Model 11 16 ga

[shawn]

My wife has a model 11 16 ga that she got from her father. The barrel markings are: IMP CYL. On this site I was able to lookup C=April Y=1930, but what does the L signify and what about the IMP? Also, the serial number is: 1590867, does this match with the date of the barrel?

I want to take it to a gunsmith to get it in shooting condition and get at least the rear stock replaced as a small piece has split off on each side where the stock meets the receiver. I also thought about having it polished and blued. Any recommendations on getting this looking like the original? I really don't want to spend a fortune, but it has sentimental value to my wife and I would like to get it looking nice and firing so she can blast some clay with it.

Thanks!
-Shawn

[shawn]

Sorry, also, if I get new wood and new blue, should I get the satin or gloss wood (it appears glossy now) and the matte or glossy blue (it's hard to tell what it was originally)?

Thanks!
-Shawn

[Researcher]

Imp Cyl is the choke marking, not the barrel date code. The 16-gauge Model 11 was introduced in 1931 with serial numbers beginning at 1500000. The old factory ledger that is available on this site goes up to serial number 1551120 in June 1942. So, my guess would be that your gun is one of the very last ones made in 1947 or 48.

[shawn]

Imp Cyl is the choke marking, not the barrel date code. The 16-gauge Model 11 was introduced in 1931 with serial numbers beginning at 1500000. The old factory ledger that is available on this site goes up to serial number 1551120 in June 1942. So, my guess would be that your gun is one of the very last ones made in 1947 or 48.

OK thanks! I saw the IMP CYL on another thread after I posted, so I guess I need to remove the barrel to find the serial number. Also, after some more research it looks like its an 11A as it has the birds on either side of the receiver as well as the newer safety.

Any advice on restocking / bluing? What would be a fair maximum (opinions) to spend on fixing this up?

Also, has anyone seen a PDF of the manual for this gun?

Thanks!
-Shawn

[Researcher]

11A was the basic grade from the beginning of use of the term Model No. 11 around 1911 in the Remington Arms - Union Metallic Cartridge Co. catalogues. The Company name was changed to Remington Arms Co., Inc. in 1920. The safety was changed from the lever inside the trigger guard to the cross-bolt behind the trigger in the late 1920s. The 16-gauge wasn't introduced until 1931, and all have the cross-bolt safety. When the three-shot version, "The Sportsman" was introduced in 1930 in 20-gauge and 1931 in 16- and 12-gauges they had a three-bird roll-stamp on each side of the receiver, and their own serial number sequence, while the five-shot Model 11 was still plain. Controlling interest in Remington was acquired in 1934. Circa 1937, they reduced the roll-stamping on the sides of "The Sportsman" to one bird on each side, and started putting that roll-stamp on the Model 11s as well. They also began putting the "The Sportsman" or "Model 11" on the bolts about that time, and dropped the seperate serial number sequence for "The Sportsman" numbering them right along with the Model 11s. I've always kind of figured this making the Model 11 and The Sportsman receivers the same was a DuPont efficiency expert cost cutting measure.

Up thru at least the 1913-14 Remington Arms - Union Metallic Cartridge Co. catalogue the Model No. 11A had a plain walnut half-pistol grip stock and forearm without checkering. By the Rem-UMCCo. catalogue of 1918-19 the Model 11A had gotten a full pistol grip but was still plain without checkering. It remained like that in the 1923 Remington Arms Co., Inc. catalogue. By the 1929 Remington Arms Co., Inc. catalogue the Model 11A got a checkered pistol grip and forearm.

You should be able to get a manual by calling Remington.

[shawn]

It seems impossible to find a new or used stock and forend for a 16GA. Will any other model stock fit the model 11, like the 11-48?

Thanks!

[Researcher]

Nope! None of the later Remington's wood would even come close.

[shawn]

How about a 20GA or 12 GA model 11 stock/forend?

[Researcher]

My guess is a 20-gauge Model 11 stock would fit the receiver. I have a spare 20-gauge The Sportsman forearm, and it will not go on my 16-gauge. I imagine a little relief of the barrel channel and it would.