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December 31, 2012
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A good friend of mine went to the Tulsa Show. On the way out the door, he spotted a nice A5 on a table. He made a quick deal with the seller and got it for $450. He called last night and asked if I had an interest in it, and I told him for $450 it would look good on my early M52. He said, I will make you a box and send it to you. Free. Cannot argue with this gentleman. It will go on my 1926 M52 with the stainless bbl. Thanks again Herb. Big Larry
Nice acquisition Big Larry. I’m sure it will look awesome on your m52.
RickC
[email protected] said
That’s a good friend! Congrats!
I guess he is. Big Larry if you meant free box & shipping that’s a good friend, if you meant free including the A5 scope, that’s a really really good friend.
December 31, 2012
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RickC said
I guess he is. Big Larry if you meant free box & shipping that’s a good friend, if you meant free including the A5 scope, that’s a really really good friend.
Yes, all free. I have known this gentleman for over 30 years and have never met him. You should see what he has given me over the years. Of course, I have reciprocated with things of my own, but a better friend I have never had. He is up there with my buddy Tom. Big Larry
December 31, 2012
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I found some pics of my boxed A5. Big Larry
Big Larry that is a very nice piece. Amazing actually in my eyes and with the box. And once again a great friend.
RickC
November 1, 2013
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Box is just about as flimsy as a cerel box, which accounts partially for their low survival rate. Yet it was common in the period before WWI to package ordinary household items much less expensive than this, like cigars, cheese, etc. in nice wooden boxes.
December 31, 2012
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clarence said
Box is just about as flimsy as a cerel box, which accounts partially for their low survival rate. Yet it was common in the period before WWI to package ordinary household items much less expensive than this, like cigars, cheese, etc. in nice wooden boxes.
Cereal. I think it is made of pressed paper, but it has a great, readable label. 9-9 date. I presume that is 1909? Big Larry
November 1, 2013
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Big Larry said
Cereal. I think it is made of pressed paper, but it has a great, readable label. 9-9 date. I presume that is 1909? Big Larry
Larry, I’ll take your word for it–I quit eating the stuff over 40 yrs ago.
But that 9-9 label date is interesting, because the earliest ad I’ve seen was in the June, 1910 Outers’ Book (probably the best sporting mag of the time). In that ad, it was shown in the #1 mounts. It also appeared in the general catalog for the first time in 1910.
The label on my box is dated 7-20, otherwise the same, except the markings for power, etc., are in a different font.
December 31, 2012
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Well, at least we know 2 boxes survived. A friend just made me a custom box for my early Fecker. Looks like a Lyman box. Big Larry
Make that 3 boxes survived. I just picked up a new in the box A5 and interestingly it has the same 1258 number on the lower left and also a 9-9 on the lower right on the end of the box the same as Larry’s. I think I read somewhere that the first run of these was 1500 scopes. Maybe all in the first run had the 9-9 on them whether it was actually a date or not? My box is in poor condition with plenty of scotch tape on it. Very faint and very hard to see but also the red enamel in the graduations.
November 1, 2013
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[email protected] said
Make that 3 boxes survived.
I’ve seen a few others, but let’s hope the forgers making up all those other factory boxes, tags, & papers, don’t try to increase the “survival rate.” The scope box is so cheaply constructed it shouldn’t be hard to fake. The scotch tape is your proof of originality!
I’d interpret the 1258 as a design no. & the other as a date that wouldn’t have been changed until it became necessary to make a new run of boxes.
December 31, 2012
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As for the red knobs, I have seen many A5’s and not one had white graduations. The new Lyman 5A does have the white grads. Still awaiting word on the free A5. The box is done, but his good friend has first dibs on the scope. Big Larry
November 1, 2013
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Big Larry said
As for the red knobs, I have seen many A5’s and not one had white graduations.
The late production ones do. After WWI, sales began to decline due, esp. after Feckers came on the market in ’22, so it makes sense that the reds outnumber the whites.
December 31, 2012
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clarence said
Big Larry said
As for the red knobs, I have seen many A5’s and not one had white graduations.The late production ones do. After WWI, sales began to decline due, esp. after Feckers came on the market in ’22, so it makes sense that the reds outnumber the whites.
Yep. My early Fecker #619 has Winchester grasshopper mounts, and the thimbles are red. Just saying I have never seen one with white thimbles. Thanks for the info Clarence. Big Larry
