Long Range Guns

[Jeff S]

I know that The Super Fox was a great long range duck, and I have also learned that Ithica and L.C. Smith had similar models. So, does anyone know if Remington offered a heavy duty, long range double barreled shot gun during that era?

[Researcher]

Remington Arms was over a decade out of the double gun business by the time progressive burning smokeless powders came along, Western Cartridge Co.'s Super-X loads leading the way in 1922. Remington Arms Co., Inc. introduced their Model 32 over/under in the early 1930s and up through 1936 they could be ordered with 3-inch chambers, but you will look a long, long time to find one!! Perhaps after the 12-gauge 3-inch Magnum loads with 1 5/8 ounce of shot came along in 1935, Remington decided the Model 32 wasn't up to them?!? In 1934, Remington acquired Parker and did manufacture a few Parker 12-gauges for the 3-inch high velocity/magnum loads, and even fewer 10-guages for the 3 1/2 inch Magnum load. While all Remington pumps and autos were made for 2 3/4 inch shells from the very beginning with the introduction of their John M. Browning designed autoloading shotgun in 1905, Remington appears to have been unable or unwilling to make any of their classic pumps or autoloaders for 3-inch shells like Winchester did with their Model 12. Remington's answer for their pumps and autoloaders was their special "Long Range" boring --



On a Model 31TC --



On a "Sportsman" --

[Jeff S]

First of all, let me say all of us members of the AHFCA pay annual dues, and I hope that a portion of that revenue goes directly to "Researcher" to compensate him for his invaluable wealth of knowledge. I would gladly pay for the information he provides, seemly off the top of his head. Dave, thanks for the response. My Dad has a Remington side by side, and while I haven't seen it for about 20 years, my recollection is that it's a beast of a gun that is suitable for bludgeoning animal rather than shooting them. In my mind it's about the same size as the hammer gun Craig was using at Hausmann's. Anyway, this afternoon I needed a break from work so I stopped by Bacheldor's shop and they had a nice book titled Remington Double Guns. So, I called up Dad and got the serial number. Looks like it's a Model K that was built in 1900. The metal is heavily pitted (Great Grandpa kept it leaning in the corner of his garage), but it does have a nice replacement stock made by a once famous Grand Rapids Gunsmith. I'm just wondering if any of the members have an opinion on Remington model K 12 gauge shotguns.

[Researcher]

I have a pair of KE-Grades. This 1906 vintage 12-gauge --



and this 1909 vintage 16-gauge --



I shot a lot of Doves in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with the 16-gauge --



Remington Arms Co. did offer their Model 1889 Hammer Double and their Model 1894 Hammerless Double in 10-gauge, but in the years they were made the heaviest smokeless powder 10-gauge loads our ammunition companies offered were 4 1/4 drams of bulk smokeless powder or 32-grains of dense smokeless powder (such as Infallible or Ballistite) pushing 1 1/4 ounce of shot. In the 1870s and 1880s, E. Remington & Sons did build some very heavy 10-gauge hammer doubles, but again the black powder ammo of that era wasn't anything like the high velocity/magnum loads we've had since the 1920s and 30s.

[Jeff S]

Very nice pictures and I appreciate the information. Next time I get the chance I'll take a closer look at my dad's "K". I do know that it's in pretty rough shape, but it's still fun to learn a little about it's history.