Make: Remington Arms Co.

Model: 1889, Grade 2

Serial Number: 86459

Year of Manufacture: 1898

Gauge: 12 GA, 2 5/8" Shells

Action Type: Top Lever Opening Sidelock External Hammer Double Barreled Shotgun

Barrel Length: 30"

Choke: Both Fixed Full

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a bead fixed to the rib near the muzzle. The top of the rib is serrated for glare reduction.

Weight: 7 lb., 10.5 oz.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut. The splinter forend has an ebony insert at the nose and casehardened iron and latch. The buttstock has a semi-pistol grip, straight comb and checkered hard rubber RACo. monogram buttplate. The stocks have some scattered light nicks and scratches, but no notable damage. The checkering is well defined. The LOP measures 14" and 13 1/8" from the fronts of the triggers to the back of the buttplate. Drop at comb is approximately 1 3/4", drop at heel 3". The buttplate has minor wear with well-defined checkering and lettering. Overall, the stocks are in about Excellent condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Case Color and Browned Fine Twist

Finish Originality: Original, numbers match.

Bore Condition: The bores are mostly bright. There is some stubborn fouling, a little minor erosion and infrequent minor pitting in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bores rate 7-8/10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 87% of its metal finish. The finish is generally strong throughout. The balance is mostly in some scattered minor oxidation and infrequent erosion. There is a little muting in the case color, most notable in the bottom tang. The action shows light operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in about Excellent condition as Antique.

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: None.

Our Assessment: E. Remington and Sons was established in 1816 and produced mostly firearms, though they had forays into other implements, the most successful of which was their typewriter. The typewriter design was sold in 1886 when they hit a rough patch financially, but it was not enough to save the company, in 1888 the company was bought by Hartley and Graham and the Remington Arms Company was formed. One of the first changes made was a redesign of the Model 1887 shotgun, making the Model 1889. It is a testament to the new model that it continued from serial range of the 1887 at about 30,000 to over 100,000 then shifting to 200,000 with a total of about 134,200 Model 1889s made. The guns were made in seven grades with different barrel materials, levels of engraving and frame sizes for 10 gauge, 10/12 gauge and 16 gauge guns.

This is a 12 gauge Grade 2 produced ca. 1898 and is in quite outstanding condition given its age of nearly 130 years. It still has strong mechanics with a solid lockup, a testament to Remington's quality. No Remington collection is really complete without examples of all of the double shotguns they produced in the late 19th and early 20th century, and this 1889 would make a great addition to even an advanced collection. Please see our photos and good luck!