https://thegreatmodel8.net/

Welcome to the affliction - make room for more.

Indeed an early first year rifle - 2266 made in 1906! Many here take the rifle down before shooting (not a bad thing for sure). Others of us check for function, as you have done, then go out and shoot it. The good news, rarely is the barrel spring an issue - even rusted with crud around it! (Plus it is a bit of a pain to remove!) IMHO if it functions and you can manually make it completely recoil and the exposed part of the barrel looks good, I'd shoot it - that's just me.

And, there are many here that will accuse me of saying, "This thread is useless without pictures." (To that, I stand guilty as charged!)

Welcome aboard, sounds like you have a real early M-8. Does it have the caliber marking engraved on the top of the barrel extension? It should be in that vintage of rifle.I've not been successful yet in posting pics. To the forum but i'm still trying. I do have the ability to get replacement buttplates with the early Remington arms Co. Logo that are curved. Please e-mail me for info. Thanks for your time,
Roger

Welcome N7kme....we were all new guys at one time to this hobby and forum. Or, as Mitch says, "affliction". The only cure for collecting these great rifles, is an empty bank account, or threats of being banished to the couch every night.

Hope you enjoy your rifle and the forum.

Ps: One of my Model 8, 30 Rem was mfg. in 1907.

Clint