canuck
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by canuck on Mar 1, 2009 11:47:07 GMT -5
I've always loved the clean lines of any well designed rifle and thought the gun must have been designed that way for a reason. Of course, when the surplus military rifles hit the market it was a simple matter of removing some excess wood, lopping off some unneeded barrel, maybe D & T for a scope and presto - cheap deer slayer! (Or perhaps experiments for shade-tree gunsmiths ) Anyway, in relevance to this forum, do you guys feel the addition of period tang sights, sling swivels, etc. detract from (or add to?) the value of our beloved 8/81s? Personally, when I am considering a purchase of these guns, originality is king and although I don't necassarily feel the addition of a period correct tang sight to be the work of "Bubba", I do think the value of the gun is decreased because of it. What do you say? I start this thread because of a couple of guns I am dealing on right now - I am thinking (and trying to convince the sellers) that these rifles would have been worth more in there factory form. A model 81 I am considering (Redfield peep,rear leaf MIA,sling attachments) and a FN 1900 I am trying to purchase (tang sight) PS I'm not sure this is the proper place for this discussion, so please feel free to move it if needed.
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Post by supersporter40 on Mar 2, 2009 0:31:38 GMT -5
First things first.........are you gonna get me that box of Norma 9,3's in the second pic? LOL
IMHO if the factory hole is used to add on the peep/aperture/iron sight whatever you call it then it adds value. If they add holes to put a scope mount on or the dreaded sling swivels [and the all time favorite compass inlay] then it hurts the value. Unless of course you like the mods added then pay accordingly. I will hazard a guess you are more for collecting by the guns pictured and therefore need to burst their bubble in a polite manner and get them to understand just how it's gonna be...........
You find these up here? FN sure is nice! Is the screw in the FN bolt knob OEM?
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Post by 81police on Mar 2, 2009 2:01:58 GMT -5
I'm in almost total agreement with SuperSporter. I think for collecting, any holes in a receiver (bar the FBI issue 81 w/ Lyman 41) decrease the value of a rifle. On the other hand someone purchasing a rifle soley for hunting might think an 8/81 with a nice scope mount and vintage scope would be worth more via functionality. I reckon it depends on what the rifle is intended for but tapped receiver holes sure are ugly Oh and btw, that FN looks pretty good, I hope the deal works out! The creme de la creme.
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tbury
Full Member
Posts: 126
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Post by tbury on Mar 2, 2009 7:36:48 GMT -5
I think the peep sights that use the rear OEM screw hole add value. Holes in the side or top of the receiver reduce value for me. Sling swivels may detract, it depends on what they look like and if they are appropriate to the era of the gun, but I really do not like them. Missing factory sights always lower value. However I have one with a Dockendorf front sight attracted me for its uniqueness even though it was an early 50s add-on. I really do not like scopes on these guns. JMHO
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canuck
Junior Member
Posts: 59
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Post by canuck on Mar 2, 2009 19:09:42 GMT -5
First things first.........are you gonna get me that box of Norma 9,3's in the second pic? LOL You find these up here? FN sure is nice! Is the screw in the FN bolt knob OEM? Yes, both from BC gunshops. I'm not sure if that screw is original or not (doesn't really look right in the pic does it) it is quite similar, if not the same, however to the FN 1900 I have now. Do you want me to inquire about the ammo? Is it hard to come by? I'll post some pics 81, if I end up with it. They are asking a tad bit more than I am willing to pay right now - but I'm working on them I agree tbury, no scopes for me on these old girls either!
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Post by mule on Mar 2, 2009 22:09:48 GMT -5
Just box that FN up and send it to Texas...... ;D
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 13, 2009 15:50:25 GMT -5
Purely from a collector's standpoint, any sight or feature that was not part of the rifle when it left the factory detracts from its overall value, regardless of the quality. It must be remembered, however, that a dizzying array of sights (barrel-mounted, tang-mounted and receiver-mounted) and other 'non-standard' features (including sling swivels) were available from the factory, if the customer was willing to pay.
Personally, I take each on its own merits. If it looks correct for the period, and 'factory' quality of installation is evident then such features do not detract from the rifle in my eyes. Rather, it adds character, setting it apart from the 'run-of-the-mill', and gives an insight into the mind of the sportsmen of years long since passed.
As always, though, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you like it, who is to question that?
By the way, both the 81 and the 1900 in your photos are fine looking rifles. I wouldn't kick either of them out of the gunsafe!
Jim
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