Welcome to immediately’s Photo of the Day! This 1946 Remington Mannequin 31 pump-action shotgun served with the Delaware State Police throughout a pivotal period in American legislation enforcement. Manufactured in June 1946 (as indicated by the “PRR” date code), it represents Remington’s premium pre-870 police providing that earned the nickname “the ball-bearing repeater” for its exceptionally easy motion. The Mannequin 31 was Remington’s reply to Winchester’s dominant Mannequin 12, that includes a streamlined receiver, twin motion bars, and a bottom-ejecting design that protected the motion from particles. This explicit instance has the hallmark police configuration: an 18½-inch barrel with improved cylinder choke (.008″ constriction) – splendid for legislation enforcement functions requiring managed patterns at typical engagement distances.
What makes the Mannequin 31 mechanically vital is its superior rotary bolt design that locked straight into the barrel extension – a function that contributed to its repute for reliability. Although commercially profitable with almost 200,000 items produced between 1931-1949, the Mannequin 31’s complicated machining necessities finally led to its alternative by the easier, cheaper Mannequin 870 in 1950. The clear “POLICE GUN – PROPERTY OF DELAWARE STATE POLICE” marking on the receiver firmly establishes this shotgun’s legislation enforcement heritage. It represents an enchanting interval in police tools historical past when departments have been transitioning from navy surplus to purpose-built firearms in the course of the post-WWII period. Regardless of its excellence, the Mannequin 31 lives considerably within the shadow of its successor, making documented departmental examples like this one notably essential artifacts of American firearms and legislation enforcement historical past.
“Delaware State Police Marked Remington Mannequin 31 Shotgun.” Rock Island Public sale Firm, https://www.rockislandauction.com/element/4094/1524/delaware-state-police-marked-remington-model-31-shotgun. Accessed 12 Might 2025.
Author | TheFirearmBlog
Author | AllOutdoor.com Instagram | sfsgunsmith Outdated soul, licensed gunsmith, revealed writer, avid firearm historical past learner, and appreciator of previous and distinctive weapons.
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