Help with Remington I.D.

[dormin]

Friend of mine recently received several guns from estate. One of them is a Remington Arms Co. Side by Side with Damascus barrels.
It's in really rough shape, forestock and butt are cracked.
I'm trying to help him identify it. Not sure but it looks to be a 12 gauge.
The only markings, besides the name...
Down the vented rib (on top) it says Remington Arms
On left barrel, looks to be 1055
Crack the barrel and inside is the number 353151
Any help at all would be apppreciated. I've been looking all over the net, but to no avail.
Thanks,

 

[Jim Watson]

From the serial number 353151 only with no picture or detailed description, it appears you have a Remington Model 1900 shotgun made 1900-1910.

Discussion at:
http://www.wisnersinc.com/additional_info/RemingtonDblID.htm

Look closely and you will be able to tell if it was made before or after the firing pin change in 1906, but there is no way to pin it down to the exact year made.

 

[dormin]

Thanks for the info. After looking up more info on the 1900 I believe you nailed it! I would love to offer this guy for the gun, but I want to be fair. Like I said, the wood is REALLY bad, would definitely need replaced.
1) What would be a reasonable offer
2) What would be the best course of action to replace the stock?
I know I haven't given you enough info, just looking for generalities here.
thanks again...

 

[Dave McC]

Damascus barrels are generally regarded as unsafe. Oft these let go in between the hands and just in front of the eyes.

Yes, the odds are not that severe of it happening, but look at the stakes.

Besides, the 1900 Remingtons,which were good guns at the time, have chambers suited for ammo shorter than those we use today. Using modern ammo will run pressures way up.

I've run across a few 1900s and even shot some that had steel barrels and had been to a decent smith for chamber and choke work. They handle well, and will serve as a fine field gun for decades more.

However, to put this into service safely will require more money than you can get out of it afterwards, never a good idea.

In your shoes, I'd pass on this....

 

[PetahW]

FWIW - Unless it's a very inexpensively-made, throughbolt-attached stock type, double shotgun stocks are usually not a "drop-in".
They will require expert fitting ($$$$), beyond the cost of the wood.
And then (if it's to be "right") there's the checkering (more $$$).

.