First year model 8 questions

[fredcdobbs45]

This rifle is in an auction a couple hours away from me. The sellers pictures are pretty limited. I contacted the seller for more pictures but unfortunately I seen the ad pretty late and there is 2 days left and they said they don't have anyone available to take more pictures before the end of the auction. The bore is said to be good.

The rifle has the correct safety lever and no side springs on the magazine. I suspect the barrel assembly could be a replacement as the finish doesn't really match up.

I don't know if there is "35 rem' engraved on top of the barrel jacket. The right side of the barrel jacket is stamped R.E.P in an oval and the left has what looks 2 repair codes- c x 3 and f x 3.

There's a few questions I have.
On the receiver where the bolt handle contacts the receiver when the bolt is locked back there looks like a scratch or a crack. How likely would it be that it could be a crack?
Were the barrel jackets on first year rifles stamped with the serial number?
What would be a fair price assuming all is well?
Thanks for looking!

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[Phyrbird]

If a 30cal drops thru the bbl it's a 35Rem. REAL small is a 25Rem.
Careful the "Remington" calibers except for the 35 in these all had the same parent case: 30 Remington. Get it Right!!
Typically if the Rec'r # & the Bbl jacket # match it's original.. Seen a couple like that. Doesn't mean the Jacket was not stamped later, but it looks too well spaced to be hand done.

[fredcdobbs45]

UPDATE- I took a chance on it for $600 being that it's a 4 digit serial number and still has the early features... Should have it thursday.

[Hibby83]

congratulations on finding a first year gun! my hunt continues for a 1906 mad autoloading rifle.

[fredcdobbs45]

Thanks, I'll try to get some pictures up when it stops raining around here. Bore is nice, it does have 35 rem engraved on the barrel jacket as well. I believe the crack/scratch I was worried about is a scratch, I cant catch my fingernail on it. Here a pic, opinions?

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I can't see what would cause a crack here as the bolt handle doesn't even retract that far.

Is it ok to shoot modern .35 Remington ammo out of a rifle this old? I don't plan on shooting this a whole lot but I would like to see where it shoots and maybe take it out hunting once or twice.
Thanks

[fredcdobbs45]

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Here's another picture

[fredcdobbs45]

Engraved .35 rem. The latest patent date on the barrel jacket is 1902.

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[81police]

The early 8's are my favorite. A lot of guys shoot modern Hornady LeverEvolution ammo. I've always personally shot Remington or Federal soft point ammo in mine. I think at this point, most people shoot what they can get their hands on.

[Hibby83]

I concur with 81Police- Remington, Federal, Winchester and Hornaday are all good candidates to shoot out of our autoloaders.

I prefer the standard 200 grain round nose "personally" and would advise against anything heavier like the Federal hammerdown 220 grain hollow points. I've chronographed new production Rem. Core-Lokt's and they were just over 2,000 feet per second. No need to hotrod "speed or excessive pressure" these old guns.

[fredcdobbs45]

Thanks for the info. I just ordered some federal 200gr from midway.

[Hibby83]

Nice grab on the ammo, that's about the cheapest you'll see for new production ammo.

The 20% rebate REALLY makes it a deal!