Hi Greg, great topic for a new MR owner even if its one that many old hands have kinda given up on arguing over.
Much as i've read about the subject of dating CVA MR's and where their barrels were made and when....darned if i know. Lots of subject matter online about it but in the end i think much of it is heresay or opinions...which is all i have to add myself.
My current Mountain rifle was a Deercreek kit gun. It has no markings on the barrel at all, cept for ".45". Other than that nothing. This is the one i had kinda thought may have been made on the Douglas machines as its a newer gun, sold in the 90's i believe. Its a kinda odd rifle..the lock appears to be made of copper although its an alloy of some sort. The triggerguard is aluminum alloy and the stock was an obvious kit guns stock. The buttplate, patchbox and nosecone are similar to other late 70's or early 80's MR's..these were older parts that deercreek bought from CVA i think. The gun is a hodgepodge of parts it seems. Its a favorite shooter though, came from a friend and when refinished in brown and truoil turned out to be a looker.
All the other CVA's i've had were numbered, lettered, stamped and marked. These were guns from the later 70's to the late 80's. I believe all of them were spanish barreled..one was the 1st generation "made in USA" model with the double fingered guard and octagon thimbles, 4 screw patchbox etc.. even this one i now question as having a Douglas barrel. I used to be certain it was.
One thing for sure, nothing wrong with those spanish barrels, both the 1st and 2nd generation guns are shooters, a fantastic designed rifle. The slow twist makes them perfect for roundballs and i've not heard many (or any?) complain about their Mountain Rifle. My .45 has been my go-to for 2 deer seasons now and even though i've messed around with many other various 70-80's production rifles i've not found a single one (maybe one) i'd rather carry in the woods, admire and drop the hammer on. Hope you enjoy yours as much as i have mine. Jeff.
