Remington auto loader, pre model 8

[ky wonder]

Ran up on a fellow enthusiast, with a pre model 8, Remington autoloading 30 cal,
We set up a date to shoot the old gun on the farm, and she shot true, and function properly.
The old 1909 rifle has been well used in its lifetime, little blue left,stock is solid and appropriate with overall condition of the rifle.
Loaded 4 rounds of Remington ammo, in it and it shot to point of aim, and functioned as designed.
So it followed me home, along with 100 rds of Remington Peter's 30 cal auto ammo, for a total of 575.
I love John browning guns, and I have always wanted one of these little take downs for my browning gun collection.
Having trouble with photo bucket so no pics at this time.
However I do have a question for anyone who might be able to explain what looks like a Winchester w in a circle below the serial number on the receiver might be?

 

[35Rem]

Likely just an assembly or inspector stamp.

Be sure to check out the information and forum on the Great Model 8 site
The Great Model 8 & 81

 

[2152hq]

If there is only one 'W in a circle' on the bottom right under the serial number on the frame,,that is the Assemblers mark.

There should also be 2 matching 'Fitters Mark'(s) on the bottom.
One above the serial number,,and the other below it & and assemblers mark.
This lower one actually stamped onto the trigger group.

The Fitters Mark was usually a Letter also early on,,sometimes in a circle,,sometimes not. Usually early on as with the 'W' it was a somewhat fancy font with Serifs,,not a simple block letter.

The Fitters Mark(s) on the two assemblys (frame and trigger group) show they were hand fitted together and by who by the identifying mark.

Above all this marking on the very edge of the barrel jacket extension in small numbers you should have the matching ser# to the frame.

So top to bottom looking at the assembled rifle on the bottom of the frame you should see:

BBl ser# on bbl jacket support
Fitters mark on Frame(matches trigger group mark)
Frame Ser#
Assemblers Mark
Fitters Mark on trigger group (matches frame mark)

Rem later changed from Letters to symbols for the fitters and assemblers plus some of them were recycled to new employees when older ones retired. So reuse in a different era is possible right into the Model 81 assembly time.
I don't now of any lists matching actual employee names with the letters or symbols.

 

[ky wonder]

Thanks for the data, just as descirbed,in post.

I knew it would not be a Winchester mark, but it looked like one, these being in the same group of arms that caused the split with browning and Winchester over royalty fees

 

[bmcgilvray]

Sure would like to see a photograph when you can get one up.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

If you check Remington history you'll find Winchester owned them for a brief period of time.

 

[35Rem]

If you check Remington history you'll find Winchester owned them for a brief period of time.

Not exactly. The same company/group owned both companies at one point. That’s not the same as one owning the other.