Remington Model 81 “Woodmaster” – A 1941 Classic in .30 Remington

Serial No. 1655 – Manufactured April 1941

Few American sporting rifles embody the innovation and craftsmanship of the pre-war era quite like the Remington Model 81 “Woodmaster.” Designed by the legendary John Moses Browning, the Model 81 represents the refined culmination of his early autoloading rifle concepts—powerful, reliable, and decades ahead of their time. The example featured here, serial number 1655, left the factory in April 1941, just months before the United States entered World War II, making it a clean and increasingly scarce collectible from a pivotal historical moment.

A Browning Design at Its Peak

The Model 81 evolved from Browning’s earliest self-loading sporting rifles, utilizing his unique long-recoil operating system—a robust mechanism in which the barrel and bolt travel rearward together before cycling forward into battery. This system gave hunters rapid follow-up shots with excellent reliability and helped establish the autoloading sporting rifle as a viable tool in the American woods.

Chambered in .30 Remington, this rifle was designed to compete with the iconic .30-30 Winchester while offering a rimless cartridge better suited to autoloading actions. The result is a smooth-feeding, quick-handling rifle ideal for deer-size game—its performance and balance still appreciated by vintage-rifle enthusiasts today.

Pre-War Craftsmanship & Classic Aesthetics

This April 1941 specimen reflects the high production quality Remington maintained during the pre-WWII years:

• Blued steel construction with a deep, traditional finish

• Straight-grained walnut stock and forearm showcasing period craftsmanship

• Distinctive slender receiver profile and barrel shroud that give the Model 81 its iconic silhouette

Despite being over 80 years old, this rifle remains in good to very good condition. The metal shows minimal wear, with only light handling marks and gentle thinning of the clear coat. The walnut furniture exhibits a handful of small dents and impressions, consistent with respectful field use and careful storage. Overall, it presents as a clean, well-maintained, and fully honest pre-war example.

A True Piece of Firearms History

The Remington Model 81 “Woodmaster” represents the end of an era—one last refinement of John Browning’s pioneering autoloading rifle design before the world shifted toward wartime production. This April 1941 rifle in .30 Remington is more than a firearm; it’s a tangible link to the ingenuity, craftsmanship, and sporting traditions of early 20th-century America.

A well-preserved example like this offers not only functional capability but also the charm and authenticity that only a pre-war classic can deliver.