Seller told him it was a trainer for following aircraft etc.... Dunno. Maybe Bunker has some insight..
Nice Model 11! Just have a few comments.
Your Father’s shotgun was not produced in 1940. Shotguns in 1940 will be approximately in the 423346-439171 range, give or take a few. Your Father’s (SN 473620) was most likely produced in January 1943, with a very slim chance of being produced in late December 1942. I can tell for sure if you would like but I will need two things. First, does the barrel lug serial number (next to the assembly ring) match the receiver serial number and second, what is the two or three digit barrel code (located on the rear left-side barrel forward of the breech). I do see the “IMP CYL” (Improved Cylinder) marking on the left side of the barrel, which is the correct marking for original long barrels but the pic doesn’t show the barrel code. If you’re going to tear it down you may want to also check to see if the other serialized parts match (tang, trigger assembly, inside the stock). Lastly, what inspector number or letter is stamped on the upper left-side trigger guard?
Serialized parts all matched when they left the factory but the two or three digit barrel code will often predate the shotgun production date and not coincide with the production date. It is believed that the barrels were produced, coded and put into bins to be assembled later as a complete firearm, at which time the parts would be serialized and then final assembly and finishing would take place. So when that assembly step took place, the serial number would then be added to the lug. However, the barrel code should at least be in the ballpark (same month or within a month or so) and never coded later than the shotgun production date, unless the barrel was replaced somewhere down the road. It’s fairly common to see non-matching barrels since they often needed to be replaced and were used interchangeably. Serial numbers between ~469364 – 499999 were not included in the factory ledger, so it’s not just a simple look up for your shotgun. Even Tipton’s 2000 article proved to be inaccurate. I have 100s of M11 examples archived and here are a few that straddle each side of your serial number. The 474856 example is NIB, although I have other January 1943 examples in the 4741xx range, this one has the best pics. Both have matching barrels. January 1943 barrel codes will either be “BM”, “MM” or “BMM", all would be correct, and December 1942 will only be “XL”.
Serial Number 471521 Long Barrel, December 1942 Production:
Serial Number 474856 Riot, January 1943 Production:
Regarding the engraved game scene on the receiver. In 1937, Remington reduced the roll-stamping to one bird on each side of the receiver and also begin stamping “MODEL 11” on the bolts. This was also applicable to the Sportsman model. Also, in the same year (1937), Remington stopped the separate serial number sequence (The Sportsman, Model 11). WWII M11s used some form of bluing and I’ve seen a few different kinds of bluing used.
The left side buttstock appears to be missing the Ordnance Department Crossed Cannons cartouche and the “FJA” (Frank J. Atwood) inspector marking.
Reference Photo:
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