Remington Model 8 info?

[Jim K]

Twice in the last few days I have seen references to the Remington Model 8 (or an identical gun) having been made by FN in Belgium. I guess I am ignorant, but I was not aware that FN made either the Model 8 or the Model 81, although Remington made a clone of the A5 shotgun, called the Model 11.

Can anyone provide more info or better a picture of those guns?

Jim

 

[Gordon]

"Browning Patent 1900 rifle" .35 Remington cal. only ,features most often matted rib barrel and checkered stock and forearm with tangent leaf rear sight. Similar to the Remington model 8 . 4913 made 1910-1929 by FN Herstahl. Yes I saw one for $900 about 5 years ago (maybe longer)

 

[Jim K]

Thanks for the info. Now I really have to start digging. Factories do sometimes make one-off or experimentals that don't go anywhere (like FN's copy of the Colt GM in .45 ACP) but it is amazing that with that number made the gun should be so obscure.

Jim

 

[Gewehr98]

Jim, I've got some references around here, too.

Evidently, the FN-manufactured autoloading rifle was sold as a higher-grade version, engraving, inlay, etc, compared to the Model 8, even though the latter had different grades available, too.

I'll have to dig through the file cabinet and scan in what I have.

Regarding the Model 11 shotgun, there's some interesting history there concerning a temporary hiatus of the Belgian-made Auto-5 and the rights being given to Remington in the interim. Then there's the Savage 720, also a clone of the Browning Auto-5 and Remington Model 11...

 

[Jim K]

I am pretty well aware of the ramifications of the shotgun deals and also of some of the pistol stuff, but the Model 8 clone had me stumped completely. Any help will be appreciated.

Jim

 

[davem3racer]

Well, I see you wanted pics, so here you go.

One FN Browning Patent 1900 Rifle. I am still looking for more information on this myself. All the information I have found says that this should be .35 Cal but this one is much larger, over .40. I received it from my Grandmother-inlaw as a birthday present. She lived in Germany for 10 years after WWII, while her husband was serving. She remembers that this one was purchased over there, but she has no more information than that.

 

['Card]

Damn those things are gorgeous.

I realize the gun has family connections, so you'll probably never part with it (I certainly wouldn't in your shoes) but should you ever decide to sell it, please PM me or something.

 

[davem3racer]

Thanks for the great comments.

As you guessed, this one is a keeper and will stay in the family.

 

[Jim K]

Thanks for all the information. A comment on another forum indicated the cartridge was called the "9mm for Browning Carbine." If so, that would be .35 caliber and the others say it was made for the .35 Remington.

One thing for sure, that rifle is enough different from the Remington Model 8 that it disproves my first thought, that FN might have simply imported and marketed the Remington gun. (The markings mean little; a factory will put on any marks a major customer wants.) Further, it appears that it might have been an earlier design, as the Remington has a couple of refinements, like the magazine side springs, that are not on the FN version.

In any event, very informative, and I appreciate all the information on a gun I confess not having even heard of until a week or so ago. Just proves that we do live and learn.

Again, my thanks.

Jim

 

[Gewehr98]

They're similar, yet different.

But I wouldn't let the appearance, or omission, of some features be your determining factor. My very early Remington Model 8 in .32 Remington below has no external magazine guide springs, nor was it ever fitted for such, no relief cuts in the magazine well, etc. My later model Remington Model 81, of course, has them. I figure it's a product improvement that happens during the course of production, just like all the minute changes in the Remington Model 11 (Square tail firing pin, etc).



BTW, Davem3racer, If I haven't said so already, gorgeous rifle. You'd darned well better keep it in the family!