So I picked this Model 8 a few months back from another CGNer as a fixeruper for $550. I was looking for a Model 8 for some time and couldn't find one at any price besides one in .30 Rem that I really didn't want. This one was in .35 Rem so I took the chance that I might be able to restore it.
Had to replace: the bolt latch (missing), bolt latch spring (broken) action spring (no tension) barrel recoil spring (no tension), safety detent (missing), front swivel (missing), buttplate and screws (missing), action spring tube (missing, and I just made this out of tube steel from the handle of a dollar store hammer) as well as the stock set. I think a winchester 94(?) buttstock was fitted to make due and the forstock was held together with bolts and glue.
As I've said, I used the gunville set and it was NOT easy to fit. Its a great stock set and the wood is beautiful but if you are not the best at woodwork then you might be wasting money.
I rust blued everything as the blueing was almost all gone. And I'm very impressed with how good a job the fast rust bluing is! The barrel shroud and receiver look brand new and it's not coming off any time soon.
I picked up another barrel in .32 Rem with the springs and other hardware as well as a smaller bolt head and extractor. I've fired this with .35 rem (30 rounds) and .32 Rem (10 rounds) with no malfunction. All I have to do to switch calibers is swap the barrel assy and the bolt head and extractor and bend the mag lips in a bit for .32 Rem.
Serial number on this is 19xx which puts it as a first year model by my research. That would mean this is 116 years old.
Before
After
