Gun purchase

Anyone know anything about this rifle? Only one pic, I am going to look at it in a few hours.

 

I bought it for $75. It is a Connecticut Valley Arms .32 cal. blackpowder rifle. Marked "squirrel" on the barrel. The wood is in great shape and overall it's in very good condition.

 

Can you put up a pic? Facebook link says unavailable, and I don't have FB anyway. Gun sounds cool though, $75 for what you bought sounds like a great deal.

 

As long as the barrel isn't rusted and pitted to shit, might be a good buy. Flint or cap?

 

The wood looks great, the barrel has some rust but is minor. You can't feel the rust, it should clean up great.

 

Looks like a cool find. Do you plan on using it as a wall hanger or shooting it?

 

Probably as a wall hanger, it's the cap type also. I would like to find out how old it is.

 

If I remember correctly, the CVA's Squirrel rifles were mostly produced in the 70's and 80's. I could be wrong, though, since all of the gun sites are work are blocked so I can't confirm my hunch. CVA's still in business; if you can find a serial # they can probably give you a date of manufacture.

Edit: It looks like a nice piece, though. I'd have dropped $75 on it.

 

The first two numbers on the serial number are "83". Maybe a 1983 model??

 

Not real old probably. But you still got a good deal. I've seen a lot of those CVA .32s for sale closer to $200.

 

As a wall hanger I would be tempted to leave the rust personally. I love the look of antique firearms like that. May just be me. Either way I would contact CVA to see if you can't figure out when it was made and see what's up with it.

 

That is very nice. It's worth that much even just for a wall decoration.

 

I do believe that Connecticut Valley Arms places the last two numbers of the serial numbers as the year of manufacture...keep in mind the squirrel was discontinued in 1994...however you can purchase replacement barrels.

all you have to do is push out the flat retaining pin, lift the barrel up and reverse the process to re-install a new barrel. I would also replace the nipple. here is the recommended load/ ball size and powder to use: 15 to 40 grains of 3f or pyrodex pistol .310 roundball

 

The last two numbers are "87".

 

Fairly certain that the guns CVA was selling during the 70's and 80's were imported from Spain & Italy, weren't they?

 

that is correct, the brass frame made them less desirable..where it gets to a PITA is if it is a "kit gun" and there will be no date markings what so ever but on a real one there a small square on the breach with either letters or numbers. once you have those then you can really narrow it down

 

I think you're right. Imported thru the pedersoli company maybe?

 

fair market price for a gun like this in perfect condition is in the 150 ballpark.....have the guy run a patch down the barrel...it should come out immaculate and do the same for the nipple but thats only if you are going to shoot it