just received an 1100 as a gift, few questions

[skohler]

I have an 870 super mag that has been my deer, turkey, pheasant gun for quite a few years. A friend recently gave me an 1100 that I would appreciate any feedback as to build quality and likely date of production.

The receiver has "trap" stamped on the left side, the wood is really nice and relatively free from dings and scratches. Serial number is L068733V, which perhaps places this late '60s early '70s??

Barrels are as follows:
Full, with a stamped 6 KS R (barrel dates to 5/69??)
Skeet, CY 35 Shorter lengthwise than the other 2 (dates to 4-74??)
Mod, KS (again 5/69?)

Would it be safe to assume that the gun would date from 1969 and likely came with the 2 barrels dated 5/69? The finish is very deep with minimal wear on both the gun and all the barrels, not sure it was used very much. All the barrels have a raised rib, midlenth BB and white ball at the end of the barrel. Personally, I like older guns as a lot of them were built better, not sure if this follows with the 1100's.

It is too cold right now to test fire, just trying to do a little research on dissassembly and cleaning to get it ready for spring.

Thanks!

[Virginian]

I would say May 1969 is an excellent guess, since it fits the time frame of the Serial number and both possibly trap barrels. The second barrel may have been bought at the same time the gun was purchased, like I did with two of mine, but it probably only 'came' with one barrel. If it has the trap stock dimensions I wonder how well the original owner did with skeet. I do not seriously think there was any general change in quality with 1100s up until the late 80s - even though a 'lemon' may have occassionally squeezed out. I don't know that there was a quality change then as much as a shift in materials/techniques. The new Sporting models are very nice too.
I do like the original 'style', no doubt, and all 4 of mine that I have left are from that era.

[skohler]

Thanks for the info! I've never been all that great shooting skeet, I'm a little better with trap, perhaps this setup will give me a little bit of help.

Of the barrels listed, which one likely is original to the receiver?

Steve

[Virginian]

Hard to say for sure between the Modified and the Full. I thought most of the trap models, at least the ones I have seen, had TRAP on the barrel, too. Either way, she ought to work well.