model 1100 with gold inlay

[bwhulen]

I'm having trouble finding info on the 1100 i have. Model 1100 vent rib 28" mod bbl. left side of bbl is stamped "a x k 1" and the right side bbl has a oval type of stamp with either "RER" "RCR" then a little arrow looking mark then a "F" with a "M" below and off to right slightly. The reciever has fairly typical engraving but it is gold inlay the serial # is 61xxxV. cant find it in the books that i have seen, any help would be appreciated.

[Virginian]

I am assuming you did not buy this gun new. Gold 'filling' the scrollwork was fairly common for a while there, back when. I think you can still buy the kits.
According to the barrel marks and serial number, your gun was made the first year; 1963, in December. Yours was about 5,000 behind mine, making me think yours probably had a steel 'O' ring too.

[bwhulen]

thanks for the response..are you saying that the gold inlay is not factory? also what do you think the gun is worth. you are right i did not buy the gun new, bought it from a friend bout 20 yrs ago, it was his deceased father's who was fairly prominent and one who i would think would not put the inlay on himself but one never knows. i am really looking for the ballpark value here, ie if the age and inlay make this gun any more valuable.

[Virginian]

Unless the gun was a Ducks Unlimited Commemorative or the like, which it isn't by that Serial #, the gold filling was almost surely done aftermarket. My ex brother-in-law did his about 1969, and it looked pretty good if you like that sort of thing. Age and/or gold don't add any value. Highly, highly dependent on condition, but a 2-3/4" gun should fall between maybe $250 and $450. Value goes up steeply on the top end as they get close to "as new". Great guns, but the fact there are a zillion of them out there keeps prices down. Unlike the Ithaca 51, the auto that was going to run every other auto out of business when it came out. Not that many out there and still not worth that much.
I also remember when they said the Auto 5 was going to run the 1100 off the market. The Winchester 1400... SX-1... SX-2... Sx-3, the Beretta 3**, the whatever........45 years later, and guess what?

[bwhulen]

Unless the gun was a Ducks Unlimited Commemorative or the like, which it isn't by that Serial #, the gold filling was almost surely done aftermarket

thanks again for your input virginian you are most likely right ...is there anyone out there who can confirm for me if this is an aftermarket or factory inlay job? or if remington made any early 1100's with gold inlay?

[tudurgs]

Yes, Remington made guns with real gold inlays - designated "F" grades. Also had heavy hand engraving and high grade wood. Suspect your gun has gold paint rubbed into the rolled engraving. That treatment was on some selected models from the factory, and a number were done in the aftermarket

[bwhulen]

thanks tudurgs, how can one tell the different grades? is there a stamp or just the difference in wood and engraving? the reason i am asking all this is when i went to trade this gun at a local shop the guy couldn't find it anywhere in his books and even called remington and eventually told me he thought this gun might be worth alot of money. i will try to post some pics when i get a chance but other than the gold inlay and age this gun seems to me to be unremarkable...same finish on wood as all 1100's and no extra engraving so i thought and am thinking that you all are right but i dont know alot about 1100's (well i do now) but i wanted to be sure i dont have something of great value .thanks again for any more input

[Virginian]

If it has impressed checkering, you can be 99.999% sure it is a run of the mill 1100 that someone added the gold to the scrollwork. If it has great wood and real checkering then it likely is a higher grade, and worth slightly more. Gold was still probably added by some individual. If it has the better wood, and a lot of extra genuine engraving (not rollmarking), and a special serial number, and likely a little gold emblem specific to some organization or individual, like "Congratulations Neil Armstrong on your moon walk", it may be worth a lot of money.
When you say you can't find it in any books, what are you looking for?

[tudurgs]

The question is "What is the gold inlay?" Is it truly a bunch of gold in the shape of a dog, duck, deer, etc, or is it gold paint filled in the rolled engraving. If it is an F grade, you'll know it.