1920 U.S. TRIALS REMINGTON MODEL 8 .25 REM 22″ SEMI AUTO RIFLE
SOLD FOR: $5,950
1920 U.S. Trials Remington Model 8 .25 Rem 22″ Semi Automatic Rifle
Make: Remington
Model: U.S. Trials Model 8
Serial Number: 44813
Year of Manufacture: 1920
Caliber: .25 Rem.
Action Type: Semi-Automatic Rifle with Fixed Magazine
Markings: Standard Model 8 markings.
Barrel Length: 22″
Sights / Optics: The front sight is an upgraded undercut blade sight dovetailed into a base that is fixed to the barrel jacket. The rear sight is a Lyman aperture peep sight mounted to the right side of the receiver. The holes for the barrel mounted rear sight have been blindly filled.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two piece smooth walnut with a straight grip, straight comb, and crescent metal buttplate. The forend is a lengthened military style forend with finger grooves that was installed by Springfield Armory. The stocks have scattered nicks, dings, compressions, and scrapes. There is a thin hairline crack at the top tang. There are some scattered handling marks. The LOP measures 13 5/8″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has some finish loss, scratches, scabbing, and oxidation. The stocks rate in about Very Good overall condition.
Type of Finish: Blued
Finish Originality: Original. The charging handle is a replacement.
Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is are a few freckles of surface erosion erosion in the bore but nothing heavy. In this writer’s opinion and for the age, the bore rates a 9 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about retains about 85% of its metal finish. The charging handle is a replacement. There is finish wear on the edges. There are scattered nicks, scuffs, and scratches. There are some scattered spots of oxidation. There are some scattered handling marks.of its metal finish. The screw heads are sharp to lightly worn. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle rates in about Very Good condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a more thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.
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. It is a long-recoil operated rifle and feeds from a fixed magazine. The model 8 was chambered in four different Remington rimless cartridges, they were the .25, .30, .32, and .35 Remington. They were primarily used by hunters, though some law enforcement agencies adopted them and it was possible to modify them for removable magazines. It was even the preferred rifle of Texas Ranger Frank Hamer who used a customized .35 caliber model with 15-round magazines, and his was one of the two Model 8’s known to be at the ambush of Bonnie & Clyde. Thisn’t just any Model 8 though, this one of the very Rare U.S. Trials models. In 1921, the Army Infantry School at Fort Benning received 25 Model 8 rifles chambered for .25 Remington. Warfare was evolving at the time, and the U.S. needed rifles to test the viability of a semi-automatic platform. While not suitable for actual combat and not intended for it, the Model 8 rifles were upgraded for developing tactics and military doctrine of a semi-auto rifle. The rifles were then upgraded by Springfield Armory with upgraded sights and a lengthened military style grooved forend with sling swivels. The barrel mounted rear sight was removed and the rear sight is now a Lyman 48 aperture peep sight. The book “The Great Model 8” by John Henwood lists the serial range for these rifles as 42200 to 45737 for known examples. This one is in the range and looks great, a very Rare rifle to enhance any collection!
