Factory engraved Rem model 10 1913 info needed

[musketshooter]

I recently purchased an exquisite Remington Model 10 that I believe is a factory custom shotgun. The company confirmed that it was made in 1913, but they have no sales records that would identify the engraver or owner. They recommended that I contact Leon Wier, but I don't have his e-mail addresss to send pictures to. The serial number of the gun is 99283. The numbers are engraved, not stamped. The number set on the lower front has a stylized U in front of the number. Is this the engraver's identification mark? Any assistance with further identification would be appreciated.

[DavidFagan]

[quote="musketshooter"]I recently purchased an exquisite Remington Model 10 that I believe is a factory custom shotgun. The company confirmed that it was made in 1913, but they have no sales records that would identify the engraver or owner. They recommended that I contact Leon Wier, but I don't have his e-mail addresss to send pictures to. The serial number of the gun is 99283. The numbers are engraved, not stamped. The number set on the lower front has a stylized U in front of the number. Is this the engraver's identification mark? Any assistance with further identification would be appreciated.

Leon is remshots@remingtonsociety.com

I don't believe he reads the message board.

[musketshooter]

Hello David. Thanks for the e-mail address. I sent Leon several pictures for his review. CB

[Vic]

Your shotgun is a model 10E, Expert Grade. The serial number is engraved rather than stamped and the U at the start refers to UMC. Forgot if you had other questions. Sometimes the engravers hid their initials somewhere in the engraving pattern. Look yours over carefully. Vic/

[Researcher]

I think the U in front of the serial number is a Remington inventory letter like the P in front of the serial numbers on Model 1894s, and the Q on Model 1900s.

Nice looking gun.

[musketshooter]

I called the Remington Company and the researcher told me that the U in front of the serial number designated the shotgun as a repeater. It has nothing to do with UMC, which controled the firm at the time.
The "guru" of the Remington collectors has alread indicated that it is a F grade. If you think it is an E grade, I need to know here that info is available.

[Vic]

Musket Shooter, it is an E-Grade. I have the 1918-19 catalog in front of me. It clearly shows the engraving (single dog surrounded by scroll) and the checkering as the E-Grade. I can send you e-mail pictures of an F-Grade to show the differences. Need your e-mail address. I don't know how to post pictures on this site or I would do it directly. The F-Grade engraving shows two dogs surrounded by more scroll coverage and the checkering pattern is the same as an F-Grade Model 11. I may not be your expert on Model 10s but I do have an original almost mint 1912-13 Model 10 F-grade and it is exactly as pictured in the catalog. Thanks for the information on the U in front of the serial number. All of these years I thought U was for UMC. Vic/

[DavidFagan]

[Vic]

Sorry on the checkering pattern comment as the posted picture did not show it. The catalog shows the differences. Went to the Remington site and looked up my serial # U6295x. If the same # series was used for Model 10s as in Model 11s, then mine was possibly made in 1908. I had previously thought it was made in 1912-13 per Larry Street's 1966 "Gun Digest" article on Model 10s. Mr. Street described the differences in barrel markings and corresponding years. Per the article section on barrel markings, mine was supposed to be before 1913 and after 1911 as it is marked:
REMINGTON ARMS - UNION METALLIC CARTRIGE CO.
REMINGTON WORKS, ILION, NEW YORK, U.S.A.
PATENTED FEBRUARY 3, 1903 AND MAY 16, 1905

I wonder which is now correct for the date of manufacture? Vic/

[musketshooter]

Hello again. Thanks for posting the pictures. You have a beautiful gun. I am convinced you are correct now. The barrel markings on mine are:
REMINGTON ARMS-UNION METALIC CARTRIDGE CO.
REMINGTON WORKS. ILION, NEW YORK, U.S.A.
PATENTED FEBRUARY 3, 1903 AND MAY 16, 1905