870 remington

M

meyer99

Inactive
Hi, I'm new but have a question. I have found an 870 for sale (just seen pics) that the guy says does not say either wingmaster or express on the receiver. Did remington make 870 wingmasters that did not say wingmaster on them?
Cuirious. trying to get to see the gun in person.
 
 
Yes they have made Wingmasters that do not say Wingmaster on them. In over 10 million guns anything is possible. Remington's rollmarking practices have been inconsistent at times. For example, I have seen a rather early 1100 with nothing on the receiver but the serial number. Barrel date codes are absent on a LOT of barrels. However, I have never seen a Wingmaster that wasn't polished and blued steel, unless it was a Parkerized police or Special Purpose model, and Parkerizing is NOT flat black - or anything like an Express. It's kind of a smooth dark gray with a hint of green sometimes. If I didn't know guns pretty good I would be leery of any claims of a Wingmaster that wasn't so marked.
 
kbails84; not that its a big deal, but my 870 says wingmaster on the left side of the receiver not the right side, of course mines a right hand version.
 
There are noticeable differences.

I have seen Wingmasters that go back to the 60's and to date, all say Wingmasters. Some of the early expresses may not say so. Visually there is a noticeable difference and mostly in the finish. One sure clue, is the wood; Walnut VS. Birch. Another is the bluing/metal finish. .... ;)

Be Safe !!!
 
When first introduced, there was just the Wingmaster 870, things have changed over the years. How is the left side of the receiver marked? If it isn't marked Wingmaster, don't pay a Wingmaster price for it.
 
I don't think mine says Wingmaster on it, but I know it is. I found it in a pawn shop and instantly recognized it. High polished blue steel, nice walnut with caps and white line spacers, buttery smooth action, solid silver colored shell lifter, and checkering on the stock.

There is a huge difference between WingMasters and Express models making it pretty much self-evident what you have. There will be no oohs and aahs when you handle an Express. ;)
 
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Actually, with the very early Expresses back in the 80s, you couldn't tell the difference in the dark. The first reduced cost versions of the 870, were the Sportsman models. They predated the Express. They may be the steal of all time. Most of them had Wingmaster level fit and finish with a hardwood stock.
 
Yes. LH side. I'm one of those who has never seen a Wingmester that did not say Wingmester, and I've owned, and seen, a heck of a lot of them since they are a favorite of mine and I'm always looking for them. In any case, I agree with the guy who said...if it doesn't say Wingmaster, the price should be discounted. Resale value is definitely impacted.
 
Remington has changed up on markings a few times.I have seen well polished 870s with good walnut that aren't marked as Wingmasters. One, at least, was marked just "Magnum".

In all truth, I do not think it's that important. If it delights the eye with a fine polish and shoots where you're looking, isn't that enough?
 
Expresses have never been stamped "Express," have they? Every Express I've seen just has the "Remington" branding inscription.

I think you can find Wingmasters stamped and not stamped, but Expresses are only stamped "Remington".
 
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