Help with a Model 11 Shotgun

[D-and-K]

Hi - we were referred to your group by the Historian at Remington... Kudos to you all and your group knowledge!!

We believe that this is a Model 11, 20 gauge, Remington because of the traditional 'humpback' and similarity to the Browning A-5. The other Model 11's that we have seen, however, only have 1 'critter' engraved on each side - note in the photos that there are '3' on each side... in reading some of the other posts - "this appears to have been common when the "Sportsman" first came out circa 1931, it had roll-stamped game scenes featuring three birds on each side of the receiver" (post# http://remingtonsociety.com/forums/view ... f=7&t=2717) - our stocks are checkered, however, which doesn't seem to coincide with the 3-birds on each side.

The gal we spoke with at Remington was as confused by the serial number being only the 4-digit number '9735' as we are... but also said that she hasn't seen a 'premier' Model 11; she also indicated that there were some early models that they don't have records of that you folks might... It is made by Remington Arms Co., Inc which, according to another of your posts means it is post-1920... but then it says that serial numbers began in the 200000 range... (post #http://remingtonsociety.com/forums/view ... f=7&t=2711) another consternation with ours being 9735... It is a clean serial number, not showing any alterations or anything; It is a semi-auto with Browning's patent: 689,283-710,094-730,870-812,326.

We appreciate any help you can provide.
Deanna & Keith

[Researcher]

Looks like you have a lovely early "Sportsman" but I have no idea why the low serial number. There use to be a great article on these guns in the magazine section of the Remington web site. I think it may have originally been published in the Remington Society of America Journal for the 2nd Quarter of 2000, but I don't have that issue. At any rate, the author was collecting serial number data and had a templet there for persons to send him info on their guns. Apparently he had found discrepancies from the conventional wisdom of 20-gauges starting at 1000000 and 16-gauges starting at 1500000, and was trying to compile a data base.

[Ranchero66]

I too have a gun like this. Mine was passed down to me by my great-grandfather, who used it for pheasant and duck hunting. It's a20-gauge, With three birds on each side. Serial number is 4891. It is equipped with a Cutts compensator and choke. It sports checkering on the forend, but not the butt of the gun. I'll get pictures as soon as I can, if it wants to be seen.

[D-and-K]

Thank you, both, for your help. It does seem that we shouldn't worry about the low serial number being 'odd' or 'out of kilter' with the remington web site... It does seem consistent and a Model 11

Does anyone have any idea which 'type' this is? With the checkering on both the forend and butt stocks, and the 3-pheasants & 3-ducks on each side?

Thanks, again!
Deanna

[35Rem]

Looks to be a "standard" or "A" grade gun, nothing too special there. I am intrigued by the low serial number on a (or 2 actually) 20 gauge. As someone else stated, it is generally accepted that 20's started at serial number 1,000,000. Most likely another "Remington-ism" - something done at the factory that doesn't agree with the norm.
Beautiful looking gun. The 3 birds was the early standard engraving pattern, which was later changed to just 1 bird per side.
Checkering seems normal, it's the earlier "Round Knob" style as most early 30's guns had. The model 11 was made with a round know, like the Auto-5 Brownings early on.

[D-and-K]

Thanks ~ it is nice to know that there is more than 1 'Remington-ism' as you state (low serial number Model 11-a). The historian at Remington thought that the serial number was odd and thought that someone from the Remington Society might be able to shed some light on it.

Thanks, again, for the help in identifying this shotgun!
;D