Go to the Remington web site, use their internal e-mail form and request your info. That way you will have an official answer. Barrel codes are not reliable because you can switch barrels.

 

A = March
T = 1970 or 1999

Prefix S = made between some time between 1968 - 1973 so this negates the 1999 above.
Suffix W = 16 gauge 2 3/4" chamber

So, your barrel was made in March of 1970 and provided it has the original barrel on it I would say your gun was about that same time as well.

 

ok..sent Remington an email..
did the remington lookup ..
on another site .. 1923 ____ 1969_______1999
ok.. now we wait. thanks guys.

edit: heck . there's no dout . she's a 1969 ..
?
close enough. thanks fellas.

 

The S in the serial number is not 1969, it just means it was made sometime between 1968 and 1973.

Prior to 1968 there was no prefix letter used in the serial number and it changed to a T in 1974

The T in the barrel code is 1970.
Your receiver and the rest of the gun could be any year between 1968-1973, but since the barrel code is march 1970 and say the rest of it too.

I love the 16 gaugees

 

Remington 870 Serial Number Prefix Codes

1950 - 1967
No Prefix

1968 - 1973
"S" Prefix

1974 - 1977
"T" Prefix

1978 - 1983
"V" Prefix

1984 - 1989
"W" Prefix

1990
"X" Prefix

1991 - 1993
"A" Prefix

1994 - 1996
"B" Prefix

1997 - 2000
"C" Prefix

2001
"D" Prefix

REMINGTON SHOTGUN SERIAL NUMBER STRUCTURE

M/870 LETTER PREFIX

1950 TO APPROX 1968: NO SERIAL NUMBER PREFIX
1968 TO PRESENT: LETTERS USED (IN SEQUENCE)
S-68, T-74, V-78, W-84, X-90, A-91, B-94, C-97, D-01, AB-05

LETTER SUFFIX (DESIGNATES GAUGE)

V 12 GA. (2 3/4")
M 12 GA. MAGNUM (3")
A 12 GA. "SUPER" MAGNUM (3 ½")
W 16 GA. ( 2 ¾" )
X 20 GA. "HEAVY FRAME" (DISCONTINUED)
N 20 GA. "HEAVY FRAME MAGNUM" (DISCONTINUED)
K 20 GA. "LIGHT WEIGHT" ("LW") (ALSO INCLUDES M/1100 "LT")
U 20 GA. LW MAGNUM (ALSO INCLUDES M/1100 "LT")
J 28 GA.
H .410 BORE (2 ½" OR 3")

 

Thanks for the info above. I just took an 870 in a trade deal. It's a 'Wingmaster', 12 ga, 2 3/4" chamber with a 25 or 26" barrel fixed choke IC. It's in fine shape, my 1st 870.

 

Thanks for the info, looking at an 870 magnum wingmaster. What is a good price it is in excellent condition?

 

I used to email Remington with the serial number and they would tell the exact year of manufacture. Sadly, they don't do that anymore.