Serial Number Project question from Noob

[DANNYII]

Greetings all!

I'm a new member here, and have recently renewed my interest in shotgunning, thanks in large part to Synchronizer's excellent videos.

I've looked around, and didn't see it, so, my question is this: Is there a serial number project on this forum (or anywhere else) that lists actual serial numbers (not just barrel codes) and manufacture date? I ask because I'm on GlockTalk, and there members post the first part of their serial number, a description of the model, and the "born on" date from the fired casings shipped with the firearm. I was thinking the same could be done with those who have called Remington with their serial numbers and received a manufacture date.

It would be helpful when looking at a used 870 to know when the receiver was made, and if the receiver serial number manufacture date matches the barrel code.

[John A.]

https://www.gunvaluesboard.com/remingto ... -2164.html

[DANNYII]

I'm aware of the barrel code system, but reading directly from the link you sent highlights my issue:

"An issue that people need to be aware of, is that many Remington firearms such as the 870 series of shotguns can have their barrels easily changed or replaced. So, if the barrel is not original to the specific firearm in question the date code may be meaningless."

I'm proposing a database of REM870.com forum member entered partial serial numbers from the receiver, with *** representing the last 3 numbers, a Remington confirmed manufacture date, and a brief description of the firearm configured as was when it left the factory, with barrel code. (Maybe in parenthesis if there is now a different barrel on it???)

For instance, I just bought a used one today and called Remington for the info, so my proposed database format would be:

SN# B368***M - March 1995 - 870 Express Magnum, 28" barrel, barrel code AP.

[John A.]

I see what you're getting at. There is a thread like that at mossbergowners.com, but it obviously has nothing to do with Remington.

[DANNYII]

Would anyone else care to join in with their info???

[John A.]

I don't mind giving some of my serial, but I bought it used, and I wouldn't guarantee the made date is correct with the receiever.

[DANNYII]

I don't follow. If you call Remington, they will provide the manufacture date of the receiver, and what barrel it left the factory wearing. True, that may not match the barrel code, but you can note that in your post. That's the whole point of my interest in doing this.

[Synchronizor]

I'd be for this. 870 serial numbers have letter prefixes (or a lack thereof for very early guns) at the start of the serial number that can be used to narrow down the manufacture date to within a specific range of years. Those ranges are roughly 5-year periods, though some are wider or narrower, and some years may be transitional where both prefixes were stamped. These prefixes are pretty well understood up through the mid-2000s, but I can't find any definite info on exactly when they switched to the recent "RS" prefix, and now it seems that 2017 or 2018 saw the introduction of a brand-new "CC" prefix, though I'd need to look at more new 870s to confirm that the "CC" code is the new standard prefix, and not a special-case one.

870 Serial Number Prefixes:
-closest-known year of introduction

(no letter) - 1950
S - 1968
T - 1974
V - 1978
W - 1984
X - 1990
A - 1991
B - 1994
C - 1997
D - 2001
AB - 2005
RS - 2009/2010?
CC - 2017/2018?

A year or two back, I started working on pre-production for a video on dating an 870, since it was such a frequent question, and there were no good, complete resources on it online anywhere. I don't know if I posted about it here, but I posted on other, more history/research-oriented forums, and got pretty much no response about it. One forum even deleted some of the discussion about it. Other sources I tried, like J.D. of AI&P Tactical, were supportive, but didn't have the specific info I needed. I did what I could looking at markings in gun shops and taking notes, but couldn't get enough of a sample size just on my own. So, that video's on standby until I can get more info.

If enough people started sharing their serial number info (even if it's a partial serial, or just the prefix & suffix), with date confirmation from Remington (which isn't always accurate, but they get it right often enough, and blatant mistakes can generally be identified based on other features and supporting checks) alongside the barrel date codes, that could really help nail all this down. I'd be happy to share what serial numbers I have info on, and if we can gather enough input, I can assemble a sortable/searchable document that will actually be useful for working out the system.

By the way, sorry about the delayed response to this. I saw it the day the thread was started, but this month's been 12 - 14-hour work-days for me, between working a new full-time job, a pre-existing part-time job, and a month-long freelance gig, so I really haven't had time to sit down and write for awhile. I specifically took time off one of those jobs today to sit down and catch up on the forum, but I might go quiet for awhile again after this. I am still keeping an eye on the site though; I see every new post, and save those that I plan to respond to.

[DANNYII]

Cool. Thanks for being the moderator for this topic. I hope other members decide to join the thread with their info.

Looks like after 2001 Remington uses a random letter generator when they need a new letter to start their serial numbers.

[Synchronizor]

The popular theory with the "RS" serial numbers was that it was a re-structuring of the serial number system following Remington's acquisition by Cerberus, which happened right around the same time, with "RS" standing for "Remington Shotgun. Those serial numbers also mark the point where the letter at the end of the number stopped designating the gauge & chamber length of the shotgun, and just became a random letter, so it was clearly a bigger shift than just a new 5-year or so block.