What's it worth: CVA Kentucky Rifle?

[Al Bently]

What's a CVA caplock Kentucky Rifle made in Spain in .50 worth? It was obviously built from a kit -- the finish could be a bit better but the metal is in top notch shape -- no rust or anything like that. It comes with a heavy-duty fiberglass cleaning rod (in addition to the wood rod resident on the rifle.)

It comes with a very nice suede bag with the frillies on it. I thought this rifle might be a good way to get my currently smokeless nephew addicted to smokepoles... Thanks much.

 

[rafterob]

$150, tops. They can often be had for $100-110.

 

[Al Bently]

$150, tops. They can often be had for $100-110.

The rod's another $20.00 and the sleeve is $50.00. Half of that (they are both used) is $35.00 so $135.00-$185.00 tops? Thanks much.

 

[bpd303]

They make excellent entry level guns and every one I have had were accurate (with the right loads). Next thing you know he will get a flintlock & no turning back from there. Depending on the area of the country they might go as much as $200 with the accessories.

 

[Zonie]

IMO a CVA Kentucky in almost brand new condition might go for $180 but a poorly built or poorly finished kit would be $150 tops.

If the finish was so bad that it needs to be stripped and totally redone I wouldn't give over $120 for it if it was in unfired condition.

 

[bpd303]

You are right if the availability is common. Around here they are scarce, so the price reflects that. I don't know about how easy they are to get in California. Most I've seen on Gunbroker start around $150 and go for more. The old thing of supply & demand.

 

[Rick Son]

I have two here in Ca. mostly find them at antique shops,paid 150 for my first one,got the other in trade but man so dry can't shoot them where i used to up in the hills..Once again we are burning up and it's like a dust bowl where i am..Was in the Sierras yesterday DRY!!!!!!

 

[Al Bently]

After closer inspection I suspect it's a factory built gun. The previous owner changed the length of pull on it by whacking off about an inch of the buttstock.

It's very comfortable for me despite having long arms and it facilitates a nice target shooting position. The bore and lock are pristine.

Even with the accouterments I paid much less than the numbers talked about on this thread. Thanks much for the input.

 

[bpd303]

:hatsoff: :hatsoff: The next step...pictures & range report. :wink:

 

[bubba.50]

just an observation. to my eyes the biggest drawback to these guns is that butt-ugly two-piece stock. seems like as many of these otherwise pretty nice guns as there are around, one of the stock companies woulda come up with a decent one-piece drop-in replacement for them.

 

[Zonie]

IMO, it's kinda hard to sell a stock that costs $100 to make and sells for $150-$200 to folks who own a $140 rifle.

Like it or not, the parts from a $140 rifle mounted in a $180 stock will still only be worth about $150.

 

[bubba.50]

I pretty much agree with what ya say. like I said, it's just an observation. I've been tempted to buy one of these things numerous times when seein' them at gunshows for give-away prices but, I just can't get past that joint in the middle of the stock. and to make that even worse, 1/2 the time the two pieces don't even look like they are from the same species of wood much less the same tree.

 

[Black Jack]

There is an excellent, lengthy and well illustrated thread on this forum on reworking this rifle. Resulted in a slim and very pretty gun. If you do a little searching you will see the potential your CVA Kentucky has.

 

[Al Bently]

Thanks, I will look for it.

 

[necchi]

Here's an older model I did,
I didn't go into a lot of detail, but I think the biggest improvements were gluing the stock sections solid and removing wood to reshape the stock.
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/269225/post/1145359/hl//fromsearch/1/

 

[Rick Son]

If it will feed ya,it's worth it's weight in Gold!

Or lead :hatsoff:

 

[Zonie]

Speaking of the two piece forestock, Ole' Joe Meek reportedly took his rifle, "Ole' Sally to Oregon when he quit trapping.

For years, it was on display at some museum up there.

That rifle, with its backaction lock has a 2 piece forestock quite like the CVA/Traditions Kentucky.

I'm not saying I'm fond of these stocks, but it isn't totally incorrect.

 

[Katahdin]

I have one,, like it for what it is!!!!! Here's another take ,,remove the front half of the stock,,move the nose cap back and reattach it at the nose of the butt stock at the break,,some wood work done here,,pocket knife and file,now if you cut the barrel off to what ever length fits a Grandchild,the LOP is about correct for a child on mine, you have a friend to go shoot with!!!!!!!
I did some of the above,but I left the barrel full length,might shorten it later!!!!!