Make: Remington

Model: 31 Special Police, Delaware State Police

Serial Number: 74638

Year of Manufacture: June 1946 (PRR Date Code)

Gauge: 12 Gauge 2 ¾” Shells

Action Type: Pump Action Shotgun with Tubular Magazine

Markings: The left side of the receiver is marked “Remington / REG. US. PAT OFF. / MODEL 31 / 74638”. The left side of the barrel is marked “12 GA. FOR 2 3/4 OR SHORTER SHELLS”, “74638”, and with a “PRR” date code and an “anchor” inspection mark. The top of the barrel is marked “REMINGTON ARMS CO., INC., ILION, N.Y. MADE IN U.S.A. PATS 1,763,665 / 1,763,714 – 1,786,213 – 1,834,410 – 2,023,929 – 2,039,814 OTHERS PENDING”. The right side of the barrel is stamped “REP” in an oval and with a “clover” inspection mark. The left front bow of the trigger guard is marked with an inspection mark. The right of the receiver is marked "POLICE GUN - PROPERTY OF DELAWARE STATE POLICE". The bottom of the grip is stamped "3" and "M".

Barrel Length: 18 1/2”

Choke: Fixed Improved Cylinder

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a brass bead set on the barrel at the muzzle. The top of the receiver has a raised sighting plane with serrations for glare reduction.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece walnut with a grooved slide handle, pistol grip, straight comb, sling eyelet in the belly (there is another eyelet mounted to the front of the magazine bracket), and checkered steel buttplate. The stocks have scattered nicks, scuffs and scratches, most notable in the buttstock. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has light wear, mostly around the edges, with well defined checkering. Overall, the stocks are in Very Good condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright. There is no erosion in the bore. In this writer's opinion, the bore rates a 10 out of 10.

Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 92% of its metal finish. The balance is mostly in scattered spots of minor surface oxidation and light operational wear. There are a few light nicks and scratches. The screw heads are sharp, the pinheads have minor finish wear but no peening. The markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun rates in Very Good Plus condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all previously owned firearms, thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: In 1938, Remington introduced a new line of guns aimed at the law enforcement market, consisting of the Model 11, Model 81, and Model 31, which had slightly different features compared to the standard offerings, such as the 18 1/2″ barrel on the Special Police Models 11 and 31 as opposed to the 20″ barrel on the Riot Models. Remington roll marked the receivers “POLICE GUN – PROPERTY OF”, and the purchaser could pay to have their department’s name engraved. These guns were expensive due to their high quality and specialized design, and as a result, sales were low and only a small number were made. Many police departments opted for the cheaper Riot Models or even standard models. There are not many known to exist, and this is among the few Remington Model 31 Special Police shotguns we have ever been able to offer for sale. The Model 31 was designed to compete against Winchester’s Model 12, and its action is extremely smooth, so smooth in fact it was called the pump with “the ball bearing action” (although there weren’t really any ball bearings). Some claim the Model 31 has the smoothest action ever designed. Produced from 1931-1949, some 200,000 of the Model 31 were made before it was replaced by the less expensive Model 870. This is a tremendously rare Vintage 1940s Remington Model 31 Special Police “Delaware State Police” Engraved Pump Action Shotgun. It features an 18.5” barrel, 92% of its crisp, original blued finish, elegant two-piece walnut stocks with a grooved slide handle, strong mechanics, and a bright bore with no erosion. This is a wonderful example of a scarce shotgun from “The First State”.