Ever since I had one of my receivers factory fitted with a 45/70 barrell and I discovered how much fun it was to shoot and hunt with the big bore rifle I have considered another 45/70 better suited to target work.
Today at a gun show in Greenville,SC I looked at a lot of 45/70 Springfield trapdoors that were in the $700 to $1200 price range.I went thru the whole showand bought dies,powder,brass,bullets and a loading block to start reloading 45/70.
Stopped by a friend's table and chatted with him and then decided to go thru part of the show one more time.I don't know how I missed it the first time but suddenly on one of the tables I saw the familiar shape of an NEF.
Long barrell,Williams aperature sights,big bore.Oh crap! That's a Buffalo Classic.No way I could afford that but decided to stop and look anyway.Picked it up.It looked like brand new.Not a scratch on the stock or metal.
Opened the breech and looked at a mirror perfect bore.Oh man,it felt sooo good!I decided to stop myself right then by looking at the price tag.The guy at the table was telling me that he was selling it for a friend who only fired it a few times and couldn't stand the recoil.I turned the tag over to see the bad news that would make me lay it back down and go on my merry way just happy to have seen and held it.$275!!!I would have hated to have taken my blood pressure right then because they would have called 911 and had the boys haul me right off.
OK,here's the time to be cool.Hands are sweating.BAD!!Laid it back down and looked at something else not really seeing it and keeping the BC in the corner of my eye.Calmly asked the guy what was his best price on the "old Harrington&Richardson".He said $250,I said DONE.It now resides in the safe next to it's smaller brother.This rifle really looks like brand new and I was pleased as punch to find it after considering the high priced anitques I had been looking at.I think I got a better rifle for a lot less money.Gotta love it when the plan comes together.Thanks to all you guys for turning me on to these great rifles.
Incidentally the serial number prefix is "HU".Where can I find date of manufacture?