https://thegreatmodel8.net/

Greetings! I am a new member and look forward to all the available info on 8's and 81's. Just purchased my first 'two' this week. A 1907 .30 '8' and a 1940 .35 '81'.
The 8 is in beautiful shape with the Lyman flip up sight, the 81 has a Weaver K4-1 and side mount.
My first question to the forum is this:
Both my guns have serial numbers engraved (I assume by electric pen), and were supposedly police dept. weapons. Has anyone been able to decipher the numbers and letters of these type rifles as to what city and dept. they may have belonged?
What is interesting is, right on the bottom of my '8''s forearm are four slash marks in a row......
two-legged or four legged trophies??? Who knows?

Hey NavyDiver,

Welcome to the forum. If you can provide some pictures showing the engravings, I am sure we can give you an appropriate answer to your questions.

Regards,

jack1653

Will do. Should have 81 by Monday. Will post photos of both engraved serial numbers.

To Jack1653:

Here are the pics of the engravings on my two guns.
Based upon what it says in Henwood's book, the A and the P may mean Andrew County (Missouri) Sheriff's Office and possibly Paxton (Illinois) Police Dept. I have no idea. It appears they are engraved from an electric pencil type engraver. On the 81 with the scope, the A and some numbers of the main number are also engraved upon the mount. I would think to keep the rifle and scope mounts together, as most modern sniper rifles are done. What do you think?
The 8 is engraved: CP375 935 202
The 81 is engraved: A452 636 261 858
Scope mount is A 858