Remington introduced the 20 gauge Lightweight Model 870 in both standard and magnum versions, with scaled-down receivers and mahogany stocks and forends in 1972.
In 1974 due to a shortage of American walnut, Remington began fitting some M870 Field Grade shotguns with mahogany stocks and fore-ends. Then in 1979 American walnut stocks replaced mahogany stocks on all 20 gauge, 28 gauge and .410 Lightweight Field guns.
The 1100 field gun in 1969 came with mahogany stock and fore-end, and Skeet guns came in American walnut. The 20 LW had mahogany and once again in 1974 some of all models had mahogany due to a walnut shortage.
I have found the mahogany to be slightly more "red" in color when placed side by side with a walnut version, which can have some blond streaks
In 78-79 they went back to all walnut I think.

 

Interesting. Is mahogany preferred? I'll bet that I have sold/traded an 1100 and 870 in the past that was actually mahogany.

I simply think of these older Remingtons as having very nice furniture.

Maggs

 

The grain structure in mahogany is noticeably different from walnut. As for mahogany being preferred; not in my house. It is too soft and damages easily. It is also not nearly as nice looking in a gunstock as walnut. I've seen quite a few mahogany stocks and never found one I really liked.

 

If you look at the picture of my Remingtons in the galleries, my 28 has a mahogany stock set. The mahogany stocks arrived in 1966 on the "20 Ga. Lightweight" 1100s, which were built on the 12 gauge sized receiver, but had mahogany stocks. In 1969 the then new 28 and 410 Model 1100s and 870s arrived with mahogany as well. The LW 20 arrived in 1970 and it too sported mahogany and so did the LW20 870 when it first arrived.
Supposedly there was a walnut shortage in 1974 and some field grade 1100s and 870s got mahogany, but I have never seen any 12 gauge with mahogany, or on any gun I didn't list. And, I don't think it was anywhere near 100% on the 20 gauges. My opinion is/was that Remington's production was outrunning their walnut supply, and that they used mahogany to make up the shortfalls only, starting with the small gauges. Mahogany is lighter, and softer, than walnut, but it do look good. Mine has held up well.

 

So which one in that picture was the 28 gauge the bottom one?

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I've been suspecting my 69 Field gun has Mahogany stocks just due to the unimpressive grain and color.

 

Yes, the bottom one is the 28.

 

My nice old Remington Model 11 20 ga (1947) vintage has mahogany. I like this wood. All the real pretty old pleasure boats had mahogany. It's a nice red color and pleasant to look at.

 

Agreed. I like mahogany ten thousand times weathered teak. If you ever get up in the Thousand Islands region in New York, all the old boats in great shape in that fresh water are grand to see.