Shotgun Irony

I came across this old Remington ad on the back cover of an American Rifleman magazine from 1932. (if you click on the pic, it should give you a larger view)

Isn't it ironic that the Granddaddy of the K80 -- the Remington Model 32 -- was originally advertised as a way to avoid paying premium prices for European shotguns?

In any case, I thought it was a cool ad. It was probably quite expensive to print a full-page ad in color back then. It must have been tough selling new Over-Unders during the depression era. Also note the part about the new floating barrels concept and the ruler-pointing analogy used in an attempt to convert the throngs of side-by-side loyalists to O/U guns. I still say my Ithaca Flues SxS points better than these newfangled, unproven things! LOL.

-Gary

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That is a neat add. Bigtime !!!!!!!!!!

 

Wonder what the retail price was at that time? I do remember my father purchased the Browning lightning trap that I still shoot doubles with in 1969 for $325 from the hardware store. Cool thing is that I have the lifetime warranty in my name even though I was only 14 when I received the gun. But the only things the gun has ever needed were a bottom firing pin and the receiver tightened which were both taken care of at the Grand back in the 90's so free hasn't really saved a boatload of cash. Got to believe that gun has to be the best bargain in trapshooting that I know of. BTW, neat to see the double triggers in the picture, would think they are sort or rare today.

 

Good catch on the double triggers, TF1. The single/selective became standard six years later.

Here's a little more history on the 32:

http://www.nramuseum.org/guns/the-g...merican-sporting-arms/remington-model-32.aspx

-Gary

 

TF1:

I was wondering that too. I couldn't find the original 1932 price but did find the following info on the Remington Society website:

The first catalogue I have that shows the No. 32 is the undated pocket catalogue of about 1932 or 3, pre DuPont. It shows the double trigger No. 32A with 30-inch plain barrels as standard and 28- or 32-inch barrels to order. The double triggered No. 32 TC "Target" grade had 28-, 30- or 32-inch vent rib barrels. The third offering was the No. 32S "Trap Special" grade with 28-, 30-, or 32-inch solid rib barrels. This catalogue states "Eventually we will have a single trigger for these guns but for the time being double triggers will be supplied. Later the single trigger can be fitted at a moderate extra charge."

According to the 1938 Dealer's Price List the No. 32A "Standard" Grade had a wholesale price of $100.80 and a retail price of $126. A raised solid rib was $6/$8. Extra barrels were $52.50/$60. The choice of barrel lengths was 26-, 28-, or 30-inch with choice of boring -- full, modified, improved cylinder or cylinder. Higher grades were the No. 32D "Tournament" grade for $232.50/$276.50; No. 32E "Expert" grade for $276.25/$326.50; and the No. 32F "Premier" grade for $350.60/$411.50. Grip style and stock dimensions to order on the higher grades, $13.10/$15.00 extra on the No. 32A.

The Trap gun was the No. 32TC "Target" grade for $123.35/$154.90 with 30- or 32-inch vent rib barrels. An extra set of vent rib barrels for the No. 32TC was $67.80/$80.40.

The No. 32 "Skeet" grade came with 26- or 28-inch barrels with "Remington Special Skeet boring." With a plain barrel $103.40/$129; with solid rib barrels $109.40/$137; and with vent rib barrels $118.70/$149.40.

All the No. 32s were offered in 12-gauge only. The only gun that regularly came with a pad was the No. 32TC, which is shown with a Hawkins with the heart-shaped holes. A recoil pad was $4.65/$5.50 extra on any Remington gun.

The No. 32 offerings in 1939 were the same, and by January 2, 1942, the offerings were still the same but prices were up sharply. In the 1947 catalogue the No. 32s are pictured but overstamped "Not Available in 1947."

FYI, $126 in 1938 equates to about $2150 in 2015.

-Gary

 

I always thought it is neat to look through old magazines.

 

Gary, very interesting material on the K guns grandfather you've dug up! Thanks!

HAP

 

Check out this video of a gorgeous engraved model for skeet.

As a bonus, you will also finally learn how to pronounce the name "Fjestad"! (an even more exclusive club than people who knows how to pronounce "Porsche").

http://www.gunsandammo.com/video/remington-model-shotgun/

-Gary

 

Now that is a work of art.

 

The Remington Model 32 is my second favorite shotgun. Here is another old Remington ad from the period.
Doug Allison

 

Here is the only one I own currently.
Doug Allison

 

Very cool, Doug.

Is it just me, or were gun ads about 10-times more interesting back then compared to what we see now? Same with ammo boxes.

-Gary

 

Still wish there was a date for this catalog

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Credit to Barrelbulge

 

Here is another Model 32 ad said to be from Christmas 1935. Note the Model 32 is under a $100.

GW22 I think these old ads seem more interesting because they take us back in time. The pics are not high resolution, but more like art. The words have an eloquence to them and tell a story. The ads today have large pics to get your attention and if you want "words" you can go to the listed website instantly.

Doug Allison

 

Wow, what a cool add.

BTW, in case anyone hasn't seen this old Remington factory "One At A Time" video from 1969, it's worth watching: