Got to the gun show today 15 minutes late(wife slept in,she dropped me off). As soon as i got there I guy i know said did you get that dam pre war 70 in 257? I said no where is it? He said he saw it on the table for 1095 but got distracted and turned around and it was gone! A couple of minutes later I ran into the guy that did get it. I said can i please see it? He said yes. Had ser# 54xxx. Was 100% correct, Great cond, NOT cut , metal butt but was missing hood and the rear bridge was drilled. I think he stole it(other guys said he only paid 995). What do you guys think? I couldnt have gotten the money out quick enough.

I think you were too late.

Daaaaamn!!!
I feel your pain!!!

I want to know what distracted your friend? I can’t imagine what would distract me from a pre64 257 prewar while I was looking at it???

Be hard to take one’s eyes let alone hands off it.

Someone needs to say this. That guy was not much of a friend..

The guy that originaly saw it, is a remington guy. He was distracted by an Amish guy selling a 760 carbine in 308 for 880 bucks, which he bought. When he turned around to go after the 257 it was gone.

Eric, I’d be a lot more upset if the bridge didn’t have an extra hole

I have lost track of how many times I have hesitated on a gun deal

Ya snooze - ya lose...

I know where a nice 257 Roberts is locally, but it's $1,995.00!! It's also had a recoil pad added. Sounds like the one in the OP would be worth more than that one. I don't run across too many 257's, when out and about, but have seen a few. Generally in the $2,400-$2,600.00 price range when in original condition. Those extra holes in the rear bridge wouldn't have bothered me, if they were done right. That's always the deterrent, when I see extra holes.

It’s all a matter of being in the right place at the right time and recognizing a ‘deal’

Been there, done that. More often than this scenario, I’ve spotted a rifle just before someone else picked it up, and watched them buy it - for a song!

a few years ago I was at a gun show and a guy was walking around with a P64 in 257R and it really got a lot of attention from the vendors. I dont remember what the seller wanted for it, but one vendor made him a low ball offer. The seller walked away from him and didnt acknowledge the vendor. As the guy walked away the vendor turned to his buddy and said "I have never paid more than $800 for a 257R and never will" I was thinking what a jerk.

Dealers have that exact attitude. That's just how it is. I've heard some say things like, "if I can't steal it, I'm not going to buy it".. That is how they make money. Guys like you and I have to stumble into good deals, and act swiftly when we see them. I bought 2 pre 64's on the same day last year. Both 270 Winchester. One a std wt, and the other a fwt. I did not need them, but both were too cheap to walk away from, and yes they both shoot lights out.

There was also a mint 1952 in 257 at the show. The Guy was asking 3100. My LGS still has a nice one in 257 for 2750.

Having the rear bridge drilled would have been a deal breaker for me. Screwed up old rifle are easy to find. Pristine one's aren't and that is all I am interested in.