1100 .410 history

[labsrule]

Perhaps someone can help me with some history on a 1100 .410 that I recently bought. Here are some specifics: A fixed skeet choke.410 with a 26" v-rib barrel that measures .500" at the end and .515" before the taper at the breech end. O.D. at the end is .509" and at the breech end is 1.215". Where the barrel rests in the forearm wood, the wood has the size and shape of a 12/20 ga. gun (.721" at the front of the channel and 1.215" at the rear) Above the forearm wood, the barrel has the traditional .410" size, shape, and contour. The barrel seemes to turn into a 12/20 barrel 1/2 way along the wood. It is marked "SIMMONS 410 GA SKEET 2 1/2 in." I have contacted Simmons and they have no idea or records.

I've also contacted Remington and they gave me no help other than to date it via serial #, 130***X, around the early 60's.

The wood is all walnut, not the traditional mahogany that the .410s usually wear. All other metal, i.e. receiver, seems to be of the standard 12/20 size other than the carrier that has been shaped with a .410 well or dent in it to accept shells. The mag tube also seems to have an off set center insert in it for the shells to ride in the right side of the tube. The bolt and bolt face are also both of normal size, other than the extractor claw, which is recessed closer to center to grab the smaller brass diameter.

It is in great shape that I would estimate at 98%, with no wear even showing on the mag tube. Wood and bluing are pristine. I believe that the gun came out of Florida. Any help with history, i.e. Custom Shop, factory options, after market, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

[Researcher]

Before Remington began offering the Model 1100 in 28-gauge and .410-bore, Ernie Simmons was converting larger gauge Model 1100s to the little guns. Actually being built on the larger frames they gave Skeet shooters the same feel as their larger bore 1100s.