Although it makes me appear a bit long-in-the-tooth, I’ve been actively participating in the firearms market for nearly 40 years. In point of fact, I clearly remember attending my first gun show in March 1982 and being captivated by the process. I jumped right in, reserved my own table for the next show and set about risking the $400 or so my new bride and I had worked months to squirrel away.
During the process of buying whatever came up in the local newspaper, as long as it seemed to have $5 or $10 of table value remaining, I read everything about used gun pricing and pestered those willing to mentor about finding the path to success in this crowded arena. As you might imagine, the list of what to do and not to do was unique to each sage. About the only piece of advice these experienced traders had in common went something like this: “Don’t ever invest in a left-hand rifle. You’ll own it forever and won’t be able to give it away.”
I didn’t take that one to heart and have been forever grateful.
Even today, gunmakers generally don’t give left-hand (or left eye dominant) shooters their due. The reasons are many, but that isn’t the point up for discussion. The truth is that ignoring that long-ago advice has played a significant role in helping me build my business. Moreover, while many gun sellers knock down prices for left-hand rifles, I value them at least on par and maybe then some.
Today, I have a significant number of regular clients who shoot left-handed. They are constantly buying and selling, which usually keeps a goodly number of left-hand rifles in inventory. This cycle occasionally turns up something really special – a right hand bolt rifle converted to left hand operation. These rifles are fascinating for function as much as form, and often are the culmination of a hunter’s life-long dream. They don’t come along often, as their owner’s seldom part company. Here are three that happen to have come along at more or less the same time. Two of them have even passed through the hands of the Unrepentant Sinner, Charles Askins, Jr.
G&H number 2354 / Winchester serial 355049 is a most appealing example of the storied New York firm’s best efforts. The bolt handle has relocated to the port side, while the extractor and recontoured safety lever remain in their original positions and the bolt release has been replaced with a flat checkered button. Additionally, the tang appears to have been slightly recontoured and now hints of a cloverleaf. The 24-inch barrel has a hooded front ramp. The bolt body, extractor and follower are jeweled, and the bolt knob wears a bordered ring of positive checkering. The stock is accented with an ebony forend tip and 24 lines-per-inch wrap-around bordered checkering, steel grip cap and a checkered steel butt plate with widow’s peak. Blending of the shadow line, scalloped cheek rest and modest Monte Carlo is most properly executed. Weight, with mounts, is 8.4 pounds and length-of- pull is 13.8 inches. The bore is strong and bright, with the faintest suggestion of roughness (possibly tool marks) showing near the muzzle under magnification. Polished rust blue is in excess of 95 percent with thinning at the muzzle and a thin spot at the top of the barrel just ahead of the front ring. Wood finish/condition is well in excess of 90 percent, with some thinning, rubs and scattered impressions. The front sight blade is absent. This one is $5,000 plus shipping.
Colonel Charles Askins’ Griffin & Howe custom left-hand 8mm Remington Magnum. Based on a Remington Model 721B action with a left-hand bolt and safety conversion by Guise, G&H rifle number 2572 (serial number 346297) was gifted to Askins in 1982. Features include a 24-inch barrel, left-hand bolt and safety conversion, five-panel checkered and engraved bolt knob, jeweled bolt body/follower/rails and a tuned trigger. The stock wears an ebony forend tip, 24 lines-per-inch borderless wrap checkering, steel grip cap, cheek piece with shadow line and a steel butt plate with widow’s peak. Additional appointments include an engraved crossbolt, sling swivel studs and a Redfield base. A search of Griffin & Howe records indicates “…a note back on the datebook entry says: 1982 Converted to 8m/m Remington Magnum. Given Col. Charles Askins – American Rifleman.” In the way of markings, “No. 2572 Griffin & Howe . Inc . New York . NY.” and “8 m/m Rem. Mag.” appear on the barrel and “By Guise” shows on the right rear of the action. The bore is bright with sharp rifling. The polished blue stands well above 90 percent, with scattered light scratches and tarnish on the sling swivel studs, grip cap and butt plate. Wood is about 85 percent overall, with a significant impression on the left side of the forearm, a small repaired chip at the point of the upper tang, slight chipping at the edge of the pistol grip cap and some light spotting in the finish along the toe line. $4,000 plus shipping.
Colonel Charles Askins left hand Sako .25-308 Norma. A custom rifle based on a Sako L61R action with serial number 141, the bolt handle was relocated to the left side and a custom barrel added prior to stocking. The rifle is unmarked as to its maker, other than the initials “RB” appearing beside the caliber stamping on the barrel. Additional features include a 24-inch barrel, nickel bolt handle/knob, ebony forend tip and grip cap, well-executed borderless checkering, Monte Carlo comb and a scalloped cheekpiece with an accenting dart at its fore. A brass nameplate engraved “CHARLES ASKINS” is affixed to the stock just ahead of the floorplate. Weight is 8.4 pounds and length-of-pull is 13.5 inches. The bore is bright and shiny with strong rifling. The polished blue over the barrel and action is approximately 95 percent, with the nickel bolt handle showing at approximately 70 percent and the bottom metal approximately 80 percent with some scratching. The portion of the action where the right side was built up during conversion remains in the white. The oil-finished stock retains at least 90 percent of its original condition, with a number of field impressions, light scratches and a minor chip repair at the shoulder just ahead of the thumb safety. Several small blotchy spots appear on the stock where the finish has thinned, mostly on the cheek piece. Just $2,000 plus shipping.
There might be easier ways to build a left-hand rifle, but whoever commissioned these rifles wasn’t afraid to go the long way around the barn. Gotta admire that!
Dwight Van Brunt is Adventure Editor for Sporting Classics Magazine and owns Sportsman’s Legacy.com, a firm of his design that specializes in monetizing fine firearms for estates, collectors and conservation organizations. Visit sportsmanslegacy.com to review the complete inventory of firearms, sporting books, collectibles and accessories.
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