How Can I Decode Remington Serial Numbers to Find the Manufacture Date?

If you’re like me and you enjoy collecting firearms, you know how important it is to understand the history of the pieces in your collection. One of the key aspects of this is knowing when a firearm was manufactured, and for many, that means decoding serial numbers.

Understanding Remington Serial Numbers

Remington has produced a variety of firearms over the years, and each model typically has its own unique serial number format. These numbers can tell you a lot about the firearm’s history and its manufacture date.

Where to Start?

To get started, it’s helpful to know where to look for the serial number. Here are some common locations:

  • On the Barrel: Many Remington rifles will have their serial number stamped on the underside of the barrel.
  • Receiver: Shotguns often have the serial number located on the receiver.

Once you’ve located the serial number, you will need to know how to interpret it. Different series of firearms from Remington may have different systems, so referencing a reliable guide is crucial.

Decoding the Serial Numbers

The Remington Society is an excellent resource for anyone looking to decode their firearm’s serial numbers. Here’s a brief overview of the decoding process:

  1. Check the Year: The first two letters of the serial number often correspond to the year of manufacture. For instance, ‘AB’ might stand for 1952.
  2. Model Identification: Depending on the model, certain numbers or letters may indicate specific features or variants of the firearm.
  3. Reference Lists: Use established reference lists that compile the serial number sequences for Remington firearms. These can often be found online or in firearm collector’s guidebooks.

Additional Resources

  • Remington Society - Their website often has updated information and guidelines.
  • Firearm Forums - Other enthusiasts may share their experiences and insights on decoding serial numbers.

Conclusion

If you’re still unsure, please feel free to share your serial number here, and let’s see if the community can help figure out the age of your Remington firearm! Collectively, we can often piece together the history of your prized possession from just a few numbers.

Happy collecting!

I’ve been trying to decode my Remington’s serial number too! Each model seems to have different formats, which can be a bit confusing. I think it’s best to look up specific models for clarity.

That’s so true! For example, some shotguns have letters at the beginning indicating the year, while rifles often have a different approach. It’s like a puzzle!

Hey everyone! I found a great online resource that lists out the different serial number formats by year and model. It really helped me figure out my Remington’s age!

Could you share the link? I’d love to check it out. It’s hard to find all this information in one place.

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Sure! Here’s the link: [insert link here]. It even has a community section where you can ask questions. Super helpful!

It’s interesting how Remington serial numbers have evolved over the years. The more I read, the more I realize how important it is to match the format to the right model.

Absolutely! Sometimes I feel like a detective trying to crack the code of my own firearm’s history! It’s quite the adventure.

So, if I just have a random number, should I assume it’s a more recent model? Or could older models have similar serials?

Good point! Some vintage models might not follow the newer conventions. I’d compare it against known formats for your specific model.

I found out that Remington used letters and numbers both to indicate the time period. For example, the letters correlate to specific years, while the numbers often show the production sequence.

I didn’t realize the letters were year indicators! That’s new info for me. I guess it’s back to the drawing board for my decoding efforts. :joy:

Exactly! It’s like a crash course in firearm history each time I try to figure out a serial number.

I think the best piece of advice is just not to get too frustrated with it. Each Remington tells a story, and decoding the number is part of that journey.

Couldn’t agree more, jraymond! It’s like treasure hunting! The more you engage with the pieces, the more you uncover their history.

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I’ve also noticed that some collectors can be very particular about these numbers. It can get contentious during discussions! Everyone has their interpretation.

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Haha, true! It’s almost like a secret club with all their decoding rules and opinions. Maybe there should be a decoder Olympics or something. :joy:

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I’m glad to see this topic started! To decode Remington serial numbers, I recommend checking out the Remington Society of America website. They have a great database for firearms. It’s super helpful for finding manufacture dates.

Thanks for the info! Have you found any books that might help as well? I prefer a hardcover reference for my collection.

There are several good books out there! One I found really useful is “The Remington Arms Company” by Philip B. Conner. It includes serial number info and more about the history of the company.