Remington Model 81A Woodsmaster, Blue 22″ .35 Rem Internal Box Mag Semi-Automatic Rifle MFD 1942 C&R

SOLD FOR: $1,151.00
LSB#: 
181203HD04

Make: Remington

Model: 81A Woodsmaster

Serial Number: 20103

Year of Manufacture: Aug. 1948

Caliber: .35 Remington

Action Type: The action is semi-automatic with an internal box magazine that can be loaded singly or with stripper clips.

Markings: The top of the barrel jacket is marked “REMINGTON ARMS CO. INC., ILION, N.Y., MADE IN U.S.A. / BROWNING’S PATENTS 659,507-659,786-701,288-984,263”. The underside of the receiver is marked with three inspection marks and the trigger guard assembly is marked with an inspection mark at the front of the magazine housing and with another behind the trigger guard in the lower tang. The left side of the receiver is marked “THE / WOODSMASTER / TRADE MARK / MODEL 81”, “Remington / REG. U.S. PAT. OFC.” and “20103”. The left side of the chamber ring at the front of the receiver is marked “AL”. The left rear of the trigger guard is marked “53” and the right rear of the barrel at the port is marked “35 REM”.

Barrel Length: 22”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a steel bead dovetailed into a raised base on the barrel shroud. The rear sight is a “U” notched elevator sight screwed to the top of the shroud. There is a drilled, tapped and filled hole at the back of the receiver for a tang sight.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are lacquered walnut with a pistol grip and a checkered steel shotgun style buttplate marked “Remington”. There is a sling swivel stud in the belly and another screwed into the underside of the barrel. There is a small hairline crack at the back edge of the upper tang, a tiny ding in the upper right edge of the forend and a tiny drag line in the upper left edge of the forend. The wood is slightly shy of the metal at the front of the lower tang. The LOP measures 13 ¾” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate shows light to moderate wear in its checkering. The buttplate is in about Fine condition. The stocks rate in about Fine overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue

Finish Originality: The finish is original.

Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion in the bore.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are a few very light handling marks in the barrel shroud, a light mark in the top of the receiver’s chamber ring, and several small scratches and a tiny ding in the left side of the receiver. The rearmost screw in the lower tang is distressed. The markings are crisp. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Remington Model 8 was the brainchild of John Moses Browning. Originally patented in 1900, it was the first successful high-powered semi-auto rifle made in the United States–or just about anywhere else, for that matter. In 1936, Remington dropped the Model 8 and introduced the Model 81 Woodsmaster with improvements by C.C. Loomis. The Model 81 was offered in .300 Savage, a caliber not offered in the Model 8, plus .30 Rem. and .35 Rem., which were favored by police departments. Production of the Model 81 ceased in 1950. This is a Model 81 rifle chambered in .35 Remington, a fine round for deer, elk and black bear. This rifle was made in 1942 during WWII and is in about Excellent condition with about 98% of its metal finish remaining. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion. WOW! This is the about the best-looking Model 81 that we have seen, so please see our photographs! There were only 3827 Model 81 rifles made in 1942, with four in 1943 and 115 in 1944, making the Model 81 rifles made in these years very rare. There is no doubt that this rifle is going to end-up in a high-end collection Remington collection, or perhaps a fine collection of semi-automatic rifles.

CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This C&R eligible rifle can be transferred in California.

The Year of Manufacture section is incorrect. The “AL” date code is for March 1942. Sorry for any confusion.

Remington Model 81A Woodsmaster, Blue 22" .35 Rem Internal Box Mag Semi-Automatic Rifle MFD 1942 C&R
Remington Model 81A Woodsmaster, Blue 22″ .35 Rem
Internal Box Mag Semi-Automatic Rifle MFD 1942 C&R