A gun is tool with a purpose. Make it yours.
Those are some nice looking choke tubes. I've always been impressed with Briley's machining work when I've seen it up close

 

Nice upgrade to your piece of living history. I wish you much success as you hunt turkeys with your nearly 100 year old shotgun. Please let us know how it patterns.

 

You do indeed have a vintage piece of pragmatic history there. Enjoy it!

I have Dad's, made sometime after yours. I think of him everytime I pick it up. The barrel was bulged right near the muzzle, I shot it that way for decades with no problem and wish I would have left it that way. Then a machinist/ametuer gunsmith friend convinced me to cut it off behind the bulge. I subsequently had the Polychoke folks themselves install a poly before they went out of business. It now totals 24 inches. I liked the original 28 inch handling better and I don't use it much, but it works fine and has taken lots of game, and made priceless memories for me since Dad passed it on to me when I was much, MUCH, younger. Even prior to that, I followed around behind him as he carried it, when I myself was to young to hunt.

Even though I use my more modern guns exclusively, I try to bag at least one bird or bunny every year with it to honor Dad.

When I'm no longer able or gone, which won't be too awful long in the future, someone with a niche need will get a useful beater or parts gun. Until then I will enjoy handling it, and the memories it prompts.

 

Very interesting! I made many miles behind my dad and grampa as a mere yearling because I couldn't pick up a gun, much less shoot one.
Pretty much used as a "retriever" during dove season! LOL! I had a blast.
My "memory" firearm sits in our safe.
I was an "only" son and "only" grandson.
My maternal grampa died when mom was 12 years old, so my paternal grampa was my "only" grampa!
When I was 3 years old, my great uncle (grampa's brother) gave me his L.C. Smith 16 gauge. I couldn't even keep both ends off the floor!
When I got it, the barrels were pitted due to mercury fulminate primers. It's a little loose in the breech and the safety doesn't engage. But I killed lot's of game with it.

 

The old Remington Arms Co., Inc. factory ledger reveals receivers in the 2004xx range were put in work during the fourth week of August 1931. The Sportsman in 20-gauge was introduced in 1930 --

with the 12- & 16-gauges being advertised by the June 1931, issue of Field & Stream --

Originally The Sportsman serial numbers were prefaced with an S. I've recorded 16-gauges with the S into the 2049xx range. The first I've recorded without the S is in the 2070xx range, so I have quite a gap to close.

 

Thank you, sir! That's interesting info.

 

I have the same Sportsman 16 gauge also.
Mine is first year production 1931.It looks like it was manufactured yesterday!

 

I had never paid any attention to the prefix!
It does have an "S".

 

IMO you'd be smart to talk to Art's about a new recoil spring. Those old Remington "square wire" springs are almost always weaker than they should be after all the years since they were made. A new spring made a world of difference in my Model 11 16ga.

 

I

Thanks! I'll definitely take that under advisement.
I was also informed to make certain ALL the recoil rings were present on the mag tube before purchase!
They were....which brings up another question!

The "rings" need to be arranged in a specific order for heavy, medium and light loads!
What is the sequence for each?

 

The rings are either set up for "heavy" or "light"........there is no "medium" arrangement. This diagram was intended for the Browning Auto 5: Setup is exactly the same for Remington Model 11's but I'm using this one because it's a much clearer diagram than the ones Remington provided in their old manuals. Pay attention to the beveled edges of both the bronze friction piece and the steel ring.

 

Thanks Woodduck1,
I got to digging after posting that and eventually found this!

 

One more "ask".
Who/what is "Art's"?

 

Art's Gun Shop in Missouri. They know more about A5's, Remington 11's, and Savage 7xx's than the rest of us ever will. Have spring/rebuild kits, etc. available.......or gunsmithing right up to doing a full restoration if want to go that far. Gun Repair - Arts Gun Shop

 

Ever since I began my life long wingshooting afficianado journey wiping down and practicing mounting Dad's Sportsman while still too young to hunt or shoot, I've admired John Brownings iconic creation of the Auto 5 platform.

I've since moved on to more modern guns. But one itch born from that experience that I've not yet scratched, is to enjoy a 20 bore Sportsman. I don't recall for sure ever handling one in person and have seen only very, very, few, advertised on line.

By today's standards, I consider them kind of a niche, vintage indulgence, while still being serviceable. Sleeker, lighter, more modern 20 bore autoloaders gas, inertia, or otherwise surely would be preferred by most. Browning Auto 5 Light 20 included. But the Sportsman 20 still intrigue me.

Jaqua's had one a few years back. I considered it and inquired about the weight. I knew what to expect, and was only slightly surprised that it was eight pounds. I wanted something much lighter for carrying around at the time. Still, with the right barrel length, and if it fit and handled well, it would make a fun, enjoyable, low recoil, tool on a dove stand. Or for Clay's or skeet. A bit too heavy to carry around walking ALL day for an out of shape old timer like me. With the rings set correctly, I think it would be a pleasant, soft shooting, fun Clay's or stationary hunting gun with target weight loads. Perhaps I'll find out someday.

 

Ever since I began my life long wingshooting afficianado journey wiping down and practicing mounting Dad's Sportsman while still too young to hunt or shoot, I've admired John Brownings iconic creation of the Auto 5 platform.

I've since moved on to more modern guns. But one itch born from that experience that I've not yet scratched, is to enjoy a 20 bore Sportsman. I don't recall for sure ever handling one in person and have seen only very, very, few, advertised on line.

By today's standards, I consider them kind of a niche, vintage indulgence, while still being serviceable. Sleeker, lighter, more modern 20 bore autoloaders gas, inertia, or otherwise surely would be preferred by most. Browning Auto 5 Light 20 included. But the Sportsman 20 still intrigue me.

Jaqua's had one a few years back. I considered it and inquired about the weight. I knew what to expect, and was only slightly surprised that it was eight pounds. I wanted something much lighter for carrying around at the time. Still, with the right barrel length, and if it fit and handled well, it would make a fun, enjoyable, low recoil, tool on a dove stand. Or for Clay's or skeet. A bit too heavy to carry around walking ALL day for an out of shape old timer like me. With the rings set correctly, I think it would be a pleasant, soft shooting, fun Clay's or stationary hunting gun with target weight loads. Perhaps I'll find out someday.

There are 10 model Eleven 20 gauges on Gunbroker right now from $4000 down.

 

It is indeed, intact.....right now! LOL!