I inherited a nice 1930 Model 8 in .35 Rem (along with reloading dies, bullets, cases and a few rounds)
It came to me a mixture of a gorgeous patina over 75% of it...and the other 25% had been hokey cold blued and all those areas were rusty and looked terrible. Unfortunately it was not localized, and was random all over.
Took it to the range and fired off a few of the 1960 Remington ammo. Worked like a dream and I fell in love.
That was over a year ago. I've since put a few boxes of ammo through it, and love it so much, I decided to try and restore it (it was not collectible, believe me, was spotted like a cow)
I found the info, took it apart, removed all of the rust (so I thought), and left it raw steel, put it back together and was pleased that I put the pieces back correctly and the gun fires as well as it did (well, except for I installed the ammo cilp in a c-hair too high and the receiver rubbed on it a bit, fixed now)
So now I have this re-tuned, well oiled, raw steel rifle that I love to use and need to get re-blued.
You will all be relieved at this point I'm sure, to learn that I've decided to send it out to a professional re-bluing shop, East Coast Bluing, and have them re-blue it.
I'm currently leaning towards rust bluing as I think it will give the gun the best look, but I'd be interested to hear what the Model 8/81 fans think about rust-bluing vs. hot bluing on a Model 8 restoration?
I'll certainly post up some pics once I get it back
My Model 8 is going to the hospital, but in a good way
Re: My Model 8 is going to the hospital, but in a good way
Hey VTRem35! Welcome aboard by the way 
I have to say I share your fondness of the looks and enjoyment of shooting the Model 8 (obviously!).
Most members would tell you here that a classic slow rust blue would be preferable to a hot caustic blue. I know cold blue and hot blue can come out looking great, but so many you see on redone Model 8's is that high glossy look, sometimes almost black too. If you need decent photos of the rich original blue on a Model 8 let me know and I can send you some. A couple of additional ideas on all this. Original Model 8's had the bolt carrier, operating handle, and barrel (inside the jacket) left in the white. A common "error" in refinishing/restoration of these guns is so often the operating handle is blued and that is a pet peeve to the purist! But, guns are the property of their owners, and as long as they're happy with it who can argue!
I hope the process goes well, please share some before and after pictures with us here
I have to say I share your fondness of the looks and enjoyment of shooting the Model 8 (obviously!).
Most members would tell you here that a classic slow rust blue would be preferable to a hot caustic blue. I know cold blue and hot blue can come out looking great, but so many you see on redone Model 8's is that high glossy look, sometimes almost black too. If you need decent photos of the rich original blue on a Model 8 let me know and I can send you some. A couple of additional ideas on all this. Original Model 8's had the bolt carrier, operating handle, and barrel (inside the jacket) left in the white. A common "error" in refinishing/restoration of these guns is so often the operating handle is blued and that is a pet peeve to the purist! But, guns are the property of their owners, and as long as they're happy with it who can argue!
I hope the process goes well, please share some before and after pictures with us here
Cam Woodall
Site Owner / Administrator
Site Owner / Administrator
Re: My Model 8 is going to the hospital, but in a good way
Thanks Cam, I had pretty much decided on the slow rust bluing and this settles it. Matt from ECBluing sounds like he'll take his time with the rust bluing and the few pics I've seen of ECBluing rust bluing jobs look really good.
Once I get it back, I'll get the sights worked out and get some rounds put through it this summer, and it will be my hunting rifle this year, my first ever rifle hunt for deer.
I also intend to send the rifle to a gunsmith after rifle season, for a complete cleaning and lube and maybe even replace any weak springs. (I might have a malfunctioning spring in the front of the carrier(?) the hourglassed shaped piece that spins is loose and when the barrel is removed, the piece can slide back. To put my barrel back on, I need to hold the front of the receiver down so the piece rotates and comes forward)
I like the .35 so much, I'm going to get some reloading gear, maybe even begin casting bullets, and furthermore, I'm going to get a Marlin 336 in .35 Rem so I have a gun to test my loads with and to have a hunting rifle to use when it's awful weather.
I wish I had discovered these guns 10 years ago, I'd own a whole lot of them, but the price is going up fast in the last few years. I still have hopes of being able to find one that lives in someones closet here in VT. Many people in these parts recognize my Model 8 as the same as their dad or grandpa used to hunt with, so I'm sure there are still quite a few laying low.
Once I get the Model 8 back, I intend to take a video of shooting it, as I know I enjoy seeing the videos of people shooting their Model 8/81's. and I also think we need more videos online of people shooting their Model 8/81's
Once I get it back, I'll get the sights worked out and get some rounds put through it this summer, and it will be my hunting rifle this year, my first ever rifle hunt for deer.
I also intend to send the rifle to a gunsmith after rifle season, for a complete cleaning and lube and maybe even replace any weak springs. (I might have a malfunctioning spring in the front of the carrier(?) the hourglassed shaped piece that spins is loose and when the barrel is removed, the piece can slide back. To put my barrel back on, I need to hold the front of the receiver down so the piece rotates and comes forward)
I like the .35 so much, I'm going to get some reloading gear, maybe even begin casting bullets, and furthermore, I'm going to get a Marlin 336 in .35 Rem so I have a gun to test my loads with and to have a hunting rifle to use when it's awful weather.
I wish I had discovered these guns 10 years ago, I'd own a whole lot of them, but the price is going up fast in the last few years. I still have hopes of being able to find one that lives in someones closet here in VT. Many people in these parts recognize my Model 8 as the same as their dad or grandpa used to hunt with, so I'm sure there are still quite a few laying low.
Once I get the Model 8 back, I intend to take a video of shooting it, as I know I enjoy seeing the videos of people shooting their Model 8/81's. and I also think we need more videos online of people shooting their Model 8/81's