HAMMER LIFTER ACTION  -   LIFTER ACTION   -    MODEL 1882   -   MODEL 1885 AND 1887   -    MODEL 1889

The above illustrations taken from an old Remington 1902 parts catalog

REMINGTON DOUBLE BARREL SHOTGUN SERIAL NUMBERS

Courtesy of Roy Gunther, William M. Furnish & Charles G. Semmer as published in THE GUN REPORT, July & August 1991

Other gathered information

Shotguns were evolving fairly quickly during the years E. Remington & Sons were building them with new models appearing every year or two. The early E. Remington & Sons hammer guns were based on the Whitmore designed "lifter action" to open the guns. The first model was the 1873 also known as the "hammer lifter" as the locks didn't automatically rebound and protrusions on the side of the slide that moved back between the hammers when the lifter was raised engaged flanges on the sides of the hammers and moved them to half-cock. The next model the 1875 did away with this and featured Hepburn's designed rebounding locks, as did all the later Remington hammer doubles.

More variations of the basic Whitworth design were the Models 1876, 1878 and 1879. The 1879 is the only lifter action Remington that got the new Deeley lever forearm.

The next E. Remington & Sons hammer double was the 1882 with a conventional top lever that pushed to the right. These evolved through the 1883, 1885 and 1887.

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Remington made hammer double barrels from 1874 to 1910. The quick way to different between year models is by hammer shape and serial numbers.

The serial numbers run as follows:
Mode 1874 (Hammer Lifter) 001 to 1,500.

Model 1876 (Lifter Action) 1,501 to 4,125+.

Model 1882 /1883  001 to 15,000.

Model 1885 15,001 to 21,000.

Model 1887 30,001 to 36,000.

Model 1889  001 to 250, 401+.

There were seven grades of Model 1889 shotguns made. They were No. 1-steel barrel, pistol grip stock, rubber butt plate and matted to rib, no engraving. No. 2 same except for twist barrel, No. 3 same except for damascus barrel. No. 4 same except for engraving. No. 5 Fine damascus and extra engraving. No. 6 Extra Fine damascus and scroll engraving and No. 7 Superior damascus and extra fine scroll engraving.

 

RH sidelock for a Remington model 1889

M1894, was the first hammerless, made in 10, 12, & 16 gauges.  Could have been had in "ordnance or damascus steel barrels. This model has a Purdey forend fastener (push button type) 

The 1894 was more of a precision fit gun & could be had as an engraved version. The 1900 was basically an "economy" version of the 1894.

Before 1906 both the 1894 & 1900 models had the firing pin made integral on the hammers. Around 1906 Remington made the change to the floating firing pin on both guns. It was a running change so there is no exact serial number. 

The best way to tell the two model's apart is by the serial numbers. The model 1894 serial number's start with a (1) and the model 1900 serial number's start with a (3). All have 6 number's in the serial number. So if the serial number start's with a (3) it is a model 1900.  Also on the 1894 especially on later gun's sometimes there is a "P" ahead of the serial number, The "P" signifies the 1894.  On the 1900 sometimes there is a "Q" ahead of the serial number, the "Q" signifies the model 1900. 

As far as the receiver parts go about the only difference is fit and finish between the 1894 and the 1900.

Another difference is the 1894 has a Purdey forend fastener (push button) and the 1900 has the snap on Baker type forend fastener. 

Gun's with flat ribs will be earlier guns, & will usually have the firing pin's as part of the hammer. Also, if either the 1894 or 1900 model has a concave rib (not flat) and /or one screw in the trigger guard (not two) and /or a concave safety it will almost always have the floating firing pin's. The changes to the floating firing pin was around 1906. 

Also on both models the 1894 and 1900, there is the 1894 patent date on the forend iron.

For the model 1900, they did away with the point on top of the buttplate and went to a cheaper straighter buttplate. 

I have collected Remington model 1894 and 1900 double for over 40 years. I also do repair and restoration on them. Thanks for allowing me to explain.

Terry Deem (Terry.Deem@gepex.ge.com)  (sorry, but this e-mail is no longer valid)