The reality is that what you found was a 'CAS special'; one that from the looks of the buttstock's missing chunks may now be in an improved condition from what it was before the bbl. 'bob' & chrome job. Who knows .. or cares? There are unfortunately numbers of guns that suffer from floods, fires, neglect or other substantive degrading influences that we may lump under the term 'attrition'. That is what makes the discerning buyer &/or collector sit up & pay attention when a desirable gun is found in good or better condition. And it is just that, the condition, that causes it to have higher value. Rarity &/or sentiment can sometimes cause restorative costs that are monetarily not justifiable, but the 'patron' derives sufficient satisfaction nonetheless. That's good; otherwise, who would keep the carriage trade craftsmen alive and able to pursue their craft?
Anyway, that gun belongs to some wannabe CAS shooter who is in need of some flash. You can & will do much better to keep looking. The best bang for the buck is still quite likely an early 70's SKB model 100. Find one in decent mechanical condition & restock or have it bent to something close to your needs and you are SET! Andrew McFarlane is one guy who is close [Southlake] & can do that sort of thing within reason.
You have received a LOT of well thot and experiened advice already. Do not regret that one getting away.
Should this read remotely pompous, it ain't meant that way;-)
Best, tw
addendum: There are known instances of acid causing catastrophic failures in hardened steel. Personally, I'd NEVER go there.
Last edited by tw; 08/02/11 10:24 PM. Reason: addendum
