870 Wingmaster Identifiaction Help

[mobusten]

I recently bought an old 12ga. Wingmaster, and I've been trying to identify the date of manufacture all over google. Everything tells me that the barrel should have 3 letters on the left side, but the only thing I can find aside from the description of which shells it will accept, is a sort of a backwards "C" (maybe?), a faded captial "A" and an upside down key-hole symbol. I have no freaking idea what it means, maybe it's not the original barrel, but I thought all remington barrels came with the date-indicating serial number. Anyways, any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[guntech]

Remington can probably date it by the serial number on the action.

 

[blasted_saber]

They are to be dated from the serial number on the receiver. That barrel could screw on to a brand new Wingmaster in seconds, so its age is irrelevant. If I remember correctly Remington has a number to call for the age. I did it for two of mine and it was a simple and fast process.

 

[mobusten]

Everything I've read about it says that the receiver serial number doesn't tell you anything about age, only the barrel.

 

[blasted_saber]

Everything I've read about it says that the receiver serial number doesn't tell you anything about age, only the barrel.

I dont understand how that can be possible, considering the gun is designed to have its barrels interchangeable. I can walk into a store and buy a Wingmaster barrel manufactured last week and put it on to your gun. Whats the point of trying to date it then? Its not going to tell how old the receiver is.

 

[guntech]

Remington's website usually answers online questions in a day or two.

 

[mobusten]

I dont understand how that can be possible, considering the gun is designed to have its barrels interchangeable. I can walk into a store and buy a Wingmaster barrel manufactured last week and put it on to your gun. Whats the point of trying to date it then? Its not going to tell how old the receiver is.

It didn't make sense to me either, but on all the forums that I've found through google, they all say the same thing.

 

[guntech]

A 700's age is identified by the markings on the original non removable barrel. Shotguns with interchangeable barrels - not so much

 

[blasted_saber]

Well, i called Rem and gave them the serial # off the receiver and they told me an age. One if mine is from the 70s with a 2009 barrel on it. Aging the barrel is useless.

 

[romurra]

I emailed Remington from the website with the receiver serial number and they were back in a day or two with the year of manufacture. Easy.

 

[radmacks]

+1 email Remington serial number they responded in an hour

 

[mobusten]

Alright, thanks. I'll do that then.