Age of Remington 512 Sportmaster

[HansenFarm]

Trying to establish age of one of my 512s. Date code is DH which would mean Sept. of 1939 or 1961. How do you establish which of those years? It does have a serial # of 1260 which would make me think it is the later year but thought Remington did use some serial #s early on. Purshased at an estate auction so know no history. Good solid gun but looks older than a 1961.

Hope someone can help.

[John Gyde]

Yours sounds like a 1939 rifle. If so, it should have a case colored bolt and should not have a grooved receiver.

[HansenFarm]

Thanks for your response John. The receiver is not grooved and I did not know when they started doing the grooves. None of my collection of 500 series has grooves.

[John Gyde]

They started in the mid-1950s on the 511 & 512, but not the 510.

[HansenFarm]

Thank you for the info John. The bolt is mostly darker than on several 500s I have that are of 1947 vintage so it may be case hardened.

Was hoping it was a 1939 mfg. since it is in as good of condition as it is and appears to be all original with no drilling etc.

I need a scope to shoot anymore and have several of the series that have been D&T for scope bases and 1 with side mount weaver so have plenty to shoot without taking that 512 out.

May be worth a little more when the kids sell the collection which I hope won't be too soon.

thanks