Ashley, funny old things those collection 95's and 97's. When I worked in the gunshop, which was about when they first came out, we sold loads of them, just couldn't get enough and the secondhand market was strong. Particularly popular with the younger shooters, as someone has said, or the more flamboyant characters as they certainly got you noticed. Then they sort of fell out of favour a bit as some people had issues in the rain. One guy I remember said it was like trying to hold onto an eel when it was raining, but he did polish his with furiture polish, so that explained that one!
A lot of people had the timber stripped and the wood re-finished, which gave various results. The wood on some was either bland like balsa wood, or reasonable but sometimes made up of 2 or 3 sections. I suppose they wouldn't use their best timber and then hide it, so we used to persuade people not ot strip them.
I think now, you have a little piece of history if you have the original painted stock and fore-end. The actions are classic Beretta 680 series (never was sure if it was 686 or 682 based as they all became about the same at that time) but will certainly be as good as any other Beretta (and you know I am biased towards them). One day I'm sure they will be collectable and you can be sure no two are alike, so it is unique.
Just don't take it out on your special driven days. You may get some funny looks!! :biggrin:
