https://thegreatmodel8.net/

I have a mode in 35 rem. It was my dad's gun and now it's mine. He purchased it In the early 70's. It's has been in the gun closet ever since and i always loved the look of the gun but have never seen it fired. Now that it is mine I am trying to research it and find out more about it.
I have looked at lots of pictures and have yet to see one like mine. It is chambered in 35 cal. It has a retractable leather sling the recoils into the stock. Also it has a compass in the top of the stock right before the receiver. I can't seem to find out what year it was made and what model it is...A, B, C, or D . Any help I could get would be greatly appreciated. The number on the side is 15569.
Thanks
Dave

It's a 1941 - like Joe said!!!

(I had to come back and edit my post - since I told the WRONG year the first time, due to my NOT reading "81" even though it was stating right at me!!)

Adam

We really need to see some pictures to do a good job evaluating what you have. Is there any engraving on the metal? The sling rewinding into the stock sounds very French to me. I think that is a feature of French shotguns of the period.

I have been trying to load pics but I've got to take some new ones that aren't so large. I really appreciate the info guys! I can't wait to run a few rounds through it. The video of police 81 is awesome. Love that sound! Pics to follow.

Thanks
Dave

Some pictures

A few more

So there isn't any engraving on the rifle. It has a plain forearm and stock. I would assume the p k stamp is the year...it looks to me to be 1929... it's a little beat up...but if it's worth it I would have a gunsmith spruce it up for me a little...I plan on never selling it! I love the look and the feel of the gun too much to sell it. It would be cool to have it modified to accept a 10 round mag though.

It needs a little work...

Welcome and thanks for the photos. Your rifle is a standard model 81 made in 1941. The compass and the retractable sling are aftermarket additions. Always thought the slings like that were neat. I had a J.C.Higgins .22cal rifle years ago that had one and it was a handy carry strap and always there. Was a time that small compasses like yours were pretty common for decoration and function on hunting rifles. I can remember a couple times that one on one of my rifles would have been real welcome and saved me a long night in the woods.
Joe

Welcome, that sling is a really neat feature. And from the look a very clean rifle.
Congrats

Sarge756 wrote:Welcome and thanks for the photos. Your rifle is a standard model 81 made in 1941. The compass and the retractable sling are aftermarket additions. Always thought the slings like that were neat. I had a J.C.Higgins .22cal rifle years ago that had one and it was a handy carry strap and always there. Was a time that small compasses like yours were pretty common for decoration and function on hunting rifles. I can remember a couple times that one on one of my rifles would have been real welcome and saved me a long night in the woods.
Joe

Thanks for correcting my error in saying the build year was 1909, Joe - I read through Dave's post the first time - AND the subject line - STILL didn't realize 81 NOT Model 8!!!!

My bad, Dave. Your 81 is a neat gun, with the unique sling and compass features. Have some fun with it!
Adam

Thanks for all the great information guys! I told my Dad about the history of the gun and he was excited to hear the history. Like I said I can't wait to send some lead down range!
Have any of you ever seen a sling like that on an 8 or 81? Because the sling mounts to the forearm and not the barrel. Every pic I've seen of the sling is mounted to the barrel.
I figured it was because the standard model didn't come set up for a sling?
Again thanks
Dave

That sling is certainly a one-of-a-kind ....pretty cool if you ask me!

And I think the additional holes in the receiver correspond to an old Weaver T8 scope mount.

Thanks for sharing the photos and story And no standard 81's did not come setup for slings.

Just got my shipment of 35 ammo today! Off to the range this weekend! Video to follow! Thanks again for all the info and support!

"P K" date code on the barrel extension in front of the receiver. For a Model 81 this would be June 1941.

Jim