Older 12 GA Serial Number Question

[JeffRo142]

I inherited a shotgun from my grandfather that was last used in the mid 1960’s. It says, “Manufactured by the Remington Arms Co……..Browning Patents” (followed by 4 dates from the early 1900’s). There are no other markings on the barrel, and only a serial number located underneath and forward of where you would load a shell. That number is: 44637. I have done quite a bit of looking around and am not having much luck in determining how old my shotgun is. Does anyone know how I can find this information? I can’t imagine this shotgun has much resale value, but would appreciate any opinions you might have. Any help would be much appreciated! Thanks, Jeff in Oregon

[admin]

https://www.remingtonsociety.org/serials-1890-1931/

[JeffRo142]

In looking at the link to the older serial numbers I see they are listed by model number. Is my shotgun a Model 11 12 Ga? I’m not sure how make that determination. I’m guessing from looking at pictures. If so it looks like it is from 1907. Can anyone help me with a ballpark estimate for the value of this gun if I decide to sell it? Thank you.
Jeff in Oregon

[JeffRo142]

Thanks for the (non) help. I thought someone could help.

[Researcher]

According to the best serial number chronology I have, your gun is of 1907 vintage. The year J.J. Blanks won the Grand American Handicap with one of these John M. Browning designed Remington guns.

1907 GAH Winner The American Field, June 29, 1907.jpeg

1907 GAH Winner, J.J. Blanks, The American Field, June 29, 1907.jpeg

Your gun is what is known as the "Remington Autoloading Shotgun." The John M. Browning designed shotgun was introduced by Remington Arms Co. in their 1905-06 catalog.

1905-06 Catalogue.jpg

In 1911, Marcellus Hartley Dodge combined his arms and ammunition companies as Remington Arms - Union Metallic Cartridge Co. and in the Rem-UMC 1911-12 Catalog they began listing this gun as the Model No. 11 --

1911-1912 Model 11 A & B.jpeg

1911-1912 Model 11 C.jpg

Both the stock and forearm wood on your gun are replacements. There isn't much demand for these old autoloaders unless in near mint condition or the higher hand-engraved grades. Your gun as it sits would languish in the pawn shops around here with a $175 price tag on it.

[JeffRo142]

Thank you for the information, that was very much appreciated. It was fascinating to read about J.J. Blanks winning the 1907 Grand American Handicap with one of these guns! I had no idea it was quite this old.

[mwisne01]

I recently inherited two Model 11 Remington 12-gauge shotguns. I spent a bit of time looking them up and trying to figure out dates and so forth. One is 371534 with a code of BZ showing up as January 1931. That was fairly clear and aligned with information I had about this shotgun. The other seems a bit more complicated as it does not line up with the known registry information. The serial is 434935 which shows being produced pre-1941, circa 1940, although the date code is BR which is January 1941. I thought it was odd enough to write this as they show all 1941 Model 11's beginning at 440000.

[Researcher]

I don't see anything odd about a receiver put in work during August/September 1940 getting finished up with a January 1941 barrel.