Factory Engraved Remington Model 8F Prmier .32 Rem 22″ Semi-Auto Rifle, C&R
SOLD FOR: $8500
LSB#: 230121RC009
Make: Remington
Model: 8F “Premier”
Serial Number: 21974
Year of Manufacture: 1911
Caliber: .32 Remington
Action Type: Long-Recoil, Fixed Magazine Fed, Semi-Automatic Rifle
Markings: The top of the barrel jacket is marked “MANUFACTURED BY THE REMINGTON ARMS CO. ILION. N.Y. U.S.A. / BROWNING’S PATENTS OCT. 9. 900. OCT. 16. 1900. JULY 3. 1902″, the bottom of the receiver at the front is marked with the serial number. The bottom tang is marked with the serial number. The barrel is marked “32 REM”. The rifle has F or “Premier” grade scroll and border engraving with game scenes featuring two deer on the left side, and a bear and a moose on the right side. The top of the receiver at the rear is engraved with a bears head. The interior of the receiver is stamped “F”.
Barrel Length: 22”
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel jacket. The rear sight is an adjustable “U” notch elevator sight that is screwed to the barrel. The rear of the barrel has two screws for a rear sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a round bottom pistol grip, straight comb, initial plate in the belly (unmarked), and a shotgun-style checkered black hard rubber Remington Arms Co. buttplate. There is a thin hairline crack on the top of the wrist at the rear of the top tang. There are some draglines, light compressions, and some dings into the wood, the most noticeable marks are on the sides of the buttstock towards the rear, comb, and belly. There are some scattered light handling marks. The checkering is intact and well define. The LOP measures 13 3/4″ from the front of the trigger to the back of the Remington plate. The plate has scattered little nicks and marks. There is some discoloration from age. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is dark and the riding is worn but is still well-defined. The bore has pitting throughout. In my opinion, this bore is a 3 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 85% of its metal finish. There is finish loss on the edges. Areas have developed a light patina. There are some scattered spots of thinning and finish loss, most noticeable on the receiver. There are some little nicks and light marks, mostly on the barrel jacket, the most noticeable are on the bottom and to the sides of the front sight base. There are some scattered spots of oxidation. There are a few heavier spots of oxidation at the front sight base. There are operational marks and handling marks. The markings are clear, some of the barrel jacket markings are a bit light. The screwheads are sharp to lightly used. 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. 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. This 1911 produced example is dressed in 8F or “Premier” engraving and stocks. The engraving is first class and is truly beautiful to behold, this is Remington’s highest grade of engraving available for these and has their scroll work plus game scenes on both sides of the receiver. Not only is this jaw-dropping aesthetically, the parts on the Premier model also receive more attention with hand polishing and fitting resulting in one of the finest semi-autos money can buy. The rarity of factory engraved model 8s as well as this being an early production model will certainly interest Remington and early autoloader collectors. Please see our photos and good luck!
Some are hot, some are not, but thankfully most can be shot!
-Red