Went to the Northeast Side-by-Side at Hausemann's Hidden Hollow and came home with this old pump gun --





Looks like a typical Model 31 Skeet Gun --



except the barrel is marked IMP CYL not SKEET. The choke mics .009" not the typical .005" or .006" then a flare of the usual SKEET choked Remington barrel. Serial numbers match on the receiver, barrel, trigger group and butt stock.

Added bonus --



or not.

The Model 31!!! Now that is a true classic!!!

Interesting Army Ordanance mark

Great find-Congratulations! The model 31 is a great gun-I've had several.

Very nice. One of those guns that's never gotten the accolades it's always deserved. But those who know . . .

This is my seventh Model 31. Around these parts the Model 31TC "Target" Grades seem to be almost common, but the Model 31 Skeet Guns just aren't seen.

Is it true that the lightweight 31, with it's alloy receiver, is the lightest weight American pumpgun ever produced? Wasn't it bumping at 6# in 12 ga. and a 26" barrel?

SRH

My 12-gauge Model 31LA "Standard" Grade has probably the heaviest barrel they made, a 30-inch full choke with a solid rib, and the gun weighs a very muzzle heavy 6 pounds 10.2 ounces. I have a 20-gauge Model 31LA "Standard" Grade with a 26-inch barrel with a steel Cutts Compensator and it weighs 5 pounds 10 ounces.

Seems I've seen reports of the 31L weighing considerably less, but that was without the Cutts which probably adds weight in addition to a lot of racket.
My 1939 first year of production M37 in 20 gauge weighs slightly more at 5.75 lbs. It's hollowed out stock helps weight reduction.
Ithaca made some ultralights out of alloy receivers and mahogany stocks that may have come close to weighing less than the 31L, but I don't speak with any authority on that. Many consider the 31 to be the smoothest, slickest pump ever made--"like greased ball-bearings" when cycled. I've seen commentary that the 31 is the 17 but with side ejection, but I don't see the resemblance other than wood on one end and steel on the other. Nice find. Gil

From the info I've found the R.L.B. is the initials of Col. Roy L. Bowlin. Is that correct?

I still shoot my Dad's M31 for ducks. Was a 30" F, but I cut it to 28 and added a Briley Thinwall system so I could shoot steel. Wonderful gun. Would be one of the last I would sell.

Also have a 31L 20 gauge which is my wet weather grouse gun

As a kid my step up from a .410 single was a Rem model 31 20ga deluxe. I moved on from that gun but never really improved on it...Geo

Researcher - you are correct.
Col. Roy L. Bowlin, U.S. Army Inspector of Ordnance, Rochester Ordnance District, from August 1937 to June 1942.

I sold a very nice model 31 12 gauge skeet with factory vent rib last Saturday. Bobby

My 20 gauge 31L with a plain 28" barrel weighs in at 5 pounds 12 ounces. Delightful gun from 1947. Almost unfired original condition, paid $100 last year at a small local gun shop.

Is there a gunsmith who is versed in the Model 31 and has a few parts?

According to the old Remington factory ledger, the highest 12-gauge Model 31 serial number they had reached by 30 June 1942 was 40655, and this gun is 52215?