Looking at a Model 81, number hand etched on top?

[MagFednRaised]

Hi all!

The rifle is in great shape, is the base model 81 in .35.

On top of the receiver, there is a number scratched in, which is "#28" (written with the number symbol before the 28).

Any ideas? Was this possibly a police used rifle with a catalog number?

[Phyrbird]

Pics would help. Typically not but perhaps.

[MagFednRaised]

Sure, here it is! And also, I can quite make out the marks to figure out mfr date...

[81police]

It is possible the rifle was a LE department issue of some sort. Without documentation, however, not verifiable.

[MagFednRaised]

I figured as much

Not that the base level is a super rare bird, but does the etching hurt the value much?

[81police]

Without documentation on provenance, the etching (in my opinion) hurts the value to the purest collector. To the person looking to purchase a shooter, probably a non issue. You never know though, sometimes a person's curiosity alone to the rifle's history can bolster value.