wunbe said:
Why the aversion to red pads? The black pads are no more useful as actual recoil absorbers and the red pads harken back to classic British hunting rifles! And the early #1s usually had nicer wood, adjustable triggers, and far more expert fit and finish than you see today.
The date of origin and condition described puts it in the highly collectible, rare-ish, realm but I can't say what the current state of play would be. What were they asking for it? If you plan to hunt it, consider it could lose value with any new signs of wear and tear.
wunbe
I don't have an aversion to the red recoil pad and referenced it only as a visual tell that distinguished it as an older model whose condition belies its age. The other points you mention are all true - fully adjustable trigger, nicer figured wood and not the "way over proud" fit to the receiver.
The shop owes me about $400.00 for a consignment recently sold on my behalf. We haven't settled on a price for the No1B. Blue Book puts it about $950.00 with no distinction made for early years, but of course real world trumps that I suppose. There's a "red pad" No1B in 6mm Remington on GB now @ $1K collecting no bids. I'm thinking maybe another $600.00 seals the deal?
The rifle will be used for range shooting only and probably no hunting. Back & forth in a gun case. My other No1s are 220 Swift, 375 H&H and 458. None of those are used for casual range shooting, would be nice to have something I have plenty of ammo for, or could use store bought if I didn't particularly feel like reloading for every time I go shooting.
