Help with identification

Ask about your Model 8 & 81
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Mrsamman
Posts: 8
Joined: Thu Mar 23, 2017 8:53 pm

Help with identification

Post by Mrsamman »

I bought a 300 savage today so I assume it has to be an 81. The date code in the barrel is BK3. So it was made in 1941. The fore stock is the beaver tale and the rear is not the pistol type. The only serial or markings us under reciever and it says J 366.
Thanks
Scott
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81police
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Location: TEXAS

Re: Help with identification

Post by 81police »

Mrsamman,

Welcome to the forums! It looks like you have a Model 8 receiver with what appears to be a Model 81 barrel assembly? Do you have any pictures of the markings on top of the barrel jacket? Also photos of the what's marked on the bottom of the receiver?
Cam Woodall
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Mrsamman
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Joined: Thu Mar 23, 2017 8:53 pm

Re: Help with identification

Post by Mrsamman »

This is the only one I have. It's the top of the barrel. Thanks for the help. The reciever has no markings on the side, and a J with a circle around it and the number 366 on the under side.
Thanks
Scott
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81police
Posts: 2613
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Re: Help with identification

Post by 81police »

yep, you've got a Model 81 front end with a Model 8 back end!
Cam Woodall
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Mrsamman
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Joined: Thu Mar 23, 2017 8:53 pm

Re: Help with identification

Post by Mrsamman »

Does that hurts the value alot?
About how old do you think the back end is?
I plan on shooting this soon, is there a certain brand of ammo that works better in these?
Thanks
Scott
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81police
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Re: Help with identification

Post by 81police »

If you're positive the bottom of the receiver says "366" that would be a 1906 receiver. However, the stock and safety lever are not consistent with what you'd find on very early production rifles. Would you mind posting a picture of the bottom of the receiver? Mis-matched (and therefore non matching serial number) rifles do not carry the same value as a matching numbers rifle.
Cam Woodall
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Mrsamman
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Joined: Thu Mar 23, 2017 8:53 pm

Re: Help with identification

Post by Mrsamman »

Here is a couple more pictures of the reciever and the date stamp on the barrel.
This is my deceased uncles gun and I was planning on giving my aunt $400 for the gun.
Thanks
Scott
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35Rem
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Location: SE Alabama

Re: Help with identification

Post by 35Rem »

Early receiver!
The BK3 barrel marking indicated a repair (3) done in January (B) of 1941 (K). They probably didn't have any more Model 8 front ends, since the 81 had been in production since 1936 and/or the customer wanted to upgrade to the 300 Savage. I'm sure other parts may have been replaced at that time, which is what 81Police is referring to about other parts not looking like early receiver parts.
War Eagle!
Mrsamman
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Joined: Thu Mar 23, 2017 8:53 pm

Re: Help with identification

Post by Mrsamman »

Great info. So you think the barrel swap was probably done by remington? Do you think this gun is worth $400?
I can't wait to shoot it. Saturday morning the outdoor range was closed for repairs, so I will have to wait a couple more weeks.
Thanks
Scott
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35Rem
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Re: Help with identification

Post by 35Rem »

Yes, worth $400.
That rear sight is worth around $150-200 these days
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Phyrbird
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Re: Help with identification

Post by Phyrbird »

35Rem is right about the value, if not a little more. I think it's a very clean looking rifle for that age. And having a Remington Grade D repaired in 1950 with a "81" barrel sleeve I know the factory did that kind of work. Got the "81 Full Monte" cardboard box it was returned to the owner after the repair to support the factory work. They even installed an early forearm (smaller) screw boss on the 81 sleeve. :mrgreen: Probably the only one in existence. :!: :!:
One thing, be sure to carefully verify the rifle will close with a 300 Savage round. The Savage cartridge has a larger rim than all the rest of the calibers for these Ladies. That means if a swap was made the bolt recess could be too small for the 300 Sav. It is about .006 larger than the 35Rem bolt face. Also a easy test cold be to take down the rifle and check a case in the exposed bolt face. :ugeek:
It is theoretically possible the repair code included a factory swap of calibers to the 300 Savage cartridge. Of course the records of these events are no longer available.
Phyrbird
SOKY
Mrsamman
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Re: Help with identification

Post by Mrsamman »

I have tested a few round through the gun and it looked like it was closing and operating properly, but I will check again. I might take the action out again and check fit. Thanks for the help. I like reading through all the information in all the posts.

Scott
Mrsamman
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Joined: Thu Mar 23, 2017 8:53 pm

Re: Help with identification

Post by Mrsamman »

I was able to fire a few rounds through the rifle today. The first couple pulls of the trigger and it was real slow to fire. The hammer hung up a little when the trigger was released. After two or three rounds it acted normal. Good shooter, I have to get used to the peep sight. I made some of my own targets with white card board, next time I will bring the easy to see targets. I was actually shooting better than I thought but couldn't see it through the viewing scope.
Thanks for all the info.
Scott
Mrsamman
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Joined: Thu Mar 23, 2017 8:53 pm

Re: Help with identification

Post by Mrsamman »

Update.
I attended a family reunion in 2019 and told a family member I got the model 8 rifle from my aunt and they told me someone stuck the rifle in the ground while hunting and got dirt in the barrel and it blew up on the next fire.
They sent it to Remington and they put on the new barrel and other parts needed to make the caliber change so that why it is part a 1906 gun and part 1941.

Scott
kenhwind
Posts: 265
Joined: Tue Jun 23, 2009 6:50 am

Re: Help with identification

Post by kenhwind »

Nice Model 8-81
Yes $400 is a really good price imo, the tang sights sell on eBay for over $200 just about every time one is listed.
KEN
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