Remington Woodsmaster Model 81 .35 Rem, Blue 22” Pre-War Semi-Automatic Rifle, MFD 1942 C&R

SOLD FOR:$2,725.00
LSB#: 171002MB08

Make: Remington

Model: 81 Woodsmaster

Serial Number: 20234

Year of Manufacture: April 1942, Immediately before Remington halted production of commercial guns for the war effort.

Caliber: .35 Remington

Action Type: Semi-Auto Rifle, Box Magazine Fed, Designed to be loaded from the top.

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 “CL”, the right has a diamond shaped inspection mark. The left side of the receiver is marked “THE / WOODSMASTER / TRADE MARK / MODEL 81″ and “Remington / REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. / 20234”, 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 “63”. 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”.

Barrel Length: 22”

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a low profile beaded blade, dovetailed into a base at the muzzle. The rear sight is a flat-top, u-notched sight sitting on a slide step elevator. These are both the original sights.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are a two piece walnut set with a very nice factory original satin finish. Factory sling swivel studs are found at the belly and the underside of the barrel sleeve. The stock features a wide pistol grip, fluted comb, and steel shotgun style checkered butt plate. The wood is remarkable. There are only a few light dings, marks and scuffs. From fit, to finish, to condition, there is really nothing we don’t love about this set of wood. 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 almost all of its original finish retained and is as sharp as everything else. The stocks rate in about Excellent overall condition.

Type of Finish: Blue and BEAUTIFUL!

Finish Originality: Factory Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is shows not mentionable. There is no erosion.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are two or three small rubs on the left side of the frame, one on the right behind the forearm and some thinning on the left side of the barrel at the chamber. That said, that’s about it… this rifle is absolutely sharp, absolutely beautiful and absolutely original. The screw at the forend is sharp but with TINY marks of a screwdriver. The markings are raised, clear and crisp. Overall, this rifle rates in about Excellent condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. We normally say to clean guns, but this one hardly even need a cleaning…

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The Remington Model 81 is the little brother of the Remington Model 8 – or we should say the younger brother. It is really the same gun with a more robust pistol grip and forearm. Few know the importance of these guns… The Remington Model 8 was the first successful high-powered semi-automatic rifle ever made in the world. It was designed in 1900 by John Browning and the design was made in Belgium and the Unnited States, first in 1906. Production continued until the war department demand required Remington only produce military guns for WWII in mid-1942. After the war, production resumed in 1955.

Compare the gun to an AK-47 and you will see design similarities. Some argue the AK is a rough copy of the Model 81, and being that we love John Browning and will sing his praises whenever possible, we’ll say Kalashnikov copied him…

This is perhaps the nicest Model 81 we have ever handled, our pictures will support this claim. If you collect these already or if this is your first, what a gun to add to your collection! Please see our pictures and good luck!