Decoding Your Remington 1100 Serial Number: A Guide to Dating Your Shotgun
Determining the year of manufacture for your Remington 1100 shotgun using its serial number requires a bit of detective work, as Remington didn't use a straightforward year-based system. Instead, the serial number's position within a broader manufacturing range indicates its approximate age. Unfortunately, there's no single, publicly accessible database that directly translates serial numbers to years. However, this guide will help you pinpoint the approximate year of your Remington 1100.
Understanding Remington 1100 Serial Numbering:
Remington 1100 serial numbers are typically alphanumeric (letters and numbers). They don't inherently contain a year code. The key to dating your shotgun lies in understanding that Remington produced these shotguns over many decades, and serial numbers progressed sequentially within each production period. Later serial numbers indicate later production years.
How to Find the Serial Number:
Before we delve into dating, locate your shotgun's serial number. It's usually found on the receiver, often beneath the ejection port or on the side of the receiver. Clean the area if necessary for clear visibility.
Methods for Dating Your Remington 1100:
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Remington's Customer Service: While they won't provide exact manufacturing dates due to privacy and record-keeping, contacting Remington's customer service might yield some helpful information. They may be able to provide a general time frame based on your serial number's range.
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Online Forums and Communities: Engaging with online forums dedicated to firearms and Remington 1100s can be incredibly valuable. Experienced collectors and enthusiasts often possess extensive knowledge about serial number ranges and production years. Posting your serial number (while protecting any identifying information beyond the serial number itself) and asking for assistance is a viable approach.
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Gun Value Websites: Many websites specializing in firearm valuation (like GunBroker or similar platforms) provide general production year estimates based on serial number ranges. However, it's important to remember that these estimates are not always precise.
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Reference Books and Publications: Specialized books on Remington firearms or collector's guides often contain tables or charts correlating serial number ranges to approximate manufacturing years. These sources can provide a more detailed understanding of Remington 1100 production timelines.
Important Considerations:
- Accuracy: Remember that any dating method based on serial numbers provides an estimate, not a precise date. Production variations and record-keeping practices can influence the accuracy of dating.
- Variations: Different variations of the Remington 1100 (like different barrel lengths or special editions) may have slightly different serial number sequences.
- Privacy: When sharing your serial number online, be mindful of personal information protection. Focus on sharing just the serial number itself, and avoid mentioning other identifying features of the shotgun.
By utilizing a combination of these methods, you can significantly increase your chances of successfully dating your Remington 1100 shotgun. Remember to cross-reference information from multiple sources to obtain the most reliable estimate. Good luck with your search!
