L46 Hornet Wingsaftey on Gunbroker

[stonecreek]

https://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=128315787

It's an old one alright, and not in bad condition. It appears to have the flame-stained birch (or beechwood) stock of the early models, with the long-taper round foreend. Too bad that some Cretin drilled and tapped the dovetails to take a Weaver base! Don't know what it will go for, but outside of the illegitimate scope bases, it looks like an otherwise original example of an early L46.

 

[hayseed51]

Man, those bases are just heartbreaking. I may not be able to sleep tonight...

Stonecreek, are you thinking that is the original barrel then? In my limited experience, I've never seen an old one with the caliber stamped axially like that - doesn't seem to be any of the normal inspection marks either. Guess I haven't ever seen one with that little step on the barrel in front of the chamber either.

Curious, Dick

 

[stonecreek]

Good catch, Hayseed! I think there is reason to believe it is not the original barrel.