Wayne Newton’s Gino Cargnell & Angelo Bee Engraved Remington Model 31, MFD 1947 C&R
SOLD FOR: $10,001.01
LSB#: 200605GB26
Make: Remington
Model: 31S Trap Special
Serial Number: 81329
Year of Manufacture: 1948 (KTT Barrel Date Code)
Gauge: 12 Gauge, 2 3/4″
Action Type: Pump / Slide Action, Tube Magazine Fed Shotgun.
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “REMINGTON ARMS CO. INC., ILION, N.Y. MADE IN U.S.A.” with patent dates, “12GA FOR 2 3/4 OR SHORTER SHELLS”, “KTT” date code and inspector marks. The right of the barrel is marked with “REP” in oval and an inspector mark. The bottom-front of the receiver is marked “LAS VEGAS / 99885 / inc. BY Gino M.C. A.Bee”. The receiver has extensive gold and silver engraving with showgirls, dice, roulette wheel, slot machine, card shoe with a royal flush in hearts, and Wayne Newton singing. The engraving has gold borders with stars and dollar sign motif. There are silver and gold showgirls to each side of the rib at the rear and gold star motif border at the muzzle.
Barrel Length: 30”, Vent-Rib
Choke: Full, Fixed
Sights / Optics: There is a silver-colored bead at the front of the rib and a smaller mid-bead. The top of the rib and receiver are serrated for glare reduction.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered select walnut with extended slide handle, capped pistol grip, monte-carlo comb, and ventilated orange rubber Remington recoil pad. The stocks have a few scattered light nicks and scuffs, a cluster of compressions in the belly about 3″ from the toe and a tiny crack at the rear edge of the stock on the left near the heel. The checkering is sharp. The LOP measures approximately 14 1/2″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the pad, 13 1/2″ to the back of the wood. The pad has hardened slightly with age and shows light wear and minor discoloration. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Refinished at the time of engraving.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 97% of its metal finish. The action shows minor operational wear. There is some minor discoloration in the silver of the engraving. Otherwise, there are only light handling marks. The pin heads are unmarred. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in about Fine-plus condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This shotgun comes with a red Wayne Newton Caesars Palace brochure which we believe to be from 1983 based on the dates for Diana Ross’ performance. The inside of the cover in the front is signed “To JB / Hope you enjoy my / Remington as much / as I did! / Wayne / Newton” in glitter pen, the inside of the cover in the rear is signed “Keeper / of my winner / Wayne / Newton” in gold pen. The brochure has minor wear, in about Fine condition.
Our Assessment: This is a neat vintage Remington Model 31. A predecessor to the now famous Model 870, this shotgun was originally produced in 1947 but has since become something rather special. This shotgun was chosen to be upgraded and engraved for Mr. Las Vegas himself, famed singer and entertainer Wayne Newton. The engraving was performed by master engravers Gino Cargnell and Angelo Bee, both former FN/Browning engravers and the work is an oustanding tribute to The Midnight Idol with showgirls, games and Mr. Newton himself appearing, everything that people love about Las Vegas. Previously sold at public auction in 2008, 2011 and 2013, the shotgun also comes with a Caesars Palace brochure signed by Wayne Newton. We did come across an online listing for the gun which indicates that this shotgun was made for a celebrity shooting television program, though we could not find another reference to the program. This may explain the “Keeper of my winner” note in the rear of the brochure, as the listing referenced Mr. Entertainment being one of the show’s longest running winners next to Robert Stack. Whether you’re a fan of Wayne Newton, Sin City, or can just appreciate a beautiful work of art, this is a fine shotgun to add to any collection. Please see our photos and good luck!