I had an interesting experience at Cabela's in Montana today.

They had a very high condition Winchester 23 Heavy Duck on the pre-owned rack there, manufactured in the mid-80's (?) in Japan. I've watched them slash the price on it since I first noticed it about six months ago.

Well I bought it today for just a bit over $1K. Part of the reason they were willing to deal is it has genuine ivory bead sights. Does it? According to the manager there, Cabelas has a new policy to not buy any guns, new or used, with ivory sights, grips or inlay. Apparently they won't even advertise one already in their inventory online in their Gun Library because they refuse to ship ivory interstate now as well.

So look for what they have in stores dressed with ivory, realizing you might be able to dicker a little harder than usual....

Since when did a Winchester Heavy Duck Model 23 come with real ivory sights? Are you sure it's real ivory?

Maybe someone here knows more about the restrictions on Ivory that I. If so, please enlighten us.

But I believe that the Ivory bans use a cutoff date of 1990.

Since these guns we are interested in were made well before that, there should be no concern.

the issue is the new regulations

http://www.fws.gov/international/travel-and-trade/ivory-ban-questions-and-answers.html


note the comment "We expect that this action will include a proposal to prohibit interstate commerce in African elephant ivory."

as I understand it - the certification for preban ivory can cost up to $1500 to acquire, prohibitive for the bead on a shotgun

this results in policies such as

http://jamesdjulia.com/pdf/James_D_Julia-Ivory_Position_Statement_09.29.14.pdf

Notice the complete absence of qualification criteria for firearms products such as pistol grips. As far as I'm concerned; this is just one more attempt at back door gun control and harassment of collectors by the current "administration".
I also suspect that many antique pistols with ivory grips will just remain off the market until more sensible heads prevail here.
Jim

all burden of proof is on the seller


guilty until proven innocent (by yourself)

Many if not most users of (small) ivory transitioned from elephant ivory to walrus ivory long ago because of costs rather than environmental efforts. It is also supposed to be more resistant to yellowing. My Winchester 23 had a genuine plastic white bead.

Very well bought!

Hey Osterhous are you going to show us pix of those twisted Pa rifle butt plates from the other thread ?

Isn't it a bit hypocritical for Grouse Guy to celebrate getting a good deal on a gun that contains "genuine ivory bead sights"?

After all, Grouse Guy is the same person who dumped reams of junk science links supporting the banning of lead shot on us a few years ago. What kind of person wants to see all lead ammunition banned to supposedly protect wildlife, yet would buy a gun that contains ivory sights?