Remington Model 1894 Pigeon and Trap Guns

Topics related to Pre - 1898 Remington Shotguns
AZMike
Posts: 114
Joined: Tue Sep 05, 2017 6:53 am

Remington Model 1894 Pigeon and Trap Guns

Post by AZMike »

The Model 1894 Hammerless was made from 1894-1910 with 41,194 guns produced.
I have been "banking" serial numbers as I can find guns on auction sites, sales catalogs or listings or other sources such as Charles Semmers "Remington Double Shotguns". Lots of photos show grips with numbers.
My goal is to establish a time line "window" of production and delivery of these target grade competition Remingtons.

There was no special assignment of serial numbers to these guns. Remington produced all special order guns consecutively with standard 1894 models. These competition models had concave ribs with double sighting beads and straight stocks. The Pigeon Gun had no safety with the slot being filled and engraved over.
The Pigeon Gun (live bird) was first advertised in the 1902 catalog (McKee Publications). Of the six guns I have serial numbers from four are "C" Grade, one "B" Grade and one "FE" Grade. Five of the six guns wear 1905 serial numbers (132...) and one is a 1908 (137...). Sources are Double Gun Journal Volume 1 Issue 4, "Remington Double Shotguns" and my own guns.

The FE Trap Gun was introduced in the 1906 catalog (Arthur McKee) as the Hammerless "Trap" Gun Grade FE and a "CEO" Trap Gun was also listed. It appears the Pigeon Grade was no longer offered. Perhaps the five 1905 Pigeon Guns sold were the "last chance" kind of sale. Trapshooting had been evolving away from live birds to clay targets.
I have nine serial numbers for Model FE Guns: Four from 1906, two CEO Trap Guns from 1907 and three FE's that date 1910 (the last year offered). Sources are the same as listed above.
My "data" is of course very limited but seems to show the small number of these fine guns made for a very short amount of time. It looks like first and last years offered were the most delivered. Please feel free to add dates from your Pigeon Grade or FE Remington to my list!
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Researcher
Posts: 1080
Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2003 11:06 pm
Location: Washington and Alaska

Re: Remington Model 1894 Pigeon and Trap Guns

Post by Researcher »

The "Pigeon Gun" first appears in the first 1902 Remington Arms Co. catalog, and even though they state "Ordnance" steel barrels, they list CE, DE and EE Grades. Nowhere in the text do they state no safety, and the illustration shows a safety slide.
Pigeon Gun, 1902 Remington Arms Co. catalog.jpeg
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By that second 1902 catalog, that I have never seen an original of, they change the grades to CEO, DEO and EEO.
1902 Pigeon Gun 2nd 1902 catalog.jpeg
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By the 1903-04 Remington Arms Co. catalog these are the Trap Gun --
Trap Gun, 1903-04 Remington Arms Co. catalog.jpeg
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The 1904-05 and 1905-06 are the same, but the 1905-06 catalog added the FE-Grade --
1905-06 Trap Gun page 19.jpeg
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To the end in 1909 the FE-Grade and the CEO-Grade were offered as Trap Guns --
1909 Catalog pg 18 Trap Guns pictures.jpeg
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1909 Catalog pg 19 Trap Guns text.jpeg
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I believe that any no-safety Remington Hammerless Double was a special order item --
139072 05 CEO-Grade Pigeon Gun.jpg
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Researcher
Posts: 1080
Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2003 11:06 pm
Location: Washington and Alaska

Re: Remington Model 1894 Pigeon and Trap Guns

Post by Researcher »

The no-safety guns I've recorded are all in the 132xxx and higher serial number range. The one that broke my heart was, 139928, a DEO-Grade that Pete Harvey had at the Pikesville, Maryland, gun show at least three decades ago that had a very poorly done retro-fit safety.
2shooter
Posts: 228
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2007 5:42 pm
Location: ohio

Re: Remington Model 1894 Pigeon and Trap Guns

Post by 2shooter »

I have two F Trap guns and one D Grade Live Pigeon Gun. One is picture in Charles Semmers book.
Art McKee started longing all Remington Model serial numbers fifty years ago I have all the numbers and have added serial numbers. Regards 2shooter
AZMike
Posts: 114
Joined: Tue Sep 05, 2017 6:53 am

Re: Remington Model 1894 Pigeon and Trap Guns

Post by AZMike »

2shooter,
Art McKee's list would be very interesting indeed! He did a wonderful job on the catalog re-prints- I bought from him in the 80's. I have 2 C grade Pigeon Shooters and one FE that I like to shoot. One is also in Charles book. I will PM to you. Thank you for the posting- Mike

Dave_ Reseacher, thank you for the great catalog print outs! I am a very good farmer/tractor driver but you are a pro at getting great information on the computer screen.
I bought my first Pigeon Grade Remington at the Alaska Gun Collectors Winter show in Anchorage AK in 1981, moved back to AZ a few years later (had kids etc) and started a business and needed to re-assign my assets a bit (many Remingtons were re-homed). 30 years later I was able to get my Pigeon gun back! It's the Damascus gun on page 224. I know why I didn't collect Parkers!
Researcher
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Location: Washington and Alaska

Re: Remington Model 1894 Pigeon and Trap Guns

Post by Researcher »

When I was a kid, leading the charge of the baby boomers, my Father had Winchester rifles Model 54 .22 Hornet, Model 70 .30-06, Model 71 .348 Win., Model 94 .32 WS & Model 67 .22s. His shotguns were Remingtons, a pair of AE-Grades in 12- and 16-gauge for the uplands and his The Sportsman 12-gauge 30-inch full for waterfowl. Interesting that your gun is on page 224. That forearm woodscrew lost purchase on my Father's 12-gauge and he installed a screw with an escutcheon just like those pictured on the bottom of page 224.

I still have that gun, but the 16-gauge, serial number 136036, was stolen out of his house in 1978. In the early 1960s The Sportsman flowed down the river of commerce and he got a 2-frame Parker Bros. as his waterfowl gun.
Oom George
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2021 6:10 am

Re: Remington Model 1894 Pigeon and Trap Guns

Post by Oom George »

Here is another one for the serial number list. I recently purchased from an estate a Model 94 trap gun. The serial number is P.132793. The right barrel is marked Trap Gun F Grade. On an inside surface of the receiver is faintly marked "Oct 30st 94." I'm guessing that is the patent or model date. The gun is in reasonably good shape with some dents in the stock. Some of the case hardening color remains on the receiver and the bores are good. I think that it is full and full, but not sure.

Would be interested in any comments. Is it normal to have a "P." preceding the serial number?

Thanks, George
2shooter
Posts: 228
Joined: Sat Jun 02, 2007 5:42 pm
Location: ohio

Re: Remington Model 1894 Pigeon and Trap Guns

Post by 2shooter »

George,, The P was added to serial number and your F Trap was made 1905.. The Q was add to the Model 1900..
Fowlgunner
Posts: 187
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:44 pm

Re: Remington Model 1894 Pigeon and Trap Guns

Post by Fowlgunner »

There's at least 1 EEO out there, Dave you have it don't you?

I'll make Mike look for it a little while! Lol

Will
Researcher
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Re: Remington Model 1894 Pigeon and Trap Guns

Post by Researcher »

There's at least 1 EEO out there, Dave you have it don't you?
I have listed an EEO with no safety, 137777 --
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Researcher
Posts: 1080
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Location: Washington and Alaska

Re: Remington Model 1894 Pigeon and Trap Guns

Post by Researcher »

On an inside surface of the receiver is faintly marked "Oct 30st 94." I'm guessing that is the patent or model date.
Two patents pertaining to the Remington Hammerless Double were issued on the same day, October 30, 1894. No. 528,507 pertaining to the milling of the frame was granted to R. C. Fay of Ilion, New York, assignor to the Remington Arms Company of same place; and No. 528,508 pertaining to the automatic ejectors, to R.C. Fay and G.E. Humphreys of Ilion, New York, assignor to the Remington Arms Company of same place.
Fowlgunner
Posts: 187
Joined: Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:44 pm

Re: Remington Model 1894 Pigeon and Trap Guns

Post by Fowlgunner »

That's the one it was brought to light on this forum and should still be able to be found through the search function.

Just not listed as an EEO or a Pigeon Gun so it would take some doing!

Mike appreciates it I'm sure! Lol

I think there are 4 maybe 5 other photos.

Will
Fowlgunner
Posts: 187
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Re: Remington Model 1894 Pigeon and Trap Guns

Post by Fowlgunner »

I again point to the Hartly and Graham catalog that insinuates a Pigeon Gun is no more than a Straight Stocked one! Lol
Pigeon Gun.PNG
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Researcher
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Re: Remington Model 1894 Pigeon and Trap Guns

Post by Researcher »

I have 11 pics of 137777. Here are some more --
137777 01.jpg
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137777 08.jpg
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137777 11.jpg
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AZMike
Posts: 114
Joined: Tue Sep 05, 2017 6:53 am

Re: Remington Model 1894 Pigeon and Trap Guns

Post by AZMike »

Wow Dave thanks for the pictures!
A brace of Setters on point....I can feel the action, waiting for the covey to explode!!
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