https://thegreatmodel8.net/

Hello everyone,
I'm looking into buying an original Model 81 Special Police gun. I'm curious on what these guns are selling
for these days? It's in 95% condition with a matching 15 round mag.
Does anyone know if these guns came with period hard cases and other accessories? If so, what were
they. I've already purchased a Whelen style sling and a pair of Parker-Hale hook sling swivels. Does
anyone have anything to add.
I'm also a member of the Thompson Collectors Association and other gun clubs as well and glad to here with the
experts on these great guns.
Darryl

Darryl,
As a long time member (about 3 weeks) of this forum let me be the first to welcome you.
I'll leave it to others, more senior, to answer your question.
Your friend,
Jim C 351

Darryl,

Welcome to the 8/81 forums, and congrats on the opportunity to purchase a Special Police 81.

I have not kept up with the most current sell prices, but on 7/20/2015 an L.A. County Police 81 sold for $5,025. It was in 95+% condition along with matching magazine.

The factory installed the swivel eyelets but the sling and swivel hooks were optional. The proper make and model of those are pictured below (photo courtesy S&S..I think).

To my knowledge these are the only factory options apart from additional numbered magazines.

Do you know what LE department this rifle is inscribed to?

Thanks for the info and photos. Are the hooks supposed to hook into the eyelets?

The gun I'm looking at is also a L.A. county / sheriff gun. Does anyone have
a source for the Boyt sling? I guess the Whelen slings are pretty rare. The seller
stated it's a Jan. 1942 gun by it's date code.

I'm hoping to get photos of it tomorrow, the seller is asking about $1000 more than
the one you mentioned.

Thanks,
Darryl

original paperwork read "furnished with or without 7/8-inch adjustable leather sling with detachable hook type swivels" (correctly pictured below).

L.A. County purchased more "Special Police" 81's than any other agency. Some sources say 45. I don't know that for certain but I've seen a bunch of them, 22 to be exact.

That answered that, sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.
I had always thought that the swivels were attached to the furniture,
Looks I did good, though the sling I bought for it is 1" wide.
I'll post some photos after I get it.
Thanks,
Darryl

I'd love to see photos of the rifle!

Cam-Jim,
I closed on the 81 police gun purchase...but failed in posting photos of it.
Can I post photos direct from my computers Pictures File here?
Darryl

Darryl,

Congratulations.
Jim C

Congrats! You can post them here but they'd need to be resized. If you're uncertain you're welcome to email them to me and ill post.

cat9x@hotmail.com

photos of Darryl's fine police gun...

That's a Klean'un
Congrats,very nice.

Thanks for posting the photos Cam!
Now I'm on a hunt for a barrel nut wrench, any body know of anyone selling?
As always, I strip the gun and look for problems and lube everything up.
Darryl

Hey fellas,
I don't know alot about these police guns,but I know a great model 81 when I see one.
Congrats on a beautiful rifle acquisition. If Cameron is OK with it ,then I'm sure it is all correct.
Thanks for your time,
Roger

Hey darrylta,

Welcome to the "family" of springpole owners. You have a great looking POE rifle. Much cleaner than the average police model. The LA Sheriff's office had a bunch of these special rifles. Be sure to take it out and shoot it. It will rock you, just ask 81police.

Regards,

jack1653

Jack,
You may be right there:-)
The long term 8/81 collector I bought it from is undergoing shoulder surgery this week.
Yikes,
Darryl

Does anyone here have a source for a barrel nut & bushing tools?
Am I going to have to make one myself?
Thanks,
Darryl

They're no longer being produced. A winchester winchoke wrench will work in place for the barrel nut (preferably the wood handled version). A thin piece of steel will work in place for the jacket bushing. Just take everything slow and make sure it fits. These are parts easy to booger up.