hunt is on for a proper forend!

[Jay Huber]

The fiber washer was probably added to Model 11 production in the 1914 era because of the introduction of more powerful ammunition like magnums etc. I would think you should have no trouble if you stick to lighter loads. I will keep my eye open for a forearm. Jay Huber RSA