I bought the Model 12 I alluded to last week at an estate sale. Even though it turned out to be a y series gun, I'm a sucker for custom engraved guns. This one does not appeared to be signed. The engraving is 100% coverage. The stock has some fine checkering with oak leaves at the pistol grip and a few running down the forend. It also has seven silver inlays; dog and three birds on one side of the action and a dog and two birds on the other side of the action. Based on the serail # y2005xxx, I figure the gun was made in 1972. It does have the factory (I believe) orginal red pad.
My guestions are, first, are the silver inlays sterling silver or could they be platinum as they have no tarnish. Second, I know that the gun was likely an after market custom job, but is there a chance it could have been a factory custom job? The action does have a distinct purple color, however, I have decided that it was the result of the reblue after the engraving and I will live with it as the blue on the total gun is about 98%. The gun has a vent rib with a 30 inch barrel. Since I paid about what I feel the gun was worth without the custom work I do not believe I came out too bad.
Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Max
