At $150.00 out the door, you got a good deal on your model 11 Cheapshooter. Now you just have to fix that floppy shell lifter. Look on e bay for the part and sometimes on Gunbroker. Check out the exploded drawing in my link at the bottom of this post to see what it looks like. You might try Numrich or Sarco for it too if unavailable on Gunbroker or ebay.
To answer your question about when the in the trigger guard safety was changed to a button safety, from what I've learned, the in the trigger guard (kinda Garand style) safety was changed to the button safety in 1927. I've got two of the earlier in the trigger guard safety ones and one converted "Sportsman" model from the 1940's with the button safety.
People also need to know that the 3 shot "Sportsman" model used a different wooden fore end, different wooden fore end retainer bolt (not the normal cap) and different loading tube and spring than the regular 5 shot model 11 used. The Sportsman can be converted to be just like a regular 5 shot model 11 by simply removing those parts and re-installing model 11 parts to allow for 5 shells (I did it on a Sportsman of mine), but a lot of people don't realize that there is a difference when buying them and then are disappointed when they realize their Sportsman model only holds 3 shells. Of note is the fact that it isn't real easy to find the model 11 loading tube separately. I got lucky and found a fellow who had both the regular model 11 loading tube and wooden fore end. I had to buy the regular longer spring and fore end cap off e bay. So be careful shooters to make sure if you want a 5 shot model 11 to not accidentally buy the model 11 "Sportsman" model that only holds 3 shells instead of the normal five....unless you get a smokin deal on one that makes it worth the cost and hassle of conversion or unless you only shoot skeet with it and WANT a 3 shot only one. Also of note, I HAVE seen "Sportsman" models on Gunbroker occasionally that already have been converted.
Look carefully at the front end of the wooden fore end on the "Sportsman" model. If it is square on its front end and uses a standard screw on cap, then it probably has been converted to be like a regular 5 shot model 11. If its wooden fore end is more "Beaver tailed" tapered at the front and uses the knurled end bolt head that isn't as thick as a regular screw on cap, then it is an unconverted "Sportsman" model and is a 3 shot only.
For a complete explanation of this in text with pics showing my converting my Sportsman model to the normal model 11 configuration, see my thread here at this link.....
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=532861
I also found out that by putting a spacer under the loading tube cap, and allowing my loading tube's spring retainer plug to extend out about 1/4 of an inch by using that spacer under the cap, that I could get five high wall brass 00 buck shells into the tube instead of the usual four. With one chambered, that makes six shells capacity. There was no problem previously with loading five low wall brass bird shot shells, but the high wall brass 00 buck shells are just a little bit longer than the low wall brass shells and wouldn't allow me to load five by lacking about 1/4 inch of loading space that I didn't have. By putting that 1/4 inch spacer under the cap it allows me to load five of the slightly longer 00 buck high wall brass shells too.
Text and pics of how I did that at this link.....
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=534150
Just won this fancy inlaid wood Remy model 11 buttstock off Proxibid a few days ago for $47.00 including shipping. Will arrive soon. I've never seen a fancy one like this for the model 11. Ain't it pretty? Not sure but I think it's Maple. Strange though that the grip was only checkered on the right side. Now if I can just find a fancy fore end somewhere that at least somewhat matches it.
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