mawkie
C&R Whisperer
-I've been dipping a toe into the sporting arms waters lately, acquiring items that speak to me. Hopped into the SAABaru with new GF to attend a central PA auction populated exclusively with 130 sporting arms that had a half dozen lots of interest to me (props to Nikki who was a trooper on her first gun auction with me, made for a long day and she never complained). Was hoping an auction in the hinterlands might yield some bargains.
-The first lot of interest was what I really came for: a Winchester 1903 but on inspection found it had been reblued. I was shocked to see it hammer for $700 and realized there was a lot of money in the room and it was gonna be a long afternoon if a humped Winnie 03 would fetch this much.
-Patiently waited and watched as lot after lot sold strong. These folk had money and spent it freely. There were more than a few expertly re-blued rifles that sold for crazy money. You really had to examine these lots in person, absentee bidding wouldn't be a good idea.
-The only surprise was a very rare Mossberg B42C Spiegel Catalog example, one of roughly 150 made, with factory M4 scope, which hammered for only $300. Seems deep pockets in the room were clueless over this one. I hated passing on it but was waiting for a Winchester 57 that was near the end of the catalog.
-A Colt Woodsman Target came along mid auction, with 1939 SN, in excellent condition. I was shocked when it struggled to get to the $600 hammer. Again, hated to pass but patience was the word.
-Next item of interest was a super nice Savage 19 NRA Match rifle with factory 10 round mag. By now we were only 20 lots from the end of the catalog and the room had thinned out significantly. Saw some nice target .22s go for a bit below market so I was hopeful. I've always wanted one of these since acquiring a much older 19 NRA many years ago. I decided to have a go at it and was successful, getting it for $100 under my $450 limit.
-Then the Winnie 57 came up and bidding went viral, I dropped out at $700 and I went home happy with the Savage. The search for a 57 goes on along with that for a 1903.
-Not much info on the Savage 19 NRA Match online and what I have found is a bit sketchy. One source claimed three variations with cock on close, 1/2 cock on open- 1/2 cock on close and above SN 45K cock on open. Well mine has a SN well above 45K and it's def. cock on open. But it's all factory stock and in fantastic nick. Bore is a mirror. The only finish wear on the butt plate.
-The first lot of interest was what I really came for: a Winchester 1903 but on inspection found it had been reblued. I was shocked to see it hammer for $700 and realized there was a lot of money in the room and it was gonna be a long afternoon if a humped Winnie 03 would fetch this much.
-Patiently waited and watched as lot after lot sold strong. These folk had money and spent it freely. There were more than a few expertly re-blued rifles that sold for crazy money. You really had to examine these lots in person, absentee bidding wouldn't be a good idea.
-The only surprise was a very rare Mossberg B42C Spiegel Catalog example, one of roughly 150 made, with factory M4 scope, which hammered for only $300. Seems deep pockets in the room were clueless over this one. I hated passing on it but was waiting for a Winchester 57 that was near the end of the catalog.
-A Colt Woodsman Target came along mid auction, with 1939 SN, in excellent condition. I was shocked when it struggled to get to the $600 hammer. Again, hated to pass but patience was the word.
-Next item of interest was a super nice Savage 19 NRA Match rifle with factory 10 round mag. By now we were only 20 lots from the end of the catalog and the room had thinned out significantly. Saw some nice target .22s go for a bit below market so I was hopeful. I've always wanted one of these since acquiring a much older 19 NRA many years ago. I decided to have a go at it and was successful, getting it for $100 under my $450 limit.
-Then the Winnie 57 came up and bidding went viral, I dropped out at $700 and I went home happy with the Savage. The search for a 57 goes on along with that for a 1903.
-Not much info on the Savage 19 NRA Match online and what I have found is a bit sketchy. One source claimed three variations with cock on close, 1/2 cock on open- 1/2 cock on close and above SN 45K cock on open. Well mine has a SN well above 45K and it's def. cock on open. But it's all factory stock and in fantastic nick. Bore is a mirror. The only finish wear on the butt plate.
