Birdseye Maple 870 Whats your opinion?

Capt'n Mil Coll · 07-12-2008, 08:55 AM

I met a guy selling a 870 that has beautiful light blonde birdseye maple butt and handguard. It is a regular 870 black park otherwise. He wants $450 for it and is not comming down in price at all. I cant get pics of it. But the wood is very nice. Think its worth it?

It looks close to this in color and grain.

samuel · 07-12-2008, 12:08 PM

It,s probably worth it,but I would make him throw some ammo in. sam.

texnmidwest · 07-12-2008, 12:33 PM

I could be wrong and if I am please some body correct me. I think what you are looking at is a Special Run Remington 870. Each year Remington make a special run of interesting firearms. Some of those are stocked in Maple. Very beautiful and quite collectible. Take a look at the Remington website. There is a tab for special runs.

For what it is I think it is priced OK. I personally am not a fan of the maple stocks but the wood is gorgeous! I just think they look out of place on a deep blued rifle or shotgun. I wonder how they would look on a stainless?

Moss500Bantam · 07-12-2008, 01:12 PM

If it has a parkerized look to the metal, it's probably an Express. nothing wrong with that, but i'd think something that was truly special would go on a Wingmaster. I would not pay over 75%-85% of what a new express cost off the shelf. Iv'e never seen special run Express models at much more than the regular retail.

http://www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-287-W.pdf

possibly an aftermarket stock
http://www.scattergunstocks.com/4sale.html

Asphalt Cowboy · 07-12-2008, 02:22 PM

Capt'n, the simplest would be to ask if it is indeed a factory run and request to see the Remington paperwork that proves it out. If it is factory then it is well worth the asking price.

If there's any chance it is a re-stock check the wood for any high/low spots. Birdseye is a real PITA to sand dead smooth and if not done by a true professional it will show.

Be it factory or a professional re-stock and you truly like it then your conscience should guide you on price. I have at least that much tied up in the wood set alone on my A5, but, , , it's what I wanted.

And, btw, you do realize how heavy a maple stocked shotgun can be to carry don't you?

squirrelbaster · 07-12-2008, 02:28 PM

around here 870s go for about $250 used, so to me it comes down to is that stock worth $200 to you.

nathangdad · 07-12-2008, 07:04 PM

not common to this gun. I have a weakness for beautiful wood and metal finish.

However, I know some will not agree with me.

07-12-2008, 08:55 AM	#1
Capt'n Mil Coll Military Rifle Collector Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Right behind you. -NRA Member- Posts: 2,255 Images: 10	Birdseye Maple 870 Whats your opinion? I met a guy selling a 870 that has beautiful light blonde birdseye maple butt and handguard. It is a regular 870 black park otherwise. He wants $450 for it and is not comming down in price at all. I cant get pics of it. But the wood is very nice. Think its worth it? It looks close to this in color and grain. __________________ Let's light this fuse and see what happens!

07-12-2008, 12:33 PM	#3
texnmidwest Listen to yur Inner Hippo Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,372	I could be wrong and if I am please some body correct me. I think what you are looking at is a Special Run Remington 870. Each year Remington make a special run of interesting firearms. Some of those are stocked in Maple. Very beautiful and quite collectible. Take a look at the Remington website. There is a tab for special runs. For what it is I think it is priced OK. I personally am not a fan of the maple stocks but the wood is gorgeous! I just think they look out of place on a deep blued rifle or shotgun. I wonder how they would look on a stainless? __________________ "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (If all else fails play dead)

07-12-2008, 01:12 PM	#4
Moss500Bantam Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 257	If it has a parkerized look to the metal, it's probably an Express. nothing wrong with that, but i'd think something that was truly special would go on a Wingmaster. I would not pay over 75%-85% of what a new express cost off the shelf. Iv'e never seen special run Express models at much more than the regular retail. http://www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/FNR/FNR-287-W.pdf possibly an aftermarket stock http://www.scattergunstocks.com/4sale.html __________________ I don't know how a PC works. I just know how to use it. I know how a gun works, and how to use it. Last edited by Moss500Bantam; 07-12-2008 at 01:14 PM.

07-12-2008, 02:22 PM	#5
Asphalt Cowboy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: A one horse town in E.Kansas. Posts: 304	Capt'n, the simplest would be to ask if it is indeed a factory run and request to see the Remington paperwork that proves it out. If it is factory then it is well worth the asking price. If there's any chance it is a re-stock check the wood for any high/low spots. Birdseye is a real PITA to sand dead smooth and if not done by a true professional it will show. Be it factory or a professional re-stock and you truly like it then your conscience should guide you on price. I have at least that much tied up in the wood set alone on my A5, but, , , it's what I wanted. And, btw, you do realize how heavy a maple stocked shotgun can be to carry don't you? __________________ Yes, I Ride A Motorcycle. I Have To, It's Cheaper Than A Shrink.

07-12-2008, 02:28 PM	#6
squirrelbaster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,235	around here 870s go for about $250 used, so to me it comes down to is that stock worth $200 to you. __________________ "My Shotgun SAYS I AM the POLICE !"--Mooseman684 "I like Turtles!" youtube kid

07-12-2008, 12:08 PM	#2
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	It,s probably worth it,but I would make him throw some ammo in. sam.

07-12-2008, 07:04 PM	#7
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,436	I would as it is a beautiful wood not common to this gun. I have a weakness for beautiful wood and metal finish. However, I know some will not agree with me.