Big Bore Mountain Rifles

[swathdiver]

Are the Big Bore Mountain Rifles, the .54s and .58s in the same serial sequence as the .45s and .50s?

Is my history correct in that the latter two came out in late 1975 and were first listed in the '76 catalog? When did the Big Bore rifles first show up?

 

[redneck]

whatmake r u reffering to

 

[Black Jack]

whatmake r u reffering to

Sounds like CVA. The Big Bore Mountain Rifle was one of their specific models.

 

[necchi]

Member Walks Alone has been collecting data on the CVA MR for years, and started a couple threads a few years ago, great compilation of info.
Your answer if found in this topic; 1979 http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/239569/post/775431/hl//fromsearch/1/

And here's another with more info; http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/239421/post/773823/hl//fromsearch/1/

 

[swathdiver]

Yes, CVA, sorry.

Necchi- I've poured over those links and some others and don't see anything about the serials being together.

While the Big Bore is mentioned in the '79 catalog, there's no mention of the '78 and what was in it either.

Recently acquired a couple, one .54 has low numbers with round thimbles. It's number is lower than the 4 screw .50 cal.

 

[swathdiver]

Field and Stream Ad - August 1978 for CVA Rifles (pg 117)

Well, here's an ad for the Mountain Rifle in 1978 and there's no mention of the larger calibers.

Anyhow, back to those serials...

 

[necchi]

That's the thing about serial numbers.
They don't always start at #1 and move along sequentially.
In the Case of the Mountain Rifle they did have #1 and 2,, there was a gent here that got them from an estate auction in un-fired condition.

But serial #'s can be a date, an order#, a machine or line or even an individual assembler at the plant.
They switched building the MR from the USA for the first few 100, over to Spain, and Deer Creek made some of the original MR and still make a copy of it,,
Having a low number I guess is proof that it's an older one but the list of when/where and how has been long lost, even many of those that were at the beginning of the CVR MR has since past and the info is gone with them.

We've been trying for years to find links or data and no-one has yet, :idunno:
Good luck, if you find something let us know.

 

[swathdiver]

Just saw an ad in a 1978 Shooting Times for the Mountain Rifle showing a 4-screw patchbox for sale. It was a page for sale on ebay.

 

[Rusty_Nail]

So what is the story of a 45 cal. flint barrel Mt. Rifle that has a serial number in the 72000's, doesn't have "Made in USA" on it, but also doesn't have "Spain" anywhere on the barrel, or inside the lock for that matter.

And the lock is one of the better CVAs with a bridle overtop the tumbler, sear, and sear spring screws.

Spanish made? Or USA?

 

[swathdiver]

It could be one of the later ones. I received 1985 and 1990 CVA catalogs in the mail today. Curiously the Mountain rifle is not in the '85 catalog but two versions are listed in the 1990, one with a chrome lined bore and walnut stock and the standard select hardwood.

Does your .45 have a patch box? If so, how many screws?

 

[Rusty_Nail]

Two.

 

[Rusty_Nail]

Also has the 6-sided thimbles.

 

[swathdiver]

I've read that the tell all are the amount of screws on the patchbox which if true would indicate that yours was made in Spain but curiously wears those earlier thimbles, a transition perhaps?