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Another C-Grade to look at
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:38 am
by 54bullseye
Here is another cool C grade model 8 to look at. It has some neat features. First off it's got the top tang butt plate. Second it's in 25 Rem. It has a cool checkered pistol grip cap that may or may not be factory ??? Either way I really like the grip cap and I would bet on it being done at the factory but there isn't any markings on or under it.
Serial # is 39580 so 1917 build date and the serial number is marked on stock under top tang along with a 3 signifying a C grade. It's also marked on left side of lower tang along with a 3 stamped in upper tang. There are no markings on or under the butt plate but from what I have heard that is common with the top tang guns. The serial number is also marked on barrel's collar or yoke.
It has a King rear sight and a Lyman globe style flip up front sight. It also has the extra "3rd" wood screw on lower tang. The fore arm has no markings on it.
The gun has seen a lot of use as the stock and fore arms wood show dents and scratches but the checkering still is in pretty good shape ! Also the bluing is still strong but does show scratches and wear. All and all a nice looking old C-grade that I am proud to own !! Many pictures to follow. I wish I could load bigger pictures as having to shrink them for forums format you can't see the detail like if they were bigger !! Oh well here you go.
Enjoy and Thanks for looking !! John Taylor
Re: Another C-Grade to look at
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:40 am
by 54bullseye
more pictures
Re: Another C-Grade to look at
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:41 am
by 54bullseye
more pictures
Re: Another C-Grade to look at
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:42 am
by 54bullseye
more pictures
Re: Another C-Grade to look at
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:43 am
by 54bullseye
more pictures
Re: Another C-Grade to look at
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:44 am
by 54bullseye
more pictures
Re: Another C-Grade to look at
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:45 am
by 54bullseye
more pictures
Re: Another C-Grade to look at
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:46 am
by 54bullseye
few more pictures
Re: Another C-Grade to look at
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 4:47 am
by 54bullseye
Last pictures. Thanks again for looking !!! John Taylor
Re: Another C-Grade to look at
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 9:10 am
by Hibby83
Sweet C grade John.
That wood sure has some figure to it. That's a rare sight combination, those flip fronts are really cool and the King rear are seldom seen.
Re: Another C-Grade to look at
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 3:36 pm
by S and S HUNTCLUB
That's a beauty John!
I've had several hard to acquire Model 8's with the rifle style "Top-Tang" steel butt plate pass through my hands over the years that I've bought and sold. Not one of them were numbers matching... regarding the butt plate and butt stock, matching the receiver serial number. In fact, I've accepted the non-matching serial numbers as being the norm when purchasing a Top-Tang Model 8's. That being said, it was refreshing seeing your butt stock factory stamped and matching the receiver serial number.
Off the top of my head, I've had five 35 calibers and one 30 REM, but never a 25 REM "Top-Tang" Factory Checkered "C-Grade". In fact, non were checkered C-Grades!
Finding a "Numbers-Matching" Top-Tang C-Grade in 25 REM with the up-graded Globe front sight and a D.W. King rear sight is an exceptional find John.
I saw what you paid for it and you did very well on that purchase sir and it will only increase in value. Congratulations on a great buy!
John Henwood's book "The Great Remington 8 and Model 81 Autoloading Rifles" at the time of publication (page 48), stated that an unknown number of Model 8's were made with the "Top-Tang" rifle butt plate, but only about "SIX" Model 8's had surfaced with the "Top-Tang" steel rifle style butt plate.
Henwood mentions a 1917 Model, #39545 (page 48), which was a 30 REM, "C-GRADE" that was documented as having surfaced in his book and its very close to your serial number ... only off by 35 digits!
That's a beautiful looking and rare C-Grade with great sight upgrades and a super hard to find "Top-Tang" butt plate Model 8 ... top it off with it being a 25 REM cailber and I'd say you did very well John... especially since it's the first that I believe has surfaced in this configuration, "Numbers Matching" and in 25 REM.
The wood grain is beautiful too!
You certainly have the knack for sniffing out and buying some real beautiful and rare Remingtons!
Enjoy life, Bob - S and S HUNTCLUB
Re: Another C-Grade to look at
Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2023 3:55 pm
by 54bullseye
Well thanks for the complements both Luke and Bob it means a lot coming from two old pros !!
What are your thoughts on the pistol grip cap ?? Ever see one like it on a Remington ?? I can't believe someone might have possibly cut off a round knob grip to attach a cap. Another possibility is it came with the more traditional Remington cap and it broke or fell off and this was the replacement ?? Don't know but my money is on it being originally done at the factory . John Taylor