Remington Model 1894? markings location?

[au_prospector]

Can anyone help me ID a SxS shotgun I found? Also need to know potential problems.

Shotgun is tagged by seller as a Remington 1894. It has a 6 digit serial number which I failed to copy down but I believe it begins with '1' which I think makes it a 1894. There are no apparent markings on the barrels or anywhere I could find except a 'RA' stamp underneath the forestock along with some markings which may indicate choke? It is a hammerless receiver with no scroll work. The stock is pistol grip with good checkering. The forearm snaps onto the barrels with a tension spring which is probably broken as it does not hold tightly.

The wood is original and shows use. There are two chips in the stock where it meets the receiver at the trigger guard corners. The barrels, barrel rib, and receiver have almost no bluing left, but are NOT pitted, with no rust, but a faint patina. The chamber is bright clean and shiny. The bore and barrels are bright and shiny. Lockup is good, the barrels open easily and close pretty tightly and with a solid snap. It should shoot just fine.

The barrels have no visible markings, unless I missed them. They have a light textured scroll on them, they are not smooth. The texture is in a pattern, this is not engraving. I have never seen it before. Is this a Damascus barrel? Does that add anything to value?

1) I believe this gun is about 100 years old, shoot-able with modern ammo?
2) Looking at it, I guess it is about 50% condition cosmetically but the bores and barrels look good and lock up seems okay.
3) He wants $300 for it. Might get it for $250
4) Is the forestock an easy fix?
3) What would you do? At first I thought it was a good deal, but I dont really want a 12 GA. If you think I could buy it, fix it up, shoot it a bit and then resell it I might just do it.

 

[dprice3844444]

google remington 1894 shotgun

 

[TurtlePhish]

Is this a Damascus barrel? Does that add anything to value?

Most likely answer is yes. Doesn't really add value, but may subtract some. Makes the gun unsafe to shoot with modern loads- pretty much limits you to light reloads.

 

[MachIVshooter]

If the barrels are twist steel (probably are), I would suggest not shooting it. When new, twist steel (Damascus) barrels were typically stronger than fluid steel of the day. Problem is, corrsion sets in between the layers and joints, making them very susceptible to fracture 100 years later. If a competent smith checks it out and says you're GTG, use black powder 2-1/2" shells.

What would I do if I wanted it to be a shooter? 20 ga. barrel inserts.

 

[au_prospector]

Thanks to all who posted meaningful information. This is exactly what I was looking for. Forgetting this one and moving on.

 

[clang]

The snap on forearm makes it a Model 1900, not an 1894.

Barrels are most likely Damascus, and the gun may be highly polished to remove rust/pitting. You do not want a gun with Damasacus barrels that may have had rust and been polished - more rust/corrusion can be hidden inside the barrel steel - the iron portion can rust much more quickly than the steel portion. You wouldn't even notice until the gun goes kaboom.

If the Damascus barrels are in good original condition, I am not afriad to shoot modern ammo out of it (if the chambers are the correct length). I guy in the Double Gun Journel tested Damascus barrels vs Perios steel ones till bursting and found the Daamascus to be stronger.

The only problem is knowing if your Damascus barrels are in good condition.