How to Determine the Age of a Remington 870 Wingmaster
The Remington 870 Wingmaster is one of the most popular shotguns in the world, and for good reason. It’s reliable, durable, and accurate. But how can you tell how old a Remington 870 Wingmaster is? There are a few ways to do this, and we’ll walk you through them in this article.
We’ll start by taking a look at the serial number. The serial number is a unique identifier that’s stamped on the receiver of the shotgun. It can tell you the year of manufacture, as well as other information about the gun. We’ll also discuss other ways to date a Remington 870 Wingmaster, such as by looking at the barrel markings and the wood stock.
By the end of this article, you’ll be able to tell the age of any Remington 870 Wingmaster with confidence. So if you’re curious about how old your shotgun is, read on!
| Characteristic | Look For | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Serial number | Starts with “11” or “12” | 1950-1959 |
| Serial number | Starts with “13” or “14” | 1960-1969 |
| Serial number | Starts with “15” or “16” | 1970-1979 |
| Serial number | Starts with “17” or “18” | 1980-1989 |
| Serial number | Starts with “19” or “20” | 1990-1999 |
| Serial number | Starts with “21” or “22” | 2000-2009 |
| Serial number | Starts with “23” or “24” | 2010-present |
The Remington 870 Wingmaster is a popular pump-action shotgun that has been in production since 1950. It is known for its reliability, durability, and affordability. If you are considering buying a used Remington 870 Wingmaster, it is important to be able to tell its age. This will help you determine its value and condition.
Date Code (Serial Numbers 1950-1972)
The date code on a Remington 870 Wingmaster with a serial number between 1950 and 1972 is located on the barrel, just below the receiver. It is a two-digit number, with the first digit representing the year and the second digit representing the month. For example, a date code of “59” indicates that the gun was manufactured in 1959.
Serial Number (Serial Numbers 1973-Present)
The serial number on a Remington 870 Wingmaster with a serial number between 1973 and present is located on the barrel, just below the receiver. It is a six-digit number, with the first two digits representing the year and the last four digits representing the month and day of manufacture. For example, a serial number of “20190101” indicates that the gun was manufactured on January 1, 2019.
Other Ways To Tell The Age Of A Remington 870 Wingmaster
In addition to the date code and serial number, there are a few other ways to tell the age of a Remington 870 Wingmaster. These include:
- The type of barrel. The Wingmaster was originally offered with a smoothbore barrel, but later models were also available with a rifled barrel. The type of barrel can help you narrow down the date of manufacture.
- The type of safety. The Wingmaster was originally equipped with a cross-bolt safety, but later models were also available with a tang safety. The type of safety can also help you narrow down the date of manufacture.
- The type of trigger. The Wingmaster was originally equipped with a single-stage trigger, but later models were also available with a two-stage trigger. The type of trigger can also help you narrow down the date of manufacture.
By following these tips, you can easily tell the age of a Remington 870 Wingmaster. This information can be helpful in determining the value and condition of the gun.
Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
- [Remington 870 Wingmaster Manual](https://www.remington.com/manuals/firearms/shotguns/870-wingmaster.pdf)
- [Remington 870 Wingmaster Forums](https://www.remington.com/forum/870-wingmaster/)
- [Remington 870 Wingmaster Facebook Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/remington870wingmaster/)
Proof Mark (Serial Numbers 1972-1987)
The proof mark is located on the barrel, just above the receiver. It is a three-digit number, with the first digit representing the year, the second digit representing the month, and the third digit representing the day. For example, a proof mark of “7312” indicates that the gun was proofed on December 12, 1973.
Serial Number (Serial Numbers 1988-Present)
The serial number is located on the receiver, just below the bolt. It is a seven-digit number, with the first two digits representing the year, the next two digits representing the month, and the last three digits representing the day. For example, a serial number of “9912345” indicates that the gun was manufactured in January of 1999.
Date Code (Serial Numbers 1950-1971)
The date code is located on the barrel, just above the receiver. It is a two-digit number, with the first digit representing the year and the second digit representing the month. For example, a date code of “64” indicates that the gun was manufactured in 1964.
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Letter Code (Serial Numbers 1947-1950)
The letter code is located on the barrel, just above the receiver. It is a single letter, which represents the month of manufacture. For example, a letter code of “A” indicates that the gun was manufactured in January.
By following these steps, you can easily determine the age of your Remington 870 Wingmaster. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
How can I tell the age of my Remington 870 Wingmaster?
There are a few ways to tell the age of a Remington 870 Wingmaster.
- The serial number: The first two digits of the serial number will tell you the year of manufacture. For example, a serial number that starts with “19” was manufactured in 1970.
- The barrel markings: The barrel will have a date code stamped on it. This code will be a letter followed by a number. The letter represents the month of manufacture, and the number represents the year. For example, a barrel with the code “A1” was manufactured in January of 1971.
- The receiver markings: The receiver will have a model number and a patent date stamped on it. The model number will be “870 Wingmaster,” and the patent date will be “1950.”
Here is a table that summarizes the different ways to tell the age of a Remington 870 Wingmaster:
| Method | Description |
|—|—|
| Serial number | The first two digits of the serial number will tell you the year of manufacture. |
| Barrel markings | The barrel will have a date code stamped on it. This code will be a letter followed by a number. The letter represents the month of manufacture, and the number represents the year. |
| Receiver markings | The receiver will have a model number and a patent date stamped on it. The model number will be “870 Wingmaster,” and the patent date will be “1950.” |
What are the different generations of the Remington 870 Wingmaster?
The Remington 870 Wingmaster has been in production for over 70 years, and there have been a few different generations of the gun.
- The first generation: The first generation of the Remington 870 Wingmaster was produced from 1950 to 1976. These guns are characterized by their round barrels and walnut stocks.
- The second generation: The second generation of the Remington 870 Wingmaster was produced from 1976 to 1989. These guns are characterized by their square barrels and synthetic stocks.
- The third generation: The third generation of the Remington 870 Wingmaster was produced from 1989 to the present. These guns are characterized by their improved safety features and corrosion-resistant finishes.
Here is a table that summarizes the different generations of the Remington 870 Wingmaster:
| Generation | Years of production | Characteristics |
|—|—|—|
| First generation | 1950-1976 | Round barrels, walnut stocks |
| Second generation | 1976-1989 | Square barrels, synthetic stocks |
| Third generation | 1989-present | Improved safety features, corrosion-resistant finishes |
What are the differences between the Remington 870 Wingmaster and the Remington 870 Express?
The Remington 870 Wingmaster and the Remington 870 Express are both pump-action shotguns, but there are a few key differences between the two models.
- The Wingmaster is made with higher-quality materials and construction than the Express. The Wingmaster has a walnut stock and blued finish, while the Express has a synthetic stock and a matte finish. The Wingmaster also has a more durable action and a better trigger.
- The Wingmaster has more features than the Express. The Wingmaster comes with a longer barrel, a more adjustable stock, and a wider variety of choke tubes. The Express has a shorter barrel, a fixed stock, and a limited selection of choke tubes.
- The Wingmaster is more expensive than the Express. The Wingmaster typically costs twice as much as the Express.
Here is a table that summarizes the differences between the Remington 870 Wingmaster and the Remington 870 Express:
| Feature | Remington 870 Wingmaster | Remington 870 Express |
|—|—|—|
| Materials | Walnut stock, blued finish | Synthetic stock, matte finish |
| Construction | Higher quality | Lower quality |
| Features | Longer barrel, more adjustable stock, wider variety of choke tubes | Shorter barrel, fixed stock, limited selection of choke tubes |
| Price | More expensive | Less expensive |
What is the best Remington 870 Wingmaster for me?
The best Remington 870 Wingmaster for you depends on your needs and budget. If you are looking for a high-
there are a few ways to tell the age of a Remington 870 Wingmaster. The easiest way is to look at the serial number, which can be found on the barrel or receiver. The first two digits of the serial number will tell you the year the gun was manufactured. You can also look at the markings on the gun, which may include the model number, the date of manufacture, and the factory where it was made. Finally, you can take the gun to a gunsmith, who can usually tell you the age of the gun by looking at the internal components.
Knowing the age of your Remington 870 Wingmaster can be helpful for a number of reasons. For example, it can help you determine the value of the gun, and it can also help you identify any potential problems with the gun. Additionally, knowing the age of your gun can help you to learn more about its history and how it has been used over the years.