Pictures first, now the story. So recently I traded away my beautiful Remington Model 8 (1917):
For an even more beautiful Whitney Wolverine:
However, I could not live with myself if I lacked my favorite rifle of all time.
Immediately afterwards I went to one of my local Cabela's in the hopes of replacing my recently traded firearm.
I had gone about a week ago and noticed a whopping 5 Remington Model 8/81's on the used gun racks, ranging in price from $279 to $659.
I crossed my fingers they were still there.
Upon arriving at the store, I noticed right away there were only two Model 8's, one for $279 and one for $425, and the only Model 81, $659, remaining.
I was initially bummed out because the Model 8 I wanted to buy for $320 had been sold - it was a .35 Rem in great shape, made in 1930.
I begrudgingly picked up what I considered to be the "beater" of the bunch, the $279 what-I-thought-to-be Model 8, also in .35 Rem, thinking I could fix it up (my favorite hobby).
Standing in line for processing and checkout, I take another look at the gun and am taken aback.
The serial number is low...way low...like 1565 low...
Knowing that there were over 80,000 Model 8's made, I guessed it had to be a first or second year gun.
Lo and behold, upon checking the site, I realize I had blindly fallen onto a first-year run of my all-time favorite rifle.
And I purchase it without a second thought for a mere $300!
Nearly bursting with joy, I rush it home after some range time and spend a solid 4 hours cleaning and fixing her up.
Needless to say, life is good.
I also ordered and received the Model 8 book from Amazon, so I can share some more in-depth features of my RAL:
* Hard rubber buttplate, "Remington Arms Co." variation.
* The most common forend screw/sling swivel combo.
* No side springs on the magazine.
* First type of safety lever, with no "SAFE" engraved on the receiver.
* Hand-engraved "35 REM." on barrel jacket.
* First style manufacturer's legend on barrel jacket.
* Markings: "Circled J", 1565 (serial number), "S", and "Circled J" (on trigger plate).
* Marbles rear peep sight and front sight. Unmarked rear tang sight.
* Also, the buttstock doesn't seem to fit perfectly with the receiver and trigger housing - they have about 2-3mm's of overhang. Any ideas?
* Additionally, it looks like I may have repair codes, located on the left-hand side of the barrel jacket, between the top of the forend and the hand-engraved "35 REM.". The code(s) appear to be "D", "L", and "3", but this does not match up with any repair dates I saw in the book - any advice/thoughts?
