Model 10---what year was it made--what grade is it?

[TheGunrunnerLLC]

I've been lucky enough to come across a model 10 Remington in about pristine condition. It has lots of engraving all over it, receiver, bbl, trigger guard,slide bar(sorry-I do not know proper nomenclature...do I get points for a big word like nomenclature though?...Nope... I probably misspelled that too...),over, under, and sides. Everywhere that could show engraving boasts tasteful hand chiseled scroll work. On the slide bar is the name Remington in script, (Like the trademark of Remington to this day) with TRADE in front and MARK behind the name. Behind the scrollwork on the trigger guard is a circle with "REMINGTON" in small lettering and "U.M.C." in larger letters, and under that, "TRADEMARK", again in smaller letters. The blueing is like new in almost all places. It does not appear that this gun has ever been fired to me. It is truly as pristine as a hundred year old gun can be I believe-- if not kept in museum environs.
Atop the bbl. reads:
Remington Arms-Union Metallic Cartridge Co.
Remington Works, Ilion, New York, USA
Patented Feb.3, 1903, and May 16, 1905
MOD.

THE SERIAL# is U94691
Or...it could be: 194691 with the part of the "U" actually being part of the scrollwork around it.
Or...it could be: I94691 with the rest being the tail of scrollwork...

The walnut stock is nicely figured, but not what we would call "Presentation Grade" wood today...Still looks like nice Turkish (maybe French) Walnut; nice burling and dark colors with dark brown grain and red/tan colors. The pistol grip is round knob, what I would call "Prince of Whales" style. Side panels behind the trigger are checkered finely, as is the pistol grip(round knob) with its sharp angled lines and curved radius' combination. Checkering is of course also at the forend. At least 30 rows per inch; but my eyes grow badly weary counting stuff that small and intricate...Obviously hand cut; the lack of perfection being the mark of hand checkering that finely cut...

OK you guys...Help me out here. When was this gun made. I was told 1909, but I do not have a clue as to the correctness of that date. What grade is this gun? I'll gladly send photos to anyone who is interested in helping me out. Or for that matter,to anyone who would like to see a VERY COOL OLD SHOTGUN !! I was as lucky as a shotgun collector could be when a fellow walked up to me at a gun show and proposed that we trade an AR-15 I had on my table (I had it much to my dismay; I HATE UGLY BLACK GUNS !!) for the Remington...He had to tell me what it was, as I had never seen one knowingly. He was as foreign to shotguns as I am to black rifles; so it was a good trade for us both.
So...WHAT HAVE I GOT HERE GUYS?

ALL HELP APPRECIATED AND ALL LETTERS ANSWERED.

Thanks,
Shep Burton
The Gunrunner,LLC
shep@gunrunnerllc.com
thegunrunnerllc@hotmail.com
757-353-8535

[Researcher]

The company name was Remington Arms Co. thru 1910. And the gun was called the Remington Repeating Gun, or sometimes Model 1908. In 1911 the company name was changed to Remington Arms - Union Metallic Cartridge Co., and shortly thereafter they began call in the gun the Model No. 10. In 1920 the company name was changed to Remington Arms Co., Inc. The old factory ledger starts just after WW-I and the highest Model 10 serial number on the first entry, September 30, 1919, was 172939. So, I'd guess your gun was from the early teens. The No. 10D "Tournament" Grade, the No. 10E "Expert" Grade and the No. 10F "Premier" Grade all had hand engraving and increasingly finer wood and checkering. We need to see some good pictures to tell you what you really have. Here are the engraved Model No. 10s from the Rem-UMC 1913-14 catalogue --

[TheGunrunnerLLC]

From what you have sent me, I would think I have a 10-D. That was what I was told, and what you sent bears that to be true I believe. There is no silver nameplate, and the engraving apppears to be like what is in the picture of the 10-D in the catalogue. I will post pics if I am able to do that here. If not you can send me yo0ur address in my email:
shep@gunrunnerllc.com
Thanks for your help.
Any idea what it might be worth in excellent condition? There ARE a few teenie tiny pits, dust size from age and being in a closet , or a safe somewhere I suppose. I wiped it down with oil for the first time in years a few months ago. I am going to apply pure lemon oil to the stock to rejuvinate the wood . I can't thank you enough for coming to my aid in this quandry. Its always more fun to KNOW what ya have !!

Shep Burton
The Gunrunner,LLC
shep@gunrunnerllc.com
757-425-2936

[TheGunrunnerLLC]

I'll send photos to anyone who would like to see them and take a gander at what this old dinosaur might be. Thanks to all. Send me addresses to which you'd like to have pics sent once my wife takes them...Tonight I hope...
Shep B
The Gunrunner,LLC

[Researcher]

Send me the pictures at AHFCA@comcast.net and I'll post them.

[TheGunrunnerLLC]

My wife is a scad tired tonight, she will take photos tomorrow and I'll send them to you tomorrow evening.
Thanks,
Shep Burton
The Gunrunner,LLC
shep@gunrunnerllc.com

[Researcher]

Here are some of the pictures of the No. 10D "Tournament" Grade.













My gut feeling from the pictures is either the wood has been refinished and the checkering recut or the gun has been restocked. Still, a very nice gun.

[Researcher]

Here are some more pics.

[TheGunrunnerLLC]

Do you have any idea as to its worth? When was it made? Any place I might be able to find out any more about it?
All help is most appreciated...Thanks,
Shep Burton
The Gunrunner,LLC
709 25th St
Va Bch, Va 23451 (office)
757-425-2936
757-353-8535(shop)
thegunrunnerllc@hotmail.com
shep@gunrunnerllc.com

[lowgun]

It is very unlikely the gun has been restocked, considering the quality of design and wood. Obviously the pad is not original, nor is any pad likely to be original. I guess the wood and metal could be refinished, the wood more than likely, the metal upon closer inspection. A 10D is a nice example of early graded guns, but not of exceptional interest to collectors. Try putting it up for sale in the RSA newsletter. This rag reaches about all Remington collectors who would be interested. I have no idea what it is worth. I have been sitting on a 10F two barrel set for years without having any idea of its value. Maybe someone will get to you with an opinion. I can give you one piece of advice. Don't attempt to take it apart other than to dismantle it into the barrel assembly and stock assembly. The action is a mousetrap waiting to snap on your privates. It may look simple but it is not. The stock is extremely fragile and does not appreciate being separated from the action.

[TheGunrunnerLLC]

Great advice, thanks. As always, I appreciate any help I can get in such matters; its impossible to know everything aout ALL of the guns we have in our collections. This gun appears to be unfired, and aside from the curiosity of wondering how it might shoot, I have no reason to spoil it's collectability by shooting it. I really am not interested in selling it for now, but am simply curious as to its value. I didn't think it was a refinish or restock job, but others have displayed the opinion that it had been redone at some time past...Who knows? I certainly have no idea of taking it down (apart), I am a complete mechanical idiot, and such folly would prove disasterous.
Thanks for your help.

I am still hoping someone will come through with opinions on value though. Come on all you Rermington collectors...

[TheGunrunnerLLC]

Incidentally, if you ever decide to sell your 10F, please let me know...I am now a believer in these old guns, and would love to have a few more in my collection...
Thanks again,
Shep Burton