Gentlemen:
I would certainly welcome your opinions and critique on the following rifle that just ended on Gunbroker.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=482720078 The sellers description is as follows:
"This is a really rare HOFFMAN ARMS 30/60 Express rifle authenticated by the late Michael Petrov. Michael said it was made in 1926 or 1927 thus being unmarked by Hoffman. Stated that the fine metal work being done by James Howe when he left G&H to work for Hoffman and the stock by John Dubele. The barrel has 3 folding leaf sights and a full length ramped rib. Bore and chamber are good. A Lyman 48 long slide rear sight and a very rare Griffin & Howe SINGLE LEVER scope mount that needs a little fitting to go on the mount. The original was lost in time and this replacement is really close to a fit."
My description begins:
The serial number is 1271992, so it dates from about April or May 1926. The rifle fits into a batch of National Match rifles (SRS lists 15 NM rifles from 1271970 to 1271998, including 990 and 994). The bolt has the distinctive NM and Sporter polishing patterns, and the serial number electropenciled on it.. The rifle is completely unmarked as to maker, and only has the added numbers 30.06 on the left side of the chamber, and 6. on the top of the single lever G&H base. The barrel and chamber area certainly looks like a Hoffman, as does the front sight hood release button. The barrel has 6 groove rifling, a full rib that almost appears to be machined integrally with the barrel, and a 3 leaf express sight numbered 100 200 300. The G&H single lever mount is marked GRIFFIN & HOWE, INC. N.Y. PAT. APPL. FOR, and fits like a glove after I tapped one small nick back into place. The front edge of the magazine cut off is rounded to give a little extra clearance to the windage knob of the Lyman 48 rear sight. The stock work and checkering patterns are very similar to Hoffman #257 that John Mead had for sale a while back.
While taking everything the seller posted with a grain of salt, I do believe he had corresponded with Michael about this rifle maybe 15 or more years ago. Either he misunderstood Michael, OR Michael learned much more as the years progressed, while the seller retained some erroneous information. I know James V. Howe stayed in Cleveland when Hoffman moved to Ardmore in June of 1925, almost a year before this rifle was made, so obviously he didn't work on this rifle!
To me this rifle is very "Hoffmanesque" in it's appearance, but not quite Hoffman. I am leaning towards John Dubiel. I would certainly invite your thoughts and comments.
Thanks in advance!
