Not sure what exactly what I have here ??

[BUSSMAN69]

I just bought a Remington double barrel, side x side, Shotgun with rabbit ear external hammers. It is in 16 gauge. It is in beautiful condition with hardly any wear at all. Lockup is rock solid and the hammer springs are tight and crisp. The only thing I can find online is the model 1889 that was made in 16 gauge, in very limited numbers. These hammers are not 1889 hammers, they are not circular enough. I have a model 1889 in 10 gauge, and they are not the same hammers. So not sure what I have exactly ?? It has the "E. Remington & Sons Ilion, NY" stamping on the rib between the barrels. It has Damascus barrels also.

DSCF1034.JPG (493.8 KiB) Viewed 198 times

I would appreciate any wisdom that someone can pass along to me. I will try to attach several pictures to this post. Hopefully all goes well with that.

[dieNusse1]

Two points. First, according to Semmer's book, Remington Double Shotguns, the 16 Ga was not offered until the 1885 model. Second, due to the sale and reorganization in 1888, Model 1889 barrels would be stamped Remington Arms Co. Since Remington would use all parts there may be a few 1889s out there stamped E. Remington & Sons.

What is the serial number? That might help with the ID.

[BUSSMAN69]

Thanks for the response back to me on this. The serial number is 17238.

[dieNusse1]

Your gun seems to fall within the Model1885 S/N range (16700 - 20200). Probable late 1885 or early 1886 date of production. Hammers appear to match 1885 vintage.

[BUSSMAN69]

Well Thanks again for the information on that. Mystery solved. The seller had it listed as an 1885/87 model, which confused me at first. I googled Remington 16 gauge double barrel side X side shotgun with external hammers. And the only information I found was on the Model 1889. So the seller was correct with his Identification on this shotgun.

[dieNusse1]

One additional comment.

Remington offered seven grades with the non engraved versions grades 1 - 3. Grade 1 came with decarbonized steel barrels. Grade 2 offered twist steel and Grade 3 came with Damascus barrels. Of course the price would increase as the grade increased.

You say it's Damascus but from what I can see it appears to be a twist steel barrel or Grade 2. A better picture would help. The 1885/1887 is fairly rare and 16Ga adds to the rarity.

[BUSSMAN69]

Here are some more pictures taken in sunlight. Trying to show the barrel pattern clearer then the previous pictures.
So is there a Model 1885 and also a Model 1887, 2 separate models ? Or is it a Model 1885/1887, that is just one model ??

[dieNusse1]

You have a Grade 2 with twist steel barrels. I consider twist steel a form of Damascus steel but in this world Damascus steel barrels have fancy patterns. Many, many variations.

There is no known difference between a 85 and 87 - why Remington designated a difference will never be know. S/N less than 20200 is an 85 -- higher is an 87. ????

As for loads - Remington started to offer "nitro" proof barrels with the SxS models 1889, 1894 and 1900.
Whether this applies to the 1885/87 I don't know. However, shooting black powder is fun. Rule of thumb is equal VOLUMES of powder to shot.

Enjoy!

[BUSSMAN69]

Well Thank You once again for your insight on this. My niche is old side by side double barrel shotguns with the external rabbit ear hammers. But mainly in 10 gauge, regardless of manufacturer. I have 3 of them that are Remingtons. An 1882, an 1889 and an 1878 Whitmore Lifter, all in 10 gauge. And I would love to shoot them all someday too. I knew that 16 gauge Remingtons in this configuration would be rare. So I jumped on this one and an glad that I did. Thanks again for sharing your expertise with me, I do appreciate it.