- Knickerbocker Shotgun Serial Numbers admin 6/7/2019 07/06/19 Crescent Fire Arms Co. Production records do not exist, and are believed to have been destroyed as part of World War II paper drives following the dissolution of Crescent-Davis Arms Corporation, Norwich, Conn. Stevens Arms Co.
- Remington - Navy Single Shot Pistols, Model 8, 81, 24, 241, RB Pistols (Types- not serial), RB Rifles- 1870, 71, RB Rifle Models- 1866-1933, Contract Lee Rifles, Pistols and Revolvers 1857-1918 (incomplete serial number for some), Rifles 1866-1933 (ditto), Shotguns 1874-1910 Serial numbers unknown.
Serial numbers for the period of 1946 through 1950 include Hunter and Fulton shotguns. Serial numbers of guns produced by the Marlin Firearms Company (1968-71) had a prefix of FWM. You will need to know if the shotgun is pre-1913 or later gun because some of the early serial numbers were repeated in.
FIREARMS INFORMATION
The following is an excerpt from a Remington 1902 catalog.
N O T I C E
For guidance of customers ordering double gun parts, we give the following information :
Knickerbocker 12 Gauge Double Barrel
The Remington Double Gun has been made in six models, known as HAMMER LIFTER ACTION, LIFTER ACTION, MODEL '82, MODEL '83, MODEL '85, AND '87. AND MODEL '89,
many parts of which differ. Parties owning guns can determine their model by comparing their hammers with the following drawings:
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
Remington never used the year of the first production as a model number, however it has since become common practice to do so. The language used here ARE the first year of production for each named type.
M1873 or 'hammer lifter model' used a lever on the tang that lifted up to open the barrels and draw the hammers back to half cock. The lockplate had 3 screws at the rear, made in 10 & 12 gauges.
M1876 or 'lifter model' had the lifter opening the barrels. Hammers were rebounding. First was the recessed hammer noses, & later flat. Four screws at the end of the lockplate, made in 10 & 12 gauges.
The 1873 & 1876 were available in shotgun and rifle & shotgun combinations.
M1878 or :heavy duck gun'; lockplate had flat faced hammers, no rudimentary fence at the bottom of the bolster & used a doll's head rib extension into the frame.
First pinned forearms were used, later Deely & Edge latch was used. 10 gauge only.
M1882, for the first time a conventional turning lever to open the barrel was used. Made in 10 & 12 gauges.
M1883 was introduced into the catalogs, but few have been observed. The hammers are different, made in 10 & 12 gauges.
Knickerbocker Shotgun Serial Numbers Explained
M1885-87, used the same serial numbers as the 1882 model. The hammer was again different. Made in 10, 12 & 16 gauges.
M1889, the last & largest volume made of the hammer guns, & the hammer was again different & significant than all the rest. Made in 10, 12, & 16 gauges.
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)
M1900, hammerless, made in 12 & 16 gauges. Could have been had in 'ordnance or damascus steel barrels. This model has the snap on Baker type forend fastener.
| MODEL | SERIAL NUMBER | YEARS |
| 1873 | 1-5600 | 1873-1878 |
| 1876 | 1-5900 | 1876-1882 |
| 1878 | 1-2200 | 1878-1882 |
| 1882 | 1000 - 2000 | 1882-1887 |
| 1883 | 14,000 - 16,000 | 1883-1884 |
| 1885/87 | 17,000 - 24,000 | 1885/87-1889 |
| 1889 | 24,000 - 265,000 (skipped most of 100,000 series) | 1889-1900 |
| 1894 | 100,000 - 140,700 | 1894-1910 |
| 1900 | 300,000 - 395,000 | 1900-1910 |
Differences in Remington model 1894 & 1900 double shotguns.
Courtesy of Terry Deem
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)
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Originated 05-17-04 Last updated 11-02-2020
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