1909 Remington Model 8D "Peerless" .35 Rem Factory engraved Semi Automatic Rifle 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 1909 produced example is dressed in 8D or "Peerless" engraving and checkered stocks. The rifle has wonderful scroll work on the metal and has a pistol grip instead of a straight grip. Remington always had a pulse for engraving, putting out some of the most beautiful pieces. They display a well balanced aesthetic of scroll, border engraving, and blank space that combine for a rifle that is effortlessly refined and elegant. Not only is this jaw-dropping aesthetically, the parts on the Peerless models 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!
Make: Remington
Model: 8D "Peerless"
Serial Number: 15262
Year of Manufacture: 1909
Caliber: .35 Remington
Action Type: Long-Recoil, Fixed Magazine Fed, Semi-Automatic Rifle
Barrel Length: 22"
Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman white beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel jacket. The rear sight is a Lyman two leaf sight. One leaf has a small "U" notch at the bottom of a deep valley. The second leaf has a flat top and an white triangle reference. The rear sight is dovetailed into a base that is screwed to the barrel jacket. The rear of the receiver is installed with a folding Lyman aperture peep sight.
Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece checkered walnut with a round bottom pistol grip, straight comb, and a shotgun-style checkered black hard rubber Remington Arms Co. buttplate. There are no markings on the interior of the forend. There is a thin repaired crack on the bottom of the forend at the rear. There is a tiny, hardly noticeable, hairline crack at the top tang. There are some minor compressions scattered over the wood. The checkering is strong. The LOP measures 13 3/4" from the front of the trigger to the back of the Remington plate. The plate has some scattered marks and some wear on the left edge at the top. The checkering and lettering are strong. Overall, the stocks are in about Fine condition.
Type of Finish: Blue
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: The bore is gray and the rifling is strong and well defined. There is scattered light erosion. In my opinion, this bore rates 7 out of 10.
Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 65% of its metal finish. The only marking on the barrel jacket base is ovalled "R.P.", there are no serial markings. There is finish wear on the edges. There are some scattered nicks and scratches in the metal. There are areas of thinning and finish loss that have patinated, most noticeable on the receiver. There are some spots of light oxidation and discoloration from previous oxidation. The markings are clear. The screwheads are sharp to lightly used. Overall, this rifle is in 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.
CA LEGAL: C&R: YES, CA PPT: NO
RIFLE