Not a fine double but an American Classic

[Stan Hillis]

I've been looking for a 30" full choke ribbed barrel for my Grandad's 16 ga. for so many years I can't recall when I started. I inherited it after he died. It's exactly the way it was the last time he hunted it. I don't have the heart to restore it. Functions perfectly.

I may take it out and try it on doves later this season. I haven't shot it since he died in 1975.

[Researcher]

The introduction of the JMB designed Remington Autoloading Shotgun in the 1905-06 Remington Arms Co. catalog showed only two barrel lengths, 28-inch plain barrel on the No. 1 "Standard" Grade to No. 6 "Premier" Grade and 20-inch for the No. 0 "Riot" Grade. By the 1906 catalogs the option of a 26-inch barrel was added to the No. 1 to 6. Those remained the lengths through the last The Remington Arms Union Metallic Cartridge Co., Inc. catalog in 1920. The first Remington Arms Co., Inc. catalog in late 1920 includes 30-inch barrels for the Model 11, but both the pump guns the Models 10 and 17 were offered with 26-, 28-, 30- & 32-inch barrels.

The big 1923 Remington Arms Co., Inc. again only offers 26- and 28-inch barrels for the Model 11 and includes the following --
"Our experiments show the Remington Autoloading Shotgun, fitted with the standard 28-inch full choke barrel shoots just as hard and just as close as any other type of shotgun. WE DO NOT FURNISH A LONGER BARREL THAN THIS."

Model 11A Standard Grade 1923 catalog.jpg

The Remington Shotguns pocket catalog, circa 1925, also only offers 26- and 28-inch barrels for the Model 11.

The 1929 Remington Arms Co. Inc. catalog that introduces the Model 11 with the new cross-bolt safety lists barrels in 26-, 28-, 30- & 32-inch.

Model 11A 1929 Catalog.jpeg

By the 1938 catalogs they give all the different barrel options --

1938 Model 11s.jpg

but by then they don't show 32-inch barrels for the 16- and 20-gauges.

[B. Dudley]

Originally Posted by Stan Hillis

I've been looking for a 30" full choke ribbed barrel for my Grandad's 16 ga. for so many years I can't recall when I started. I inherited it after he died. It's exactly the way it was the last time he hunted it. I don't have the heart to restore it. Functions perfectly.

I may take it out and try it on doves later this season. I haven't shot it since he died in 1975.

Cruse Ebay for model 11 barrels every few weeks. You never know what may pop up. In the last year or two I have gotten a few pretty nice and rare 11 barrels off there.

[Researcher]

BTW, is there a resource available whereby I could check the serial number of Grandad's gun for date of manufacture?

The 16-gauge was introduced in 1931. Model 11 16-gauge serial numbers began at 1500000, and 16-gauge The Sportsman serial numbers began at S200000. After a while they dropped the S and on September 28, 1937, they dropped the separate serial number sequence for the 16-gauge The Sportsman and from then to 1948 they were numbered together in the Model 11 serial numbers. I have always suspected dropping the separate serial number sequences for The Sportsman was the result of DuPont efficiency experts getting to Ilion.

If it was made before WW-II, we have the old factory ledger which would give the month the receiver with that serial number was put in work, and there should also be a date code on the barrel.

[Stan Hillis]

Originally Posted by Dave Noreen

The 16-gauge was introduced in 1931. Model 11 16-gauge serial numbers began at 1500000, and 16-gauge The Sportsman serial numbers began at S200000. After a while they dropped the S and on September 28, 1937, they dropped the separate serial number sequence for the 16-gauge The Sportsman and from then to 1948 they were numbered together in the Model 11 serial numbers. I have always suspected dropping the separate serial number sequences for The Sportsman was the result of DuPont efficiency experts getting to Ilion.

If it was made before WW-II, we have the old factory ledger which would give the month the receiver with that serial number was put in work, and there should also be a date code on the barrel.

Thanks you so much, Dave. I'll get it out tomorrow and check the serial number. "I'll be back........."