Ohio State Highway Patrol Remington Model 870 Wingmaster 12 GA 20″ Shotgun
SOLD FOR: $3825
LSB#: 211003BB43
Make: Remington
Model: 870 Wingmaster, Ohio State Highway Patrol
Serial Number: S428128V
Year of Manufacture: 1971 (OU Date Code)
Caliber: 12 Ga. 2 ¾” or Shorter Shells
Action Type: Magazine Tube Fed Pump Action Shotgun
Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “*12 GA. FOR 2 3/4 OR SHORTER SHELLS”, with an inspection mark, and “OU N”. The left side of the receiver is marked “Remington” over the serial number followed by a bullseye and “Wingmaster / model 870 / M”. The left side of the receiver is also marked with an Ohio State Highway Patrol crest. The right side of the barrel is marked with a warning above “REMINGTON ARMS CO. INC., ILION, N.Y. MADE IN U.S.A.” above patent numbers and also has magnaflux, proof, and test marks. The right side of the folding stock is marked “FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT USE ONLY”. The bottom of the forend has a little plaque marked “226”.
Barrel Length: 20″
Choke: Fixed Improved Cylinder
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed into a serrated ramped base fixed to the barrel at the muzzle. The rear sight is a “U” notch rifle sight on an elevation ramp fixed to the barrel.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The shotgun has a folding metal Remington buttstock with checkered black plastic pistol grip and grooved wood forend with finger grooves. The metal components of the stock have some scattered little nicks, scuffs, hairline scratches, thinning, and areas of light surface frost. The black plastic pistol grip has cracks on both sides where it meets the receiver, the larger crack is on the right side. There are some scattered little nicks, scuffs, and light compressions on the pistol grip but the checkering is mostly strong. The wood has some scattered light handling marks. There are a few scatered faint compressions and one or two faint scratches that have colored with age. The LOP measures 13 3/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the butt. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Parkerized
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with no erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 93% of its metal finish. The barrel has a few scattered scuffs and rubs that have lightly thinned the finish. The magazine tube has some scuffs and there is standard operational wear. The extended magazine tube has some bubbled finish on the right side at the front. The receiver has some scattered scuffs, some have caused smooth spots and others have lightly thinned the finish. There is some discoloraiton on the right side of the receiver behind the ejection port. There is some finish loss and thinning on the edges. There are a few scattered light handling marks. The trigger guard has thinning. There is standard operational wear. The pins are unmarred. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Very Good-Fine condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The capacity is 7+1. We did not fire this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
Box, Paperwork & Accessories: Also included with this shotgun is a Def-Tec (Defense Technologies) mount for holding this shotgun in a squad-car (no squad-car included!). Photos will be added to the listing.
Our Assessment: Remington had always wanted to best the Winchester Model 12, and when they realized it could not be done with the bottom ejecting Model 17, they introduced the Model 31. The Model 31 was made from 1931 to 1949 and was Remington’s first-ever side-ejecting shotgun. It did well, but it too was not up to the task of beating the Model 12. With less than 200,000 produced of all gauges combined, the Model 31 would soon be discontinued, but elements of its design would be carried on to a new shotgun that would become one of the most popular guns ever made. In 1950, Remington introduced their new modern, streamlined, rugged, reliable, and relatively inexpensive shotgun – the 870. They reached two million guns by 1973 (ten times the number of Model 31 shotguns it replaced). As of 1983, the 870 held the record for the best-selling shotgun in history with three million sold. They have been used by militaries, police departments, and sportsmen all over the world. This one was issued to the Ohio State Highway Patrol and has a parkerized finish, 20″ barrel with rifle sights, extended magazine tube, and a Remington folding stock. This is a rugged shotgun built for business and would be a great addition to a collection of police guns. Please see our photos and good luck!