1968 "Riot" 870 Wingmaster ?'s

P

Peacekeeper

Inactive
Around 2001, I bought a 18"-Bbl'd Remeington Model 870 Wingmaster that the dealer said was a "Riot" model made specifically for the riots of the era. The gun is almost dead mint and has the fancy carved Wingmaster walnut stocks, with a factory non-ribbed barrell. I shot a few boxes of Winchester and Remington 00 through it, loaded it with same and it's been in the closet ever since.

Well since coming into the TFL forums, I've brought it out to take another look. Regardless of whether or not this is a "Riot" model or not it's a sweet gun. My questions for the 870 afficianodos here are: Is there anything I should look at as far as maintaining this gun, i.e. parts or issues from this particular era and it's approximate value? I don't expect it to worth more than a newer one, it's just I thought I heard somewhere that there was few years in the 60's that are considered to be special for 870s.

Thanks for the great info here!
Happy Shooting--
--Tom
 
You have a great shotgun. Exercise it regularly, clean it religiously and your Great Grandchillun will thank you for it.

Early 870s have a certain cachet among collectors, but there are no lemon decades.
 
From that era (actually starting shortly after the introduction of the gun in 1950) the 18" barrel with a bead sighted barrel was called a Police gun and a 20" bead sighted barrel (both cylinder bore) was a Riot gun. I have two contemporary Riot guns, both have plain stocks but I don't think that means anything that your gun is equipped differently. I would expect it to have the short grooved police type forearm however. Mine are marked only as Wingmasters. No matter, they are great guns, very smooth and slick with age and wear.

I don't see any reason to look for anything out of the ordinary parts or accessory wise. Remington didn't get their patent on their factory magazine extensions until May 27, 1969 (it covered their handguard and bayonet mount too). A lot was happening with the development of military and police shotguns in that era and some unusual things (even Rube Goldberg-esque) were tried, but not much ever was factory offered. For example, a while back I bought an original 20" Riot gun barrel that was equipped with an A&W Diverter (aka 'duckbill'). The barrel post-dates my guns, as the Diverter wasn't patented until 1970. I remember them from that era though and was happy to get a chance to pick up the barrel. It works quite well with #4 buck, if you want a pattern 4 times as wide as it is high... . I doubt this one was a factory installation, the device was sold as an accessory and could be mounted by any gunsmith.

As to care, just follow Dave's advice. A good coat of Johnson's Paste Wax will help preserve the finish on both the wood and the metal. I wouldn't expect a great collector value on these guns, they were too common. Unless there is something really unusual about the gun or a previous owner that is. IMO the old working guns have a lot of cachet just as they are, like classic cars with their original paint. Take good care of it as is and enjoy it.

See if you can find a copy of Thomas F. Swearengen's _The World's Fighting Shotguns_ as it has a lot of material on various pumpguns from this era.

Stay Safe,

lpl/nc
 
Interesting information thanks...I would've replied sooner but this was AR Drill weekend...

I think it was the chrome or nickel feeder that was more desirable?

I'm looking to add would be a 26-30" VR blued barrel with interchangeable chokes to try it as a Clays gun, but no luck so far. And I'm guessing it would be approximately the same cost to buy an Express (complete, new) than to add the matching barrel on the WM platform?
 
I have one of the 18" police 870's.

A barrel can be had for about $100 if you shop. You can always find them for more but with a little looking around they are available for less. I don't think the express barrels have the detent to hold the mag cap so find an old blue Wingmaster barrel if you can.

Gun shows usually have a lot of them and I found the longer barrels much easier to find than the shorter ones.

I picked up a 20 inch barrel that had been tapped for a choke. It is amazing how small of a pattern you can get with a turkey choke. Especially after shooting the cylinder bore 18" barrel for a while!
 
Dave McC said:
You have a great shotgun. Exercise it regularly, clean it religiously and your Great Grandchillun will thank you for it.
Click to expand...

Yep. My 16ga 870 wingmaster was given to me by my grandfather. I plan on giving it to mine someday. That thing will last forever.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top