Quastions about my Rem model 510

[Rob62]

Questions about my Rem model 510

I also posted this query over on rimfirecentral.com but I can't post pictures there so am also posting here as I think pictures help out a lot.

I stopped by a Pawn Shop and was somewhat surprised to find a pretty nice Remington 510 Targetmaster sitting next to a lot of used and abused rifles and shotguns. Since this rifle needed a good home, and I haven’t bought any guns in a while I took it home with me.

The barrel markings of “RR†indicate a date of manufacture of November 1924, 1968 or possibly 1997. If I understand the Remington barrel date codes correctly.

According to the reference book I have the 510 was not made in any of these years. Thus I am perplexed as to the date of manufacture. The barrel clearly appears to be original to the receiver with the patina / bluing under the wood line matching up perfectly. There definitely are two “R†side by side on the left side of the barrel just in front of the receiver. Any thoughts on this issue?? I would love to know when this gun was made.

This rifle has the elevation adjustable rear sight that is attached to the barrel with 2 screws. Not the Peep Sight version I really would have liked to find, but non-the less I think a good deal at less than $100 out the door.

As I said, I believe everything is original. The barrel and other steel parts have a very nice brown patina from the original finish. Which I believe was a rust bluing method that Remington used to use. The wood is in good condition also IMO. Lots of smaller nicks and dents but I would have expected nothing less from a rifle this old.

I cleaned this rifle up and do not plan any further modifications to it. It was as dirty as any firearm I have ever seen. Including those M60 MG’s firing blank ammo that I used to fondly carry while in the military. There were years and years of old powder and crud built up. The inside of the receiver was FILTHY.

I would not be surprised if this gun had not been cleaned since it was made. Luckily, there was no problem with the bore. The bore is mirror bright, the only problem seems to be some minor rust built up near the outside front of the barrel. Steel wool and solvent or very fine sandpaper should take care of this problem though.
I have several other .22s that have scopes and other modifications. This one is going to be strictly a reminder of a time long gone when guns were made of steel and wood. Iron sights were the only real sighting options and .22s were used for everything from putting dinner on the table to shooting a fox raiding the hen house.

I can’t wait to get this rifle out to the range and see how it shoots.

Regards,
Rob

 

[Mike Hull]

Using the code "RR" I got Nov., 1924, or 1968. But, using the code "ORR" which is what it looks like to me, it shows July, 1946.

It's hard to really make out the last letter of the code, so I also tried "RP", and got Nov., 1923, or 1967.

The 1946 date seems more like it, but I'll never know for sure. Whenever it was made, it's surely worth the $100.00 you paid for it.

I had one of the 500(510, 511, 512?) series back in the 50's, and used it for many of my marksman, through expert qualifications in NRA junior Quals. Nostalgia.

 

[Rob62]

Mike,

I hadn't thought about the posibility of ORR. I thought the detent "O" prior to the two R's was part of the barrel instalation into the receiver.

But your comment makes a lot sense.

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Man-O-War]

It is also my opinion that the marking is O RR which would indicate a July 1946 date.

I really like these old rifles. My first rifle was a Remington 510. I inherited it when I was about 5 years old. I carried it all the time and shot it a lot. I finally shot so many .22 shorts through it that .22 long rifles would no longer extract if fired. I still have that rifle. I like it so much that I got both my children 510s for their first rifles.

Gotta love those 510s!