doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Remington 1889 (1950's factory replica) 20 guage

Picked up an interesting piece today at a local antique store. 20 guage SxS with hammers, marked Remington Arms on both sides of receiver. Has letter from State of Ohio dated 1951 stating that Remington made a very limited run of copies of their 1889 doubles in 20 guage and were distributed to the Game Warden of each of Ohio's 88 counties. This particular one went to the Game Warden in Noble County (SE Ohio). Gun has been fired, but used very little. (98%+) Any of our Remington Gurus ever heard of these little guns? Was this a common thing for the Remington factory to do? I bought it for the "Interesting Factor", but wow is it a nice tight little unit. Any suggestions on a place to start for more research?

Any pictures of it? Would love to see the gun. I dont know much about the reproduction by Remington but Im sure some board members will be able to tell you more infomation about it.

I don't see any mention of such guns in Charlie Semmer's book on Remington doubles. We'd love to see some pictures!

Bad timing on my new purchase (2 days before Christmas) and I'm buying myself a new double. I have'nt broke the news to my better half yet, so breaking it out for pictures will have to wait a few days. After all the X-mas X-citement, I'll get some pictures. Any offers for technical assistance with posting would be appreciated. I'm challenged to say the least. Thanks and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Lloyd,
Email me the pics and Ill post them. This is quite a find. I would be happy to help with your potential family problems, just send the gun to me ross@berck.org
Ross

That is a very, very, very, rare gun. I've been around vintage doubles for 35 years and have never heard of, much less seen, one. Wow!
JR

Hi I have collected Remington double's for over 30 years and I live in Ohio. I have never heard of them. One would not think Remington would have the tooling in 1951 to make the model 1889 again. Would love to see one or some good pictures.

There is no mention of a reproduction being made on the Remington site:

http://www.remington.com/library/history/firearm_models/shotguns/model_1889.asp

I assume they made it in 20 gauge so it would not be mistaken for an original.

Model 1889

Description: Outside hammer, double barrel shotgun
Introduction Year: 1889
Year Discontinued: 1908
Total Production: Approximately 135,000 +/-
Designer/Inventor: E. Remington & Sons
Action Type: Circular action hammers
Caliber/Gauge: 10, 12, and 16 gauge
Serial Number Blocks: 30,000 – 105,000
200,000 – 260,000
Serial numbers were re-assigned to the
200,000 block circa 1900.
# of Grades Offered: Grade 1 – Decarbonized steel barrels
Grade 2 – Fine twist barrels
Grade 3 – Damascus steel barrels, engraving
Grade 4 – Damascus steel barrels, better quality engraving, curly walnut stock
Grade 5 – Damascus steel barrels, extra engraving, selected curly walnut stock
Grade 6 – Extra fine quality Damascus steel barrels, scroll engraving, fine selected curly walnut stock
Grade 7 – Superior quality Damascus steel barrels, extra fine scroll engraving, elegant curly walnut stock

Pete

Tell you what, guys. After some thought, I'm going to call bullsh*t on this one til further notice.
JR

So many questions ... Why would Remington make a run of these in 20 gauge, instead of 12? Why would a bunch of 20 gauge hammer guns be distributed to game wardens in the 1950s? Why would the State of Ohio issue a letter regarding this?

Not doubting you, Lloyd, but would really have to see detailed pics, and maybe a close-up of that letter, before we could do more than wonder what the heck you've got, while suspecting it's not what you're thinking it to be.

DeWayne