POTD: Remington Model 31 – “The Lawman’s Smooth Hammer”
Sam.S 05.20.25
Welcome to today’s Photo of the Day! This 1946 Remington Model 31 pump-action shotgun served with the Delaware State Police during a pivotal era in American law enforcement. Manufactured in June 1946 (as indicated by the “PRR” date code), it represents Remington’s premium pre-870 police offering that earned the nickname “the ball-bearing repeater” for its exceptionally smooth action. The Model 31 was Remington’s answer to Winchester’s dominant Model 12, featuring a streamlined receiver, dual action bars, and a bottom-ejecting design that protected the action from debris. This particular example has the hallmark police configuration: an 18½-inch barrel with improved cylinder choke (.008″ constriction) – ideal for law enforcement applications requiring controlled patterns at typical engagement distances.
What makes the Model 31 mechanically significant is its advanced rotary bolt design that locked directly into the barrel extension – a feature that contributed to its reputation for reliability. Though commercially successful with nearly 200,000 units produced between 1931-1949, the Model 31’s complex machining requirements ultimately led to its replacement by the simpler, more cost-effective Model 870 in 1950. The clear “POLICE GUN – PROPERTY OF DELAWARE STATE POLICE” marking on the receiver firmly establishes this shotgun’s law enforcement heritage. It represents a fascinating period in police equipment history when departments were transitioning from military surplus to purpose-built firearms during the post-WWII era. Despite its excellence, the Model 31 lives somewhat in the shadow of its successor, making documented departmental examples like this one particularly important artifacts of American firearms and law enforcement history.
“Delaware State Police Marked Remington Model 31 Shotgun.” Rock Island Auction Company, https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4094/1524/delaware-state-police-marked-remington-model-31-shotgun. Accessed 12 May 2025.
