CVA Mountaineer sidelock

[vervillev]

I recently acquired a CVA "Mountaineer" sidelock in a trade. It is a Hawken style rifle, 26" Barrell, 1/48 twist 50 caliber with wood stock. Nice finish with brass trigger guard, single trigger, brass buttplate and made in Spain. Does anyone have any info on about when it was made and if it was possibly a gun made for Cabela's, Bass Pro, etc. Thanks for any replies!

 

[Justin.44]

I had to look that model up, from what I see it looks very similar to my CVA Frontier, though my barrel is 24". I have no info on when it may have been made, but if it's anything like mine (and has been cared for) it should be a good shooter. Got pics? Here's one of my Frontier. -Justin

 

[deermanok]

I'm pretty sure it was not made for Cabela's or Basspro. Their brand of rifle is made by Investa Arms of Italy.
Your rifle, made by CVA, is probably from the 70's or 80's would be my guess.
If in good condition, should be a good shooter for you.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I recently acquired a CVA "Mountaineer" sidelock in a trade. It is a Hawken style rifle, 26" Barrell, 1/48 twist 50 caliber with wood stock. Nice finish with brass trigger guard, single trigger, brass buttplate and made in Spain. Does anyone have any info on about when it was made and if it was possibly a gun made for Cabela's, Bass Pro, etc. Thanks for any replies!

You should have an Italian Proof date stamp on the barrel. Look for a PN and box with 2 letters. That will identify the year the rifle was proofed.

 

[Justin.44]

Actually @Grenadier1758, correct me if I'm wrong but, being a Spanish made barrel, I believe the way to determine the date is the first two letters of the serial number. That's what I found out when looking mine up. The first two digits should be offset from the rest, mine says 88.

 

[vervillev]

I'll have to post pics when I finish my shift. The gun is in excellent condition and it is finished beautifully in wood and brass. The lock is good and barrel shines in the land and grooves. Barrel measures 26 inches. Looks a lot like the Frontier pictured. I will post pics when I get off work. I traded a .22 semi for the smokepole and didn't look back. I'm not new to black powder having owned Thompson Center sidelocks in the past. I always thought that the CVA's were real nice guns with good barrels but never saw one like this Mountaineer rifle. Pics coming and thanks for the replies!

 

[Grenadier1758]

Thank you, @Justin.44, for the correction.

 

[user 48679]

I believe the way to determine the date is the first two letters of the serial number.

The first two digits should be offset from the rest, mine says 88.

Same for my CVA Premier Grade Mountain Rifle.

 

[vervillev]

Pics-

 

[Dave Dworshak]

thanks for the info guys. I just got a mountaineer .50 fixer upper for the grandson. he needs a project and starter rifle.

 

[Hermit Tim]

I'll have to post pics when I finish my shift. The gun is in excellent condition and it is finished beautifully in wood and brass. The lock is good and barrel shines in the land and grooves. Barrel measures 26 inches. Looks a lot like the Frontier pictured. I will post pics when I get off work. I traded a .22 semi for the smokepole and didn't look back. I'm not new to black powder having owned Thompson Center sidelocks in the past. I always thought that the CVA's were real nice guns with good barrels but never saw one like this Mountaineer rifle. Pics coming and thanks for the replies!

Yep, I would have made that trade too...

 

[rafterob]

The Mountaineer, Bobcat and Frontier were all similar but slightly different. I had a mountaineer I picked up hoping to use it for my Grandson. The barrel was pitted and even after much attempted polishing would foul so bad after a few shots it was not worth the effort.

 

[Dave Dworshak]

The mountaineer I got looks like pitting in the barrel too. Well, it’s a project anyway. Hopefully it will work.