Barrel Code is ZZ, which is 1953. Also it has a metal follower as opposed to a plastic one which Remington supposedly near as I can tell switched to in the 1960s (thx remington society). i know it is pre 1968 based off there being no letter prefix to the serial number (again thx to remington society).
Sent some pictures to one of my dad's hunting buddies that is in to 870s and he said the wood is not original to the gun. The fit isn't quite right and the wood is a little too proud on the receiver. With the other info I gave him, he believes it very well could be a 53 based on the parts. He said the pressed checkering came over from the 1100 in the mid 60s and the fleur de lis pattern a little later, but it was very common in the 70s to "upgrade" your old factory 870 wood for the new remington stocks. He admits he has 1 or 2 he did it with and now wishes he hadn't.
So from what he told me, the barrel is definitely a 53 era one. The receiver is definitely pre 68. Told him the serial number, but he said that remington can't even give you a straight answer on receiver serial numbers except for the prefix letter, due to the different runs and model numbers and lack of records. He said from looking at it though and the fact it has an original metal follower and a metal safety and the fact I know it has been in the 4-H Shooting sports club safe for 20+ years that he would feel comfortable in going with it being a 1953 model.
Not that it has any collector value due to the pressed checkering dupont finish wood not being original, but the guts of the gun are 1953.
Really want to find some upgrade wood now.....
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"The Parker gun was the first and the greatest ever." Theophilus Nash Buckingham
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