Remington 11-48 Serial Number Lookup: Complete Date & Gauge Identification Guide (2026)

The Remington Model 11-48 is a milestone in American firearms engineering, representing the transition from pre-war machining methods to streamlined, modern manufacturing. Produced between 1949 and 1968, this recoil-operated semi-automatic shotgun remains highly sought after by collectors and vintage shooting enthusiasts. However, because Remington did not maintain a simple, sequential public database of serial numbers for this model, determining the exact manufacture date requires decyphering specific alphanumeric stamps on both the receiver and the barrel.

Note: The Remington Model 11-48 is mechanically distinct from its predecessor, the John Browning-designed Model 11, which features a prominent humped receiver, and its successor, the gas-operated Model 1100. This guide focuses exclusively on identifying and dating the streamlined, long-recoil Model 11-48.

Understanding how to read these markings is crucial for verifying historical authenticity, assessing collector value, and ordering correct replacement parts. This comprehensive guide details how to locate and analyze both receiver serial numbers and barrel date codes to pinpoint the history of your shotgun.

Where to Locate Markings on the Remington 11-48

To accurately perform a lookup, you must inspect two separate areas of the firearm. Remington stamped the official serial number on the receiver, while stamping the assembly date code on the barrel.

Receiver Serial Number Location

The official serial number is stamped on the left side of the receiver, near the bottom edge and directly above the trigger guard assembly. This number consists of a series of digits, occasionally accompanied by a prefix, and almost always ending in a letter suffix. This suffix is critical because it identifies the original gauge of the receiver.

Barrel Date Code Location

The actual assembly month and year are stamped on the left side of the barrel, approximately one inch forward of the receiver joint. These markings are typically composed of two or three small letters, which are entirely separate from any patent markings or proof marks. You may need to clean away old oil, carbon buildup, or surface corrosion with a fine brass brush and gun solvent to make these faint stamps visible.

Deciphering the Remington Barrel Date Code System

While the receiver serial number is the legal identifier of the firearm, Remington used a proprietary barrel code system to track the exact month and year of manufacture. Because receivers were often manufactured in batches and stored before final assembly, the barrel date code is generally considered the most accurate indicator of when the shotgun was completed and shipped.

The date code consists of a month letter followed by a year letter (or letters).

The Month Code (BLACKPOWDERX)

Remington utilized the cipher word BLACKPOWDERX to designate the twelve months of the calendar year. Each letter in this word corresponds directly to a month:

The Year Code (1949–1968)

Because the Remington 11-48 was only produced from 1949 to 1968, you only need to cross-reference the year letters assigned to this specific two-decade window:

Using this system, a Remington 11-48 barrel stamped with EX indicates an assembly date of October (E) in 1952 (XX). A barrel stamped with AP indicates an assembly date of March (A) in 1968 (P), the final year of production.

Decoding Receiver Suffixes and Shotgun Gauges

The letter at the absolute end of your receiver serial number denotes the gauge for which the receiver was milled. This is highly important for collectors verifying that a firearm has not been unsafely modified or built using mismatched parts.

If you own an 11-48 with a serial number ending in V, but it currently has a 16-gauge barrel installed, the gun has been modified or repaired with non-matching components. This is a crucial inspection step when evaluating a vintage firearm's originality and market value in 2026.

Step-by-Step Verification Guide

Follow this structural workflow to properly evaluate and document your vintage shotgun:

1. Clear and Secure the Firearm Open the action, inspect the chamber and magazine tube, and ensure the firearm is completely unloaded before handling it for inspection.

2. Record the Receiver Serial Number Locate the stamped number on the left side of the receiver. Write down the numerical sequence and the trailing letter suffix (such as V, W, or X) to establish the frame's factory gauge.

3. Locate and Decode the Barrel Code Inspect the left side of the barrel near the receiver. Identify the two-letter or three-letter sequence. Use the BLACKPOWDERX table to find the month, and match the year letter against the 1949–1968 production chart.

4. Verify Barrel Originality Compare the barrel's actual chamber dimension (stamped on the barrel) with the receiver's serial suffix code. If they match, and the wear patterns on the metal finishes align smoothly, the barrel is highly likely original to the gun.

Comparing Receiver Serial Numbers vs. Barrel Codes

Understanding the interplay between the receiver and the barrel is essential when analyzing classic Remington firearms.

Crucial Warning on Swapped Barrels

Because the Remington 11-48 features a quick-take-down barrel design, barrels were frequently swapped by owners seeking different chokes, barrel lengths, or replacement parts over the last several decades. If a previous owner swapped the barrel, the barrel date code will reflect the age of the replacement barrel, not the receiver.

Always inspect the overall wear, bluing match, and fitment. If the barrel date code indicates a production year of 1965, but the receiver serial number falls into a sequence known to be from 1950, the barrel is a later replacement.

Troubleshooting Missing or Obscured Markings

It is not uncommon to encounter a Remington 11-48 with markings that are difficult to read. Decades of field use, storage in humid environments, or amateur restoration projects can obscure these historical identifiers.

• Refinishing and Re-bluing: If the shotgun was refinished or re-blued in the past, the chemical polishing process may have buffed down the metal, making the faint barrel codes nearly invisible. Use a magnifying glass under strong, angled LED lighting to detect the faint impressions of the stamps.
• Replacement Barrels with No Date Codes: Some aftermarket replacement barrels manufactured by third-party companies do not feature Remington's proprietary date codes. If your barrel lacks these stamps entirely, you must rely on the receiver's serial range or contact historical archives for assistance.
• Analyzing Factory Repair Marks: If a firearm was returned to the Remington factory for repair or barrel replacement, you may find an additional stamp on the right side of the barrel. Stamped letters such as "3" or "RE" indicate a factory service record, which can sometimes complicate standard date lookups.

Frequently Asked Questions

What year was my Remington 11-48 manufactured?

Your Remington 11-48 was manufactured between 1949 and 1968. To find the exact year and month of manufacture, locate the two-letter code stamped on the left side of the barrel near the receiver and cross-reference it with the BLACKPOWDERX date code chart.

Can I look up my Remington 11-48 serial number online?

There is no official, automated online database provided by Remington to look up historical 11-48 serial numbers. Instead, collectors must manually decode the physical alphanumeric stamps on the barrel and receiver using historical factory production tables.

How do I know if my Remington 11-48 barrel is original?

An original barrel will have a chamber gauge matching the suffix letter on the receiver serial number (such as "V" for 12-gauge). Additionally, the wear patterns, bluing color, and fitment should match the receiver seamlessly, and the date code should align logically with the receiver's estimated production period.

What is the value of a Remington 11-48 in 2026?

The market value of a Remington 11-48 in 2026 ranges from $350 for standard, well-used utility models to over $1,200 for rare variants. The highly sought-after .410 bore (Y suffix) and 28-gauge (J suffix) models in pristine, original condition command the highest collector premiums.

What is the difference between a Remington Model 11 and a Model 11-48?

The Remington Model 11 is built on the Browning Auto-5 design, featuring a distinct, squared-off "humpback" receiver and a heavy steel construction. The Model 11-48 features a streamlined, rounded receiver made of lighter materials and utilizing a simplified internal mechanism that paved the way for modern Remington semi-automatics.

Preserving Your Vintage Remington Shotgun

Properly identifying your Remington 11-48 is only the first step in preserving its legacy. For shooters using these classic long-recoil shotguns, maintaining the friction ring and recoil spring system is vital to preventing receiver damage. Ensure that the internal friction piece is adjusted correctly for high-brass or low-brass loads according to original factory specifications. Keeping the metal surfaces treated with high-quality gun oil will preserve the historic stamps, ensuring that future generations can easily read and appreciate the history of these exceptional firearms.