Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is quite special, it is a BEAST of a gun! At first we felt it might even by 8 Bore, making most 12 gauge shotguns look quite small. Made prior to 1898, it is Federally classed as antique ANTIQUE. The Remington Model 1889 Double Barreled shotgun was the last external hammer shotgun they would produce, and was really the last of the great side hammer shotguns.
For most of the 19th Century, Shotguns had not been a big market for American gun makers, due to the well-developed import trade coming out of England. However, in 1883, U.S. Congress imposed a 35% on imported firearms, and the American arms industry was quick to respond. Remington was America's oldest gunmaker, and had in fact been making top-break double shotguns since 1874, so they were already in production at this watershed moment, and quickly produced a number of different models.
The Model 1889 is the endpoint in the evolution of these Remington hammer guns. Like all the others, it was extremely well made and finished, but there is a sleekness about it that the others can’t quite match. And its low-profile hammers with their nearly circular necks are distinctive.
Remington offered it in seven grades, the lower three as production guns, the higher four, nicely engraved, on special order only. Grades 1, 2 and 3 look virtually identical. Charles G. Semmer extensively researched the history of Remington Shotguns in his book Remington Double Shotguns, published in 1996:
Grade 1 is the only one that contains decarbonized steel barrels, Grade 2 has twist steel barrels and Grade 3, Damascus. Remember, the 1880s was still a time when twist or Damascus barrels was one sign of a top-quality gun.
Actually, the Model 1889 came at a watershed in company history. E. Remington & Sons went bankrupt in 1888, and when the New Model 1889 appeared, it was under the style Remington Arms Company. It was the last of the hammer guns, superseded by a series of hammerless breechloaders beginning with the Model 1894. But the handsome old thing didn’t go quietly; it remained popular enough that the company kept building it till 1908. That makes the Model 1889 one of the last high-quality hammer guns made in this country.
As a double Barrel with DAMASCUS STEEL barrels, this is definitely a Grade 3 Model 1889, the best of the standard production models. It has two side Hammer gun locks, each marked REMINGTON ARMS CO. on the lock plate. It is also marked REMINGTON ARMS CO. ILION N.Y. U.S.A. on the center strap between the barrels. It has a dark brown composition checkered Butt plate with the R.A. script monogram.
The shotgun is overall in very nice condition, good markings under the barrel, including Serial number 33660, which is also marked on the receiver, barrel latch, and on both the metal and wood components of the forestock. The Model 1889 had started at serial number 24,000 in 1889, and by 1897 the last serial was 80389, so this is a very early example, probably from the first few years of production.
The weapon is stamped rather haphazardly SO. OMAHA DEPOT on the bottom of the buttstock just behind the grip. But a Depot for what? Railroad most likely, as in the late 1800s and early 1900s Omaha was home to massive stockyards, which had opened in 1883. There was also the U.S. Army Quartermaster Depot in Omaha, which opened in 1881, as well as other large Railroad infrastructure.
The gun breaks down as it should, and is mostly functional. The only issue is that the left hammer screw has been replaced, and the left lock leaves the hammer on the firing pin after discharge, so it must be manually pulled back. Otherwise, it's a great example of an iconic gun.
Condition is quite nice, with a nice finish on the metal and wood. The barrels have a bit of darkening, which has greatly enhanced the damascus patterns. Under the foregrip a much lighter pattern can be seen. Wood is in good shape, with lovely grain, and a good amount of checkering still on the foregrip. The 10 gauge barrels have 3 inch chambers, and are in good condition, with some wear and powder fowling near the chambers.
Very nice and fully cleaned ready to display and research.
Specifications:
Years of Manufacture: c.1891-2
Caliber: 10 Gauge
Ammunition Type: 10 Gauge Shotgun Shells
Barrel Length: 32 inches with 3 inch chambers
Overall Length: 49 inches
Action: Side Action Hammer actuated Firing Pins.
Feed System: Top Break Single Shot
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): New Jersey
This product is not available for international shipping.
IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States.
These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers". Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.
Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required.
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