Hi all,
I have been keeping an eye on a gorgeous custom rifle made by "Frontier Gunshop" out of Lafayette, CA, presumably in the 60's/70's. The rifle has been sitting in a pawn shop in Washington state for a while now. From the research I have done, the rifle was likely built by Kurt O. Haase, who reportedly trained a couple notable gunsmiths, and as evidenced by this rifle, did exceptional work. The stock is just phenomenal. The rifle is identical to the one shown in the link below, except this one has a Jaeger trigger, slightly larger cheekpiece, Redfield mounts and a 2.5-8x40 Bausch and Lomb which unfortunately looks to have lost some reticle. The gun also has about a square centimeter of minor checkering damage on the rear grip, and the classic "someone tried to insert an uncocked bolt into a Mauser 98" chip just behind the action (quite minor).
Now - help me decide! The shop is looking for USD $900. Obviously the exchange rate stings heavily right now. When it comes to purchases like these, I try to focus on maintaining value. I ask myself "If I ever needed the money, could I easily flog this for what I paid or more?" Shootability of course, is another issue, with the ever shrinking supply of 7x61 S&H, as well as the expensive dies.
Opinions?
I have been keeping an eye on a gorgeous custom rifle made by "Frontier Gunshop" out of Lafayette, CA, presumably in the 60's/70's. The rifle has been sitting in a pawn shop in Washington state for a while now. From the research I have done, the rifle was likely built by Kurt O. Haase, who reportedly trained a couple notable gunsmiths, and as evidenced by this rifle, did exceptional work. The stock is just phenomenal. The rifle is identical to the one shown in the link below, except this one has a Jaeger trigger, slightly larger cheekpiece, Redfield mounts and a 2.5-8x40 Bausch and Lomb which unfortunately looks to have lost some reticle. The gun also has about a square centimeter of minor checkering damage on the rear grip, and the classic "someone tried to insert an uncocked bolt into a Mauser 98" chip just behind the action (quite minor).
Now - help me decide! The shop is looking for USD $900. Obviously the exchange rate stings heavily right now. When it comes to purchases like these, I try to focus on maintaining value. I ask myself "If I ever needed the money, could I easily flog this for what I paid or more?" Shootability of course, is another issue, with the ever shrinking supply of 7x61 S&H, as well as the expensive dies.
Opinions?
thanks guys. The hunt opportunity was a retirement gift so to speak, from my guides and hunting partners who also happen to be my Daughter & Son In Law.
.
