Confirming research details on Model 1900

[Daxarooo]

Hallo Hallo!

I've been looking for a while and am very excited to have picked up my first SxS.

I've got it stripped down for cleaning right now but in the mean time I've been pouring over the archives trying to figure out what I can about it.

I believe I've narrowed it down to being a KE grade Model 1900 that was built in 1907 (I erroneously knocked it as 1960s~ because of the Q prefix serial and going to the wrong serial lookup, very excited to see that it's a bit older)

One thing I haven't been able to decipher is part of the letter code on the barrels: LKEB

I assume the "KE" is the grade, steel barrels with split rod ejector, but I haven't found another example with "L" or "B" or anything on what they might infer.

Thank you so much for your time!

[Researcher]

I have been looking at and recording those markings for some time and what I've come up with is --

L is light frame 12-gauge -- /// is standard frame 12-gauge -- X is 16-gauge

KE is the grade of the gun

B is a date/batch or some other code I haven't thought of yet.

The Q on the trigger guard tang is a Remington inventory code they began using with the switch to the later style frame with the relocated sear pin and the separate firing pins between 348604 and 353470. P was the inventory code for the Model 1894s.

[dieNusse1]

Questions answered and questions renewed.

I have a 1910 vintage KED lite weight. It is stamped LKEDY. That explains the leading L.

A 1902 standard K I have is stamped STAR KG3. The star is five pointed. No hash marks.

In discussions with Charles Semmer many years ago we talked about lite weight 1900s and the transition to the two piece hammer/firing pin as they are not mentioned in his book as I recall.

Also my KED has an extra part. The attached drawing gives dimensions. It sits on the hammer pivot pin. Have no idea what its purpose might be. It is well made and appears to be original to the gun.

Questions -- when were lite weights made and how many were produced? Also, are there any 1894 lite weights?

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[Researcher]

I have not recorded a star on a Model 1900, but I've recorded five on Model 1894s all on guns with the early style frames, serial numbers from the 114xxx to 131xxx range.

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This DE-Grade has the star at the end of the string of letters --

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In addition to the normally seen ///, L & X on the Model 1900s I've also recorded two with a $.

[Researcher]

I have recorded five Ls on Model 1894s --

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all in the 130xxx & 131xxx range and all A-Quality guns, A, AE, & AER.

[dieNusse1]

FYI - the S/N for the 1902 K stamped STAR KG3 is 320187.

I sent the data for all my hammer and hammerless guns to Charles Semmer back in the day. I have no idea where all his data is since his passing.