Remington Model 81 Woodsmaster .32 Rem 22″ Semi-Automatic Rifle 1939 C&R
SOLD FOR: $2080
LSB#: 210611TP61
Make: Remington
Model: 81 “The Woodsmaster”
Serial Number: 9641
Year of Manufacture: 1939 (XH Date Code)
Caliber: .32 Remington
Action Type: Long-Recoil, Fixed Magazine Fed, Semi-Automatic Rifle
Markings: The top of the barrel jacket is marked “REMINGTON ARMS CO. 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 barrel jacket is marked “XH”. The underside of the receiver is marked with inspection marks in front of the fixed mag. The trigger guard’s left rear bow is marked “53”. The left side of the base of the barrel jacket is marked “641”. The right rear of the barrel, visible at the ejection port is marked “.32 REM”. The right side of the base of the barrel jacket is marked with a diamond. The left side of the receiver is marked “THE / WOODSMASTER / TRADE MARK / MODEL 81” and “Remington / REG. U.S. PAT. OFF.”.
Barrel Length: 22”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed into a base fixed to the front of the barrel jacket but the bead has broken off. The rear sight is a flat-topped “U” notch sight screwed to the barrel jacket, it has an elevation screw. The top tang is installed with a flip-up aperture peep sight. The peep sight has some brass brazed to it on the knurled fitting and there are some profiling marks on the left side of the aperture where it threads into the base.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a pistol grip, fluted straight comb, and a checkered alloy Remington buttplate. The wrist is proud to the top tang from the factory. There is a pair of hairline cracks on the top of the wrist at the rear of the tang. There are some infrequent draglines, compressions, impact marks, and nicks. Some of the most noticeable marks are on the sides of the forend at the rear and belly above the toe. There is a little chip loss out of the front edge of the pistol grip. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has some scattered finish loss and some spots of discoloration from the previous oxidation. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is bright with sharp rifling. There is no erosion.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. There is some finish loss and discoloration from oxidation on the barrel jacket at the front and on the sides of the receiver at the rear. There are some little scattered spots of discoloration from previous oxidation, little nicks, and some scratches. There are some scattered scuffs that have thinned the finish. There are a few areas of thinning that have patinaed, most noticeable on the bottom of the receiver at the front. There is some standard operational wear. The markings are clear. The screwheads show light use. Overall, this rifle is in about Very Good 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. The model 8 was chambered in four different Remington rimless cartridges, they were the .25, .30, .32, and .35 Remington. The Model 81 Woodsmaster was an improvement on the successful design and was produced in the three original .30 Cal Remington cartridges and in 1941 .300 Savage was introduced. This example made in 1939 is chambered in .32 is in about Good condition with about 85% of its metal finish remaining, scattered wear in its stocks, a good bore, and strong mechanics. This will be a great shooter or nice addition to your C&R collection. Please see our photos and good luck!