So I have two Remington Model 721's in 30-06. The first is First Year Manufacture in March 1948. The second is manufactured in 1952. All the 721's I have seen are like the second one. My 1948 has several interesting features that were changed by the time they made my second one in 1952. The list of features for the 1948: 1. Serial number located inside the receiver on the left side bolt groove, not on the outside (visible only when bolt is pulled to the rear). 2. Bolt handle is not polished and has a dull finish. 3. Trigger is smooth with out serrations and does not have side lips like the later trigger. 4. The magazine follower is silver not blued like later models. 5. Has only three scope mount holes in the receiver instead of the later four. 6. Front sling mount is installed closer to the rear than the later rifle.
I am curious when these features changed? Anyone know when any or all of these features changed?
Any serious collector value/interest for a First Year manufacture 721?
1948 Model 721 Pics
Re: Remington Model 721 First Year Manufacture 1948
Remington Model 721 First Year Manufacture 1948
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- DSCN1630 - Copy.JPG (237.9 KiB) Viewed 463 times
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Last edited by SDMARK777 on Tue Sep 23, 2025 4:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Remington Model 721 First Year Manufacture 1948
Pics of 1952 Remington Model 721 for comparison:
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- DSCN1654 - Copy.JPG (132.74 KiB) Viewed 446 times
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- DSCN1585.JPG (2.61 MiB) Viewed 446 times
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- DSCN1594.JPG (2.54 MiB) Viewed 446 times
Re: Remington Model 721 First Year Manufacture 1948
Interesting comparison between the two rifles. The stocks both look like they are in good shape. I assume that the butt plate has been replaced on the 1948 model. The difference in the polishing of the bolt handle is quite interesting.
Mine is one produced in April 1955. My dad sent it back to Remington in September 1957 to have the trigger safety modified so that the bolt action could be used to unload any cartridges remaining in the chamber or the magazine while the safety was "on." The original trigger and safety design required the safety to be moved to the "fire" position so that bolt action could be unlocked.
I have never had the rifle accidentally discharge with this modification by Remington (though I am aware of some number of unexpected discharges with the original trigger safety and bolt action design and operation).
I learned to fire this rifle using the iron sights. It has had a scope installed in the distant past. It now has a Weaver scope installed.
Mine is one produced in April 1955. My dad sent it back to Remington in September 1957 to have the trigger safety modified so that the bolt action could be used to unload any cartridges remaining in the chamber or the magazine while the safety was "on." The original trigger and safety design required the safety to be moved to the "fire" position so that bolt action could be unlocked.
I have never had the rifle accidentally discharge with this modification by Remington (though I am aware of some number of unexpected discharges with the original trigger safety and bolt action design and operation).
I learned to fire this rifle using the iron sights. It has had a scope installed in the distant past. It now has a Weaver scope installed.