Help dating a 870 and shell question

[Angry_Mammoth]

Hello all, I could use some help dating my shotgun. I have a wingmaster 870 Magnum 12 gauge. I tried using the online date codes but can't seem to match them up. Mine has 3 letters on the barrel. It's stamped "ULG" and the serial number is 1076229M. Anyone have any idea what year it might be? It was my grandfather's so I know it's older, around the 60's.

Also it's stamped that it's chambered for 3" shells. Can I use 2 3/4 also or just 3 inch?

Lastly, would this be a good shotgun to use for trap? I know it has a full choke.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

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[Germansheperd]

Those are the wrong letters on the barrel. You want the letters close to the receiver on the barrel and yes you can run 2 3/4” shells through it.

[Angry_Mammoth]

Those are the wrong letters on the barrel. You want the letters close to the receiver on the barrel and yes you can run 2 3/4” shells through it.

They are close to the receiver. I tried to show in this pic that they are right at the flair. And I don't see any other letters stamped on the barrel.

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[Germansheperd]

February of 1971 on the barrel. What’s odd is there is no letter prefix on the serial number which would indicate a pre-68. Maybe gramps put a different barrel on sometime?

[Scorpion8]

Also to expand on what was posted above, yes your 3" receiver can handle either 2-3/4" or 3" shells, but not the 3-1/2" magnums. I have a similar receiver and it is designed to work with either shell in the 2-3/4 or 3 inch size. Enjoy!

[DGMUSNA76]

I'm new to this forum, and I was searching for something else when I found your inquiry. The "M" in the S/N means the receiver can eject properly a 3" shell; a "V" would have indicated 2 3/4" only unless the ejector was modified by a gunsmith. Ignore the "U" in the date code as I think that is some kind of proof or inspector's mark. I just today saw an older 870 today with a "U" before the date code. The remaining two letters "LG" mean the barrel was made in February of 1986.

[DGMUSNA76]

I'm new to this forum, and I was searching for something else when I found your inquiry. The "M" in the S/N means the receiver can eject properly a 3" shell; a "V" would have indicated 2 3/4" only unless the ejector was modified by a gunsmith. Ignore the "U" in the date code as I think that is some kind of proof or inspector's mark. I just today saw an older 870 today with a "U" before the date code. The remaining two letters "LG" mean the barrel was made in February of 1986.