Remington Model 81 M81 Woodsmaster Standard Grade, Blue 22” Semi-Automatic Rifle, MFD 1938 3rd Year C&R

SOLD
LSB#:
160503SH24

Make: Remington

Model: 81 Woodsmaster Standard Grade

Serial Number: 6252

Year of Manufacture: 1938 (G Date Code)

Caliber: .35 Remington

Action Type: Semi-Automatic, Internal Fixed-Magazine Fed Rifle.

Markings: The top of the barrel sleeve is marked “REMINGTON ARMS CO. INC., ILION, N.Y. MADE IN U.S.A. / BROWNING’S PATS. 659,507-659,786-701,288-853,438-984,263”, the left side of the receiver extension is marked “CG”, the right has a diamond shaped inspection mark. The left side of the receiver is marked “THE / WOODSMASTER / TRADE MARK / MODEL 81 / Remington / REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. / 6252”, the underside has three inspection marks, the underside of the trigger plate frame has one inspection mark. The left side of the trigger guard bow is marked “65”, right is marked “A”. The rear right side of the barrel is marked “35 REM”, the right side of the receiver is marked “SAFE”. The butt plate is marked “Remington”. The front sight is marked “MARBLE / NO. 6”, the rear is marked “MARBLE’S / GLADSTONE, / MICH. U.S.A.”

Barrel Length: 22”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Marbles Number 6 beaded blade, which is dovetailed onto a raised base on the barrel sleeve and the rear sight is a semi-buckhorn Marbles leaf and slide-step elevator; the leaf is “U” notched and is screw-secured, micro-adjustable for elevation.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece walnut set. The forend is semi-beavertail, which is correct for 1936-1940 production Model 81’s; this stock shows scattered light to moderate depth handling marks and a few areas of chipped off gloss finish. The butt stock has a squared semi-pistol grip and fluted comb; the stock has scattered handling marks of light to moderate depth with notable areas on the lower flanks, belly and square of the grip. The LOP measures 13 ¾” from the front of the trigger to the back of the semi-curved, checkered and blued shotgun-style butt plate; the plate has some finish loss and infrequent compression to the checkers, rating in about Very Good Plus to Fine condition. The stocks rate in about Very Good Plus overall condition.

Type of Finish: Polished Blue

Finish Originality: Factory Original

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

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 90% of its metal finish. The balance of the finish shows a shift to plum patina on the barrel sleeve and fixed magazine. The surfaces exhibit a few infrequent handling marks and scarce instances of light surface etching. The screw heads are sharp. The markings are crisp. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fine condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We have not fired this rifle. As with all previously owned firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: This is a second year of production Remington Model 81 Woodsmaster, which is the evolution of the company’s Model 8. The 81 proved to be a durable, efficient and relatively accurate rifle that took some of the more powerful centerfire cartridges of the time, including .35 Rem., which this rifle is meant to fire. The item has survived very well through the years, with about 90% of the blued finish remaining; the balance is seen as a slow shift into plum patina on some of the items, as well as some scattered handling marks and brief instances of surface etching. The bore is bright with sharp rifling and no erosion and the action functions correctly. The stocks have some scattered scrape and scuff marks but no major losses or cracks. The rifle would rate in Fine Plus to Excellent condition but for the marks on the wood. The rifle is set up with Marbles sights and will make any new owner happy in their collection but would still make for a nice hunter; from Wikipedia “The cartridge uses a medium to heavy bullet and has moderate recoil based on a moderate pressure level of 33,500 CUP as set by SAAMI.[1] The normal factory load consists of a 200 grain round-nosed bullet with a muzzle velocity of 2080 feet per second. This 200 grain bullet is nearly 18% heavier than the .30-30’s 170 grain bullet, and has a 16% larger frontal area. This gives it a substantial increase in power over the .30-30, especially when used on larger game species. Remington helped promote the advantage in power that the .35 Remington had over the .30-30 through a series of advertising campaigns in the early 1900s. One of their advertisements even publicized the ability of the .35 Remington to penetrate a 5/16? steel plate, which the .30-30 Winchester could not do.[5] The .35 Remington is considered a fine round for deer, elk, black bear, and other medium and large game as long as ranges are reasonable.[6] Hornady currently produces a .35 Remington load in their LEVERevolution line that features a rubber-tipped spitzer bullet which is safe to use in lever action or pump guns with tubular magazines and are great big game hunting rounds.”

Remington Model 81 M81 Woodsmaster Standard Grade, Blue 22” Semi-Automatic Rifle, MFD 1938 3rd Year C&R
Remington Model 81 M81 Woodsmaster Standard Grade, Blue 22” Semi-Automatic Rifle, MFD 1938 3rd Year C&R