870 Wingmaster question for you .....

[hittman]

I've got a 12 gauge marked 870 Wingmaster with vent rub barrel but curious (to me) wood.

The forearm is "corn cob" style and neither it or the butt stock have checkering. The wood is also a lighter color than other Wingmasters I own and not as glossy.

I got it from a man in his 80s who said he bought it new about 1970 and it dates to the late 60s. At that time, you suppose they had 2 different grades of wood? Any other thoughts?

 

[NikA]

Sounds like a pair I have from the early 60s. Wood is pretty plain, but actions are the Wingmaster with the silver spoon shell guide. I don't remember the exact dates but they may be first or second year of production. The 20ga is early enough it's on the same frame as the 12 and parts are very difficult to come by.

 

[RSIno1]

I bought mine in 1972. We had just had a daughter and I realized I needed a shotgun to clean when boys later came to date her. The wood appears to be a lighter straight grained wood stained to look like walnut. I bought it at Montgomery Wards. They may have had some deal or price break for cheaper wood. 2 3/4 shells and no vent rib.

 

[wolfsong]

I've got a 12 gauge marked 870 Wingmaster with vent rub barrel but curious (to me) wood.

The forearm is "corn cob" style and neither it or the butt stock have checkering. The wood is also a lighter color than other Wingmasters I own and not as glossy.

I got it from a man in his 80s who said he bought it new about 1970 and it dates to the late 60s. At that time, you suppose they had 2 different grades of wood? Any other thoughts?

My thoughts are that it's wearing inferior wood furniture and for the sake of your good reputation you should sell that ugly old thing to me.

 

[TRanger]

My Wingmaster slug gun has wood as you describe. It was made in 1980.

 

[rugerguy]

yes I recall those from back then , about the time we had our first shop, and the push was they made a regular grade, for the "houses" as noted above. Mont,Wards, Sears whomever and their thinking was along the lines of their rifles ADL and BDL , the latter were higher grade, nicer features, checkering, butt spacers, dark wood tips on the foreends,etc........I know their LE lines were more "standard" plain , put in the racks of the squad cars.....870s and High Standard Riot mdl 37s...plain janes, did the job!! 8) :roll: :wink:

 

[Dan in MI]

Is it a Wingmaster or a Sportsman 12? The Sportsman was the lower grade, cheap wood and bluing version.

 

[Mobuck]

Brother had an 870 bought new in 1964 that had that type of wood. I bought one in 1972 that had impressed checkering and a "urethane" finish.

 

[gunzo]

Some 60's model 870's came with a plain, uncheckered walnut stock that didn't seem to have the Dupont finish. Those had fully rounded "corn cob" type forearms.
Some police &/or slug guns of the late 70's, early 80's came with a similar butt stock, & the forearm was grooved instead of checkered making it appear like the corn cob but it was flared at the top just like the deluxe.

I've had the 60's style that I knew the year of mfr. at the time. And, I bought a new slug gun in 1980. I still have the plain butt stock that came on it.

 

[WAYNO]

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[hittman]

Thanks to all for the info. Looks like this one is their "standard grade" which I'd never seen before.

And Wolfsong if I get a hankerin' to turn it loose I'll give you a call!

 

[trebor44]

Standard Grade 870AP just like the one I have. But I do admit to changing the furniture to a Choate folder and synthetic forearm. Just need to add the barrel band for the light. Yeah it is an oldie!

 

[WAYNO]

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[hittman]

In about 1974 I was 15 and wanted one real bad. Never thought the folks would get me one or that I could afford it.

Then just before Christmas a local small town hardware store owner told us somebody had ordered his wife a 20 gauge IC, vent rib model and changed his mind so .... one was available in stock.

I was shocked when mom and step-dad said I could get it. I think it was in the $125 range at the time but don't recall for certain. I walked many a miles carrying that gun and it served me well.

 

[wolfsong]

Thanks to all for the info. Looks like this one is their "standard grade" which I'd never seen before.

And Wolfsong if I get a hankerin' to turn it loose I'll give you a call!

Hittman, please do! Solid, no-frills firearms are my cup of tea.