870 Wingmaster question

[00Buck2]

I was cleaning and dug some of my 870’s out when I noticed this one stood out from the normal. I don’t remember where I got it but I remember putting the Remington extension tube on it. The odd thing I just realized is it marked “Wingmaster” but it’s rollmarked on the right side below the ejection port and it has a blued/blackened bolt like an express.

None of my other Wingmaster/Special Fields have a blued bolt except for my police magnum and express. None of my 870’s have any roll marks on the right side of the receiver except for this one.

I know there were over 10 million made but I thought a Remington collector could tell me if this is odd. Or maybe I’m just odd for noticing it.

Thanks for any info!

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

It could as simple as the factory assembler simply used a blued bolt either mistakenly or possible there was a shortage of polished bolts.

Another possibility...companies like Walmart, Sears, Monkey Wards, JC Penney and others could buy boatloads of shotguns and rifles from manufacturers but negotiated a lower cost for quantity purchase. In such cases it would not be unusual for the manufacturer to cut costs such as use cheaper wood in the stock or used a matte finished bolt in place of polished, thus saving labor time in order to maintain the same profit margin.

Many years ago the owner of a gun store told me that if you compared a Remington/Winchester/Savage or whatever brand rifle from a big box store and one from a gun store you'll see fewer quality control or proof marks on the one s from the big box store. The gun will be just as safe...just as accurate...but to keep contract costs down something is being given up such as stock material or finish polishing.

That makes as much sense was any other reason.

 

[Targets Guy]

I owned a Wingmaster when I lived in Idaho in 1969-1970. The only thing I remember about it was I wished I hadn't sold it.

 

[mauser9]

Interesting and Snidely could be well correct. I know Remington or Rem-Arms is again making the Wingmaster 870 again and the M.S.R.P. is around $900 with the old walnut and glossy bluing. The Fieldmaster 870 has walnut but matte finish for around $500.

 

[demkofour]

To confirm, I just went into the safe and checked my 870 Wingmaster- it was my first firearms purchase, around 1974. 30”, full choke vented rib barrel, beautiful high gloss wood. Here’s a couple of pictures of the receiver and it’s markings.
And yup, black bolt.

 

[2152hq]

I think the roll marking on the right side of the 870 recv'r under the port started around '87 / '88.

IIRC they marked the Wingmaster that way, but not the Express, Youth, Special Field or Special Purpose models.

The Youth models and the Special Purpose usually had black colored bolts. Black finish Hard Chrome.
Those were Models from yrs before '87.
I wasn't in to the stuff much at all and still aren't. But that's what I recall from being in and around the business.

Military and Police contracts usually demanded the muted finish bolts and other parts finishes.
I believe the 870's made as Waterfowl guns had them as well. Probably others.
Overrun black finished bolts from those could easily have been used up in regular Field grade production assembly at times.
Most people buying a garden variety 870 don't argue the finish on the bolt.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I'm of the firm opinion that you can never have too many 870s. Reliable, sturdy and affordable. That TB trap model at the top of this trio has been fired more than a few thousand times by me and still works perfectly.

John


(Click for larger image)