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Well I chased a nice Model 71 Deluxe on Gunbroker Sunday night that Keystone arms was selling. It was a beautiful gun but everytime I bid what I thought would be enough to get it, another bidder would slowly bid me up until he passed my max bid at about the 1.5 minute remaining mark. So after about an 1.5 of playing this game with him I became convinced he wasn’t going to let me have it and let it go.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/857219662
I probably could have bid it up a bit more and maybe he would have stopped, but I was fairly certain he was determined to buy that gun. It looked to be a very nice one, but I have since been told of issues that others noticed with it that mean this could be a blessing in reality.
Well today I found one that may not be in quite as nice of shape, but has some gorgeously figured wood on it, and comes with the bonus of 15 boxes of 348 ammo, a mixture of old winchester, new winchester, and browning ammo. It is a 1936 model, the seller said to his knowledge it is and looks original and Bert on here was gracious enough to give his opinion on it’s originality from the photos and thought it looked correct. It has a few scratches on the bluing so it isn’t mint, but it appears to be a gorgeous rifle. The current owner used it to hunt leopards in Zimbabwe, that is a new use for the 71. Who knows, at some point I may send it off to Turnbull to reblue…but probably not. It is a long tang model with the bolt peep sight I dearly love and is serial number 8815. This gives me number 5 when I get it paid off.
The first rifle from keystone was completely re blued, dodged the bullet there.
The second rifle with fancy stocks has original metal finish, but the stocks are not factory original – modern custom made. Maybe Bert informed you of this as well and you paid accordingly. It has a great look to it regardless.
I have also been told the loading gate and the forearm cap are incorrect on the one from Keystone. As well as issues with the checkering for a prewar rifle.
Bert thought the wood was factory and said he has encountered about a half dozen early model long tangs with the upgraded wood.
I am comfortable with the price we agreed to considering I am getting 1200 dollars worth of ammo with the gun.
Yes, and in your posession there will be no more needless killing of Leopards. Big Larry
Its a nice looking gun, no doubt. Based on what I see you will find the wood is new. When you receive it, pull the butt stock or butt plate and post a few pictures. I would bet it is a hand made piece without any age. The checkering is new as well. I can also see new wood where exposed and uneven fitting to the tangs. If I had a real honest XX fancy 71 deluxe, 80% condition, I have buyers lined up for $8-10k.
That is a gorgeous 71. I see what Austen is saying about new-looking wood and checkering, but I also see that the receiver and hammer have very little wear (scratches on the receiver are not what I call “wear” of blueing). So I would expect the wood to appear relatively new as well. However, carefully removing the buttplate might help, although I would not expect any crud in there given that the rifle shows little signs of use. Regardless, I would be very happy to own a gorgeous 71 like that one. The ammo is a very nice bonus, especially all that brass for reloading.
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My impression is in line with what Austin is saying. I note all the marks on the receiver belly are not in line with the wood and checkering condition. Having said that, let me say that I find it can be a downer to be a fussy collector with a critical eye. A, “trained eye” is often not a happy eye. Still, I’d rather have a trained eye than not. I do think it is a beautiful rifle and the wood is stunning. There’s a lot of rifle to be happy with. All the ammo is a big bonus.
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