{"id":1051,"date":"2011-09-20T09:48:47","date_gmt":"2011-09-20T15:48:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thegreatmodel8.net\/?page_id=1051"},"modified":"2022-07-27T06:58:15","modified_gmt":"2022-07-27T12:58:15","slug":"the-grades-of-the-model-8-81","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thegreatmodel8.net\/?page_id=1051","title":{"rendered":"The Grades of the Model 8 & 81"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n<\/span>\n

D<\/span>espite a modest production run of around 127,000 Model 8 & 81’s, there are still a lot of these old “springpoles” around.  Finding an original, untouched and unaltered Model 8 is becoming less common as the years go by. Sanded and refinished stocks, custom checkering, and re-blued steel are frequent occurrences today, but this is to be expected when most of these rifles were used for the purpose in which they were intended to work.  So how can you be certain of which grade of rifle you have?<\/p>\n<\/span>\n

In early 1907 Remington announced four additional grades for the Model 8.  With each increasing grade embellishment was slightly more elegant (and expensive!) than the previous grade.  From 1907-1915, the five grades of the Model 8 were designated the #1, #3, #4, #5, and #6.  After 1915, Remington renamed these grades the,<\/p>\n<\/span>\n

8A – Standard<\/strong><\/p>\n

8C – Special<\/strong><\/p>\n

8D – Peerless<\/strong><\/p>\n

8E – Expert<\/strong><\/p>\n

8F – Premier<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/span>\n

As the Model 8 was phased out in place of the Model 81, Remington kept the same basic arrangement of grades.<\/p>\n<\/span>\n

81A – Standard<\/strong><\/p>\n

81C and 81B – Special<\/strong><\/p>\n

81D – Peerless<\/strong><\/p>\n

81E – Expert<\/strong><\/p>\n

81F – Premier<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The question is often asked, what grade is my rifle?  The following information is intended to assist the collector in identifying rifle grade.  This is by no means an exhaustive reference for the Model 8\/81 but rather a beginning guide.  Please keep in mind that Remington did have a standard by which the various grades were manufactured, however finding rifles out of the norm, though not frequent, does happen.  There is an example of an A grade Model 8 factory fitted with F grade wood, C grades with a little fancier checkering than most, and D grades with fancy, but uncheckered walnut.  Again, occurrences like these are exceptions and as with any collectible firearm a meticulous examination of the rifle in its entirety is a must!<\/p>\n<\/span>\n

*Most photographs throughout this article can be left mouse clicked and opened larger.*<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/h2>\n

<\/span><\/h2>\n

 <\/h2>\n

——————–THE MODEL 8——————–<\/strong><\/h2>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Model 8A (#1, Standard Grade)<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

<\/span><\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n<\/span>\n

The majority of Model 8’s are the A grade; it is the basic, most common grade found.  The Model 8A came with an ordinary American walnut stock and forearm.  The buttstock could be had in either a straight grip, round knob semi-pistol grip, or flat knob semi-pistol grip (late production rifles).  The metalwork was plain with no engraving on the receiver or barrel jacket.<\/p>\n<\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

MODEL 8A – SEPT. 1925<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/span>\n

The stocks of early Model 8’s were made with what’s called “cheeks” at the wrist.  These cheeks are raised areas of the stock where the wood meets the metal and they essentially make the receiver lines continuous into the wood.  They are purely aesthetic and found on Model 8’s as late as 1918\/1919 (though some examples have been found as late as 1922).  Usually only a remnant of these cheeks are still present as over the course of many decades this area fades with wood sanding and refinishing.  The rifle above was manufactured post-WWI\u00c2 and has a later stock without cheeks.<\/p>\n<\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

* Note the A grade could be ordered from the factory with a hand checkered stock and forearm.  The stock material was still American walnut.  Unfortunately the majority of checking found today on Model 8’s is NOT factory.  Pay close attention to the example pattern below which depicts typical<\/em> factory checkering.  This optional diamond checkering should be 20 lines per inch and single bordered.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Typical stock and forearm 8A (Standard) grade with optional factory checkering.  At the time this rifle was manufactured (1918), the cost of the checkering was an additional $5.00.  This rifle’s stock set is untouched; retaining nearly all of its original varnish finish.  Notice the stock “cheeks”, the raised portion of wood where the stock meets the receiver.<\/p>\n<\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

FACTORY CHECKERED MODEL 8A<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

Model 8C (#3, Special Grade)<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

<\/span><\/h1>\n

 <\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n<\/span>\n

The Model 8C retained the plain, non-engraved receiver of the 8A, but was supplied with a hand checkered stock and forearm of select English walnut.  On average, the C grade cost about 25% more than an A grade.  The checkering pattern should be single bordered and 20 lines per inch.  Patterns for the 8C are fairly consistent, however a couple examples have been observed with fancier patterns.  To verify authenticity of an 8C, sometimes a 3 or C will be stamped into the inside of the forearm and stock along with the serial number.  This is not a rule of thumb as many 8’s will not have any interior markings whatsoever.<\/p>\n<\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

The 8C could be had in a straight grip or semi-pistol grip buttstock.  A grip cap for the semi-pistol grip buttstock was optional.  The 8C can be found with or without stock cheeks depending on year of production.<\/p>\n<\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Click on the thumbnails below to view typical stock and forearm checkering patterns.<\/span>  <\/em><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\"\"<\/a>

MODEL 8C GRIP CHECKERING<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

MODEL 8C FOREARM CHECKERING<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

UNCOMMON MODEL 8C GRIP CHECKERING<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/span>\n

Generally speaking, Remington did not mark the receiver of 8C’s in any special way, but two very late production 8C’s known are marked “MODEL 8 C”.  This was probably something done only on the last of the Model 8’s.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

RARE MODEL 8C MARKING<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/span>\n

Model 8D (#4, Peerless Grade)<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

The Model 8’s receiver is a vast area of flat and semi curved surfaces, an ideal canvas for the Remington engraver.  The D grade is the first entry into the gorgeously engraved Model 8’s.  Remington marketed the work as, “a rich scroll hand engraving”.  Indeed the engraving on these higher grade Model 8’s is a work of art.  A combination of rarity, individual uniqueness, labor involved, and artistic ability is what commands the high prices of these extraordinary custom rifles.<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Approximately one quarter of the receiver is covered in scroll work.  Engraving can also be found on the base of the magazine with little to none on the sides of the magazine.  There is a modest amount of scroll work at the rear of the barrel jacket.  An engraved barrel jacket head is frequently witnessed in Remington’s period advertisements, but most 8D’s will have no engraving on the barrel jacket head whatsoever.  According to Remington’s Pre-WWI catalogs, the Model 8 D, E, and F grades had “all working parts hand polished”<\/p>\n<\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

MODEL 8D<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/span>\n

Specifications for the 8D stock and forearm were the same as the 8C but with a higher grade of English walnut.  The checkering patterns were also a little more elaborate cut to 22 lines-per-inch.<\/p>\n<\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

Click on the thumbnails below to view typical stock and forearm checkering patterns.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

MODEL 8D GRIP CHECKERING<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"<\/a>

MODEL 8D FOREARM CHECKERING<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Model 8E (#5, Expert Grade)<\/strong><\/span> <\/strong><\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/span>\n

With each increasing grade after the D, the degree of scroll engraving coverage and checkering increases exponentially.  The 8E went beyond the D grade with significantly more scroll work, the addition of a game scene on the left side of the receiver, a silver nameplate inlaid in the underside of the stock, and the finest grade of English walnut with checkering cut to 22 lines-per-inch.<\/p>\n<\/span>\n

A quick look at the magazine box will often distinguish an E grade from a D grade.  For the most part D grade magazines are almost bare, whereas the E grades have a generous amount of scroll work on the sides.  The left side of the receiver is also a giveaway, as the D is absent of a game scene.<\/p>\n<\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

MODEL 8E<\/p><\/div>\n<\/span>\n

 <\/p>\n

Of the 15 “E” grade rifles observed during this study the following observations were made,<\/p>\n<\/span>\n