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Post by massrog39 on Jan 4, 2009 16:24:10 GMT -5
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Post by Hardrada55 on Jan 4, 2009 19:38:59 GMT -5
Your gun was shipped from the factory in 1946. There is a production code on the left side of the barrel jacket where it meets the receiver. It should be three letters, something like RR (which is 1946) and another letter, which represents the month of production. The whole thing looks like "RRD", which would be production in September of 1946. The months correspond to the letters in the word, BLACKPOWDERX. It would make a great Deer/Bear gun. I do not have a clue as to what your did to nearly shoot himself while loading it. So be careful. I would have a gunsmith check it out thoroughly and tell him of your brother's experience. I guess you could be getting some kind of "slam fire" when the bolt closes on a loaded chamber. I don't think I would scope it, though there are plenty of scoped ones around. Now this is just my personal opinion, but I think scoping an Model 81 negatively affects it's collector's value. An expensive tang mounted peep sight, on the other hand, (and in my opinion again) would add to it's collector's value. That being said, don't poke any new holes in your gun until AFTER you've talked to SEVERAL knowledgeable people you trust about sight opinions for this gun.
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Post by massrog39 on Jan 4, 2009 20:56:29 GMT -5
Thanks very much Hardrada55! I believe it was a slam fire as he said it was when he "dropped" the bolt. Luckily for him he moved the muzzle from his toe to the runningboard of his"63 pickup. I probably won't scope it but as you say the tang sight might be nice! Easier to find the Tang than the scope mount anyway.
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rmh
Junior Member
Posts: 95
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Post by rmh on Jan 5, 2009 16:43:58 GMT -5
I have also been present when a Winchester of the same vintage (the ones that Winchester tried to rush into production to beat Remington to semi-auto's) and seen them "dry" slam-fire and/or caugh the owners finger while slam firing - at which time he explained to me with a few choice words, while looking for a bandaid, why they were called "widow makers". Surely you must be talking about the Winchester model 1911 shotgun. These were considered widowmakers because to load a shell you cycled the barrel assembly, which was often done while the butt rested on your foot and barrel pointed upwards, perhaps near your head. I've also head rumors in print and elsewhere of early problems with 1907's or 1910's having troubles with a "glass sear", as in a sharp bump or drop would drop the trigger hammer, thereby firing any chambered cartridge.
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Post by massrog39 on Jan 5, 2009 23:32:04 GMT -5
But some years later I did see the hole in the floor of that old farm truck in his barn. I don't know how he did it but I'm pretty sure he wasn't trying to put the truck out nof it's misery by shooting it in the floor.
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35rem
Junior Member
Posts: 61
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Post by 35rem on Jan 6, 2009 12:05:47 GMT -5
A slam fire could occur if the fireing pin was frozen in place sticking out of the bolt face, either broken or rusted in place. When the bolt slams home it could fire the weapon. It could potentially happen. Has the gun been fired since? It's possible it may have a broken firing pin if it hasn't. If you look at the bolt face, can you see the pin sticking out?
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