[stumpstalker]

Bill:

I see that on the Winchester Collectors Forum there has been some leavening in responses to your Al Biesen M70 Winchester rifle.

That group appears to have the same debates over there relating to originality purism, restoration, customization and the impact on desirability of provenance.

Here is part of a post by Louis L., one who does appreciate your new acquisition:

“…. I'm sure you've noted that we frequently end up discussing "restoration" work on antique lever guns (itself a form of "custom" work). The purists HATE it, but some like having a rifle that looks like they imagine it did when new. To each his own... IMHO it should all be "allowable" and not provoke critical comment. Again, just my "take"...”

He also revealingly adds that the majority of collectors on that Forum are focused on pre-1899 lever-action rifles, which many collectors might have assumed to be just another subset.

I count ten books in the case a few feet away from me that are written either by or about Jack O’Connor. I would not be surprised if all of them had references to the work of Al Biesen.

That is a fine-looking, and I would say an historic rifle you have acquired.