A big thanks to Josh and the staff at Julia's for packaging this one (Lot # 2063) extra tight, AND getting her delivered just in time for Xmas. Of course my FED-X guys are now sitting on an ice block but a few of my wife's Xmas cookies should ease their suffering.
Josh (as usual) was dead-on with his condition evaluation. Factory original,80% CC on the frame, most prominent in protected areas and on the under belly (lots of bones....little charcoal) with 95% barrel blue, thinning a bit on the sides, most likely from an over-sized Heike's protector. Trigger guard was nitre-blued at some point.
Single trigger (appears to be a Miller variant), 120" vent rib barrel with reinforcing lug, rings like the Cathedral of Notre Dame. "213" with an "11" just above it I assume is the unstruck barrel weight? Not sure on the choke (didn't have a dime handy) but a Bud tallboy fits snugly in the muzzle!
Thanks to Chuck for his quick turnaround on the factory letter! Luckily this one shipped to A+F before heading to Moscow so perhaps Bob Beach can add a bit more provenance. The Order Book states "fit with extra large recoil pad" ...."use heaviest frame available:For Panzer hunting in/around Stalingrad" , "balance just in front of hinge pin" and "pattern to place one large-ass pellet in a 30" circle at 2800 yds." Repair codes indicate she was returned to the factory in June of '42.
Honestly, I couldn't be happier. The perfect gift for the man who has everything (that is, after Penicillin). Plan to test fire her today, just a few rounds in the direction of that PIA neighbor who runs his lawn mower at 6 am on Saturdays. Thinking of bringing her to the New Year's Day shoot though five-stand may prove a bit expensive. She will definitely be at Hausmann's in June and I'm quite confident the Bo-Whoop trophy will be mine for the taking this year!
Dean: Sent you a PM regarding an article for PP's!
Merry Xmas to all and to all, a good night!!----Ansley H.
8 FR SNIP.JPG