Want to know when your trusty Remington 870 shotgun was born? Unlocking the manufacturing year of your 870 can reveal valuable information about its history, potential upgrades, and even its collectability. While Remington's serial number system isn't always straightforward, this guide will walk you through decoding the clues and uncovering the age of your beloved firearm.
Why Does Knowing Your 870's Age Even Matter?
Beyond simple curiosity, knowing the year your Remington 870 was manufactured can be incredibly useful. Here's why:
- Parts Compatibility: Over the years, Remington made subtle changes to the 870's design. Knowing the year helps ensure you purchase the correct replacement parts for repairs or upgrades. Certain parts, like extractors or forend assemblies, may not be interchangeable between different generations.
- Understanding Features: Different eras of 870 production often featured unique characteristics. Certain models might have different choke systems, barrel finishes, or even receiver markings. Knowing the year helps you understand the specific features of your shotgun.
- Collectibility and Value: Some vintage or limited-edition 870s are highly sought after by collectors. Knowing the production year can significantly impact the value of your firearm, especially if it's a rare or desirable model.
- Safety Recalls: Although rare, firearms manufacturers occasionally issue safety recalls. Knowing the manufacturing year allows you to check if your 870 is affected by any past recalls and take necessary precautions.
The Remington Date Code System: Deciphering the Mystery
Remington used a date code system on their firearms, including the 870, to indicate the year and month of manufacture. This code is usually found stamped on the left side of the barrel, near the receiver. It consists of one, two, or three letters. The last letter indicates the year, while the other letters (if present) indicate the month.
Here's how to decode the year:
| Letter | Year | Letter | Year | Letter | Year | Letter | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | 1928 | M | 1940 | Y | 1952 | E | 1964 |
| C | 1929 | N | 1941 | Z | 1953 | F | 1965 |
| D | 1930 | P | 1942 | A | 1954 | G | 1966 |
| E | 1931 | Q | 1943 | B | 1955 | H | 1967 |
| F | 1932 | R | 1944 | C | 1956 | I | 1968 |
| G | 1933 | S | 1945 | D | 1957 | J | 1969 |
| H | 1934 | T | 1946 | E | 1958 | K | 1970 |
| I | 1935 | U | 1947 | F | 1959 | L | 1971 |
| J | 1936 | W | 1948 | G | 1960 | M | 1972 |
| K | 1937 | X | 1949 | H | 1961 | N | 1973 |
| L | 1938 | Y | 1950 | I | 1962 | P | 1974 |
| M | 1939 | Z | 1951 | J | 1963 | Q | 1975 |
| R | 1976 | S | 1988 | D | 2000 | V | 2012 |
| T | 1977 | T | 1989 | E | 2001 | W | 2013 |
| U | 1978 | U | 1990 | F | 2002 | X | 2014 |
| W | 1979 | W | 1991 | G | 2003 | Y | 2015 |
| X | 1980 | X | 1992 | H | 2004 | Z | 2016 |
| Y | 1981 | Y | 1993 | I | 2005 | A | 2017 |
| Z | 1982 | Z | 1994 | J | 2006 | B | 2018 |
| A | 1983 | A | 1995 | K | 2007 | C | 2019 |
| B | 1984 | B | 1996 | L | 2008 | D | 2020 |
| C | 1985 | C | 1997 | M | 2009 | E | 2021 |
| D | 1986 | D | 1998 | N | 2010 | F | 2022 |
| E | 1987 | E | 1999 | P | 2011 |
To determine the month, use this table:
| Letter | Month | Letter | Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | January | L | July |
| C | February | M | August |
| D | March | N | September |
| E | April | P | October |
| F | May | Q | November |
| G | June | R | December |
Example: If your barrel is stamped "KA," the "K" indicates the shotgun was manufactured in 1970, and the "A" indicates the month of January.
Important Considerations:
- Multiple Barrels: If you have multiple barrels for your 870, each barrel will have its own date code. This is important because the barrel may not have been manufactured in the same year as the receiver. Focus on the code on the original barrel to determine the shotgun's initial manufacturing year.
- No Date Code: Some older Remington 870s, particularly those made before 1950, may not have a date code stamped on the barrel. In these cases, you'll need to rely on other clues, such as the serial number and specific features of the gun, to estimate its age.
- Serial Number Location: The serial number is typically found on the left side of the receiver, near the front.
- Remington's Inconsistent System: Be aware that Remington's record keeping wasn’t always perfect. There may be inconsistencies or gaps in their serial number data.
Unraveling the Serial Number Puzzle
While the date code gives you the month and year of barrel manufacture, the serial number offers another layer of insight, especially for models where the date code is missing or difficult to decipher.
Pre-1968 Remington 870 Serial Numbers:
- These serial numbers typically consist of only numbers and are found on the left side of the receiver.
- Unfortunately, Remington doesn't have publicly available records that directly correlate these serial numbers to specific years.
- However, you can often estimate the age by comparing your 870's features to those of known production periods. Early models had different forend styles and receiver markings than later versions. Consulting with experienced collectors or gunsmiths can be invaluable.
Post-1968 Remington 870 Serial Numbers:
- Following the Gun Control Act of 1968, Remington added a letter prefix to their 870 serial numbers.
- The most common prefix is "S." This indicates that the shotgun is chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells. Serial numbers with the "S" prefix generally started around 1968 and continued for many years.
- Other prefixes exist:
- "V": 3-inch Magnum
- "W": 3 1/2-inch Magnum
- "RS": Rifled Slug barrel
- "BS": Buck Special
- While these prefixes tell you what the shotgun is chambered for, they don't directly tell you the year of manufacture. You'll still need to cross-reference the serial number with the date code on the barrel (if present) and consult resources like gun forums or collector communities.
Beyond Serial Numbers and Date Codes: Identifying Features
Sometimes, the best way to determine your 870's approximate age is by examining its specific features. Here are some key characteristics to consider:
- Forend Style: Early 870s had a corn cob-style forend, while later models featured a more streamlined design. The type of forend can help narrow down the production period.
- Receiver Markings: The markings on the receiver, including the roll marks and any special edition engravings, can provide clues about the gun's age and origin.
- Choke System: The type of choke system used (fixed choke vs. Rem Choke) can help determine the approximate era of manufacture. Rem Chokes were introduced later in the 870's production history.
- Trigger Group: The design of the trigger group, including the safety button and other components, can also vary depending on the year of manufacture.
- Stock and Finish: The type of wood or synthetic material used for the stock, as well as the finish on the metal parts, can provide further clues about the shotgun's age.
Resources for Digging Deeper
If you're still struggling to pinpoint the exact year of your Remington 870, here are some resources that can help:
- Remington Society of America: This organization is dedicated to preserving the history of Remington firearms. They may be able to provide information based on your serial number or specific features.
- Online Gun Forums: Many online gun forums have dedicated sections for Remington firearms. Experienced collectors and enthusiasts can often provide valuable insights and assistance.
- Gunsmiths: A qualified gunsmith with experience working on Remington 870s can often estimate the age of your shotgun based on its features and markings.
- Blue Book of Gun Values: This comprehensive guide provides information on the values of various firearms, including the Remington 870. It can also offer clues about production periods and variations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where do I find the serial number on my Remington 870? The serial number is typically located on the left side of the receiver, near the front.
- What does the letter prefix in the serial number mean? The letter prefix (e.g., "S," "V," "W") indicates the shotgun's chambering (e.g., 2 3/4 inch, 3 inch Magnum, 3 1/2 inch Magnum).
- My 870 doesn't have a date code on the barrel. How do I find its age? Examine the shotgun's features (forend style, receiver markings, choke system) and consult resources like gun forums or the Remington Society of America.
- Can I contact Remington directly to find out the year of manufacture? While possible, Remington's records are not always complete, and they may not be able to provide specific information based solely on the serial number.
- Does the serial number affect the value of my Remington 870? Yes, especially if it's a rare or desirable serial number range associated with a specific model or production period.
Final Thoughts
Determining the year of manufacture for your Remington 870 can be a rewarding journey into the history of this iconic shotgun. By combining the information from the date code (if present), serial number, and identifying features, you can unlock valuable insights into your firearm's past and ensure you're making informed decisions about its care and maintenance. Good luck, and happy hunting!