A bit of a back story here: when I was 17 years old I bought my first centerfire rifle. Living in the MidWest I used my Grandpa’s Model 94...But I had had been reading Jack O’conner since was 12 and wanted a bolt gun. I wanted a .270 Remington MDL 700...but the local gun store (Marathon gas station/Sporting Goods) had a MDL ADL 700 .308 on a great sale price - BUT sitting right next to it was nice new Browning Safari 30-06! I lusted over the Safari, however I had just bought my 1969 Camaro SS and my date/gas fund was pretty low - hence I purchased the ADL.
But I always wanted that Browning. I looked for years for a like new one at a reasonable price point. In mean time I did find a very nice 1954 MDL ‘94 without a screw touched, but has appropriate scabbard wear.
I had no idea but a very good friend of mine that I didn’t know at the time brought the pictured Safari 30-06 that he bought new when I was 17...He shot it 3 times and put it in his safe after a thorough cleaning. He asked me if I wanted to buy it!?!!!
It does have few very small handling marks but otherwise appears unfired and is at least 99%. Being a 69 dated rifle I was concerned about it being a “salt” stock since it is European walnut (most went through this hurried drying process through the early ‘70’s). But it is 100% clean and escaped that dumb process.
But I always wanted that Browning. I looked for years for a like new one at a reasonable price point. In mean time I did find a very nice 1954 MDL ‘94 without a screw touched, but has appropriate scabbard wear.
I had no idea but a very good friend of mine that I didn’t know at the time brought the pictured Safari 30-06 that he bought new when I was 17...He shot it 3 times and put it in his safe after a thorough cleaning. He asked me if I wanted to buy it!?!!!
It does have few very small handling marks but otherwise appears unfired and is at least 99%. Being a 69 dated rifle I was concerned about it being a “salt” stock since it is European walnut (most went through this hurried drying process through the early ‘70’s). But it is 100% clean and escaped that dumb process.
