Model 11 20 guage -Prototype? unknown history

[Researcher]

You have an early 20-gauge the "Sportsman", the three-shot version of the 5-shot Model 11. In 1930, Remington Arms Co., Inc. introduced the 20-gauge version of the Model 11 which had serial numbers beginning at 1000000. They also Introduced the fancier three-shot version of the 20-gauge called the "Sportsman" in 1930, and they had serial numbers beginning at S1. In 1931, Remington Arms Co., Inc. added the 16-gauge version of the Model 11 with serial numbers beginning at 1500000. They also introduced the 12- and 16-gauge versions of the "Sportsman" with 12-gauge serial numbers beginning at S500000 and 16-gauge serial numbers beginning at S200000. Ad from June 1931 Field & Stream --



From a Remington brochure --



In the early 1930s, "The Sportsman" had a three-bird roll-stamping on the sides of the receiver and the name "The Sportsman" was roll-stamped on the side of the receiver, while the Model 11 receiver remained plain.

In the 1937-8 time frame, Remington Arms Co., Inc. revised the roll-stamping to one bird on each side of the receiver and started putting it on the Model 11 receivers as well, and they began roll-stamping Model 11 or "The Sportsman" on the breech-bolt at about this time.



They also dropped the separate serial number sequences for "The Sportsman" and began numbering them right along with the Model 11s. Probably all the result of DuPont cost cutters work at Ilion!!

[Researcher]

The "Sportsman" seperate serial number series for 20-gauges ended at S16753 on February 14, 1938. At that time the 20-gauge Model 11 serial numbers were in the 1045xxx range. My 20-gauge the "Sportsman" is a January 1948 (BTT) gun and its serial number is 1093714. We have no information on what the mix may have been from February 1938 to 1948 between Model 11s and the "Sportsman" in those 48000 or so 20-gauge guns.

These old square-back Remingtons don't seem to be much in demand in the market place, and seem to languish in pawn shops in the $200 range. I assembled my set of the "Sportsman" for just a bit over $600 back before the crash of 2008, and both my 12- and 16-gauge guns have solid rib barrels.





I certainly see guys at gun shows hanging higher prices on them, but I don't see them selling!!