The Remington 870 Wingmaster is a legendary shotgun, prized for its reliability, durability, and versatility. Owning one is a testament to a love of firearms and often a connection to family history. But sometimes, knowing more about your specific Wingmaster—its age, manufacturing date, or even just verifying its authenticity—requires a serial number lookup. Unfortunately, there's no single, centralized Remington database for this information. This guide breaks down how to trace your Remington 870 Wingmaster's history using the serial number.
Understanding Remington 870 Serial Numbers
Remington's serial number system isn't publicly accessible in a simple online database like some other firearm manufacturers. The numbers themselves offer clues, but deciphering them requires a bit of detective work. The serial number, typically found on the barrel or receiver, is a combination of letters and numbers. The format and meaning have changed over the decades of the 870's production.
What Your Serial Number Might Tell You (But Not Always)
While a definitive online lookup isn't readily available, the serial number itself can offer hints:
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Prefixes: Certain prefixes or letter combinations might indicate the year or decade of manufacture. However, these prefixes aren't consistently documented across all years of production, and even within the same year, different prefixes may be used. This makes using prefixes alone unreliable for precise dating.
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Number Sequences: The numerical portion of the serial number generally increases chronologically, with higher numbers indicating later production dates. However, this isn't a perfect system and should not be relied upon for precise dating.
Methods for Tracing Your Remington 870 Wingmaster
Since a direct online lookup isn't available, your best bet is to utilize a combination of approaches:
1. Contact Remington Directly (or its Parent Company)
While Remington doesn't offer a public serial number lookup, contacting their customer service might yield results. They may be able to provide some information or direct you to other resources. Keep in mind, the process might be slow, and they may not have records dating back to the earliest models.
2. Utilize Online Forums and Communities
Engaging with online firearms communities and forums dedicated to Remington shotguns is a valuable resource. Experienced collectors and enthusiasts may be able to offer assistance based on your serial number's format or provide links to resources with historical production data.
3. Consult Books and Reference Materials
Numerous books and publications specifically cover the history and production of the Remington 870. These resources often include sections with serial number information or production date estimates based on known ranges of serial numbers for specific years.
4. Professional Appraisers
If you need a definitive answer and are willing to invest, a qualified firearms appraiser can often determine the age and potential value of your Remington 870 based on a thorough examination, including the serial number.
What to Do If You Can't Find Information
Remember, not every firearm's history can be easily traced. Even with diligent searching, you may not be able to pinpoint the exact manufacturing date of your Remington 870 Wingmaster. The lack of a readily accessible database makes this a common challenge for owners of older firearms.
Conclusion: Patience and Persistence are Key
Tracing the history of your Remington 870 Wingmaster using its serial number requires patience and resourcefulness. While a simple online lookup isn't available, employing the methods outlined above can increase your chances of uncovering valuable information about this iconic shotgun's history. Good luck with your search!
