"FN Sporter in .270 Win."..."four digit serial number", the ad started..."100% original condition"...the only negative was that the front site hood was missing. I knew it was drilled and tapped, because the fellow said it had a one piece Redfield base on it. So I sent the money.

The gun came, and I opened the package. So far so good; the wood is nice....bore is bright, and throat and crown look fine....obviously reblued, but the markings are all sharp and clear...black recoil pad where the FN bakelite butt plate belongs, but I have an original to replace it with...but as I eyed up that Redfield base, and saw where the screws were situated, my heart started to sink.

Grabbed the allen wrench, and with great trepidation backed out the screws (obviously Lock-tited)...and felt the nausea set in. Not two, but three screw holes Black & Deckered into that beautiful scrolly "FN"....three more in the rear, not even in a straight line...a tin shim under the rear of the base, gobbed to the rear bridge with some vile black chemical cement.

How in Gods name can anyone perpetrate such a desecration? People like that would bolt bull horns on the hood of a '47 Bentley and paint a mustache on the Mona Lisa! I would cheerfully do a root canal on that S.O.B. with that very same Black & Decker drill.

So, that brings me to the question. Does anyone have what it takes to resurrect some of these Bubba'd beauties? Can those dreadful wounds be healed? Welded shut, perhaps, and submitted to a 'Scrollcutter' for plastic surgery?

I now have two such, and I'm keeping them. If I can't restore them, I'll at least keep them safe and clean, in the back of a dark cabinet, where they needn't feel the humiliation of what's been done to them.

I'd sure appreciate knowing if there's a cure.

The holes can have screws placed in, and then very carefully TIG welded over. Then the surface cleaned up and Scrollcutter could work his magic.

Sorry I do not have a solution for you but just wanted to comment that this is one big reason why I never buy a rifle on the internet that has a scope already on. Thanks.

Damn shame. At one time, these rifles were not thought of as very desirable and just plain meat fetching tools.

Makes you wonder that some stiff couldn't find Mauser mounts though.

I hope you got the three day inspection. Send it back and let the search continue- I feel you were misled.

If Mr. Belk were still taking work, I bet he could fix it... Does anyone know of a gunsmith that can TIG weld like him?