To clarify, most of mine are CRFs from the 1990s, I thought BACO was after that but not sure really?
You are correct, as BSA detailed above.
Prior to BACO the “classic” designated the CRF; as PF and CRPF were made concurrently. The classic moniker was dropped in the last year of New Haven production (2006 catalog no longer has the classic designation); the BACO rifles are all are CRF.
New Haven didn’t produce a factory CRF 7 x 57 offering post 64.
Good info.
Back when I was buying every M70 I could (1990s) I immediately took them to my smith for new barrels, trigger work and bedding, often I'd buy the rifle for the receiver/stock only. No particular reason, just wanted to own rifles that were semi-custom (that may be a stretch) and something unique. Rifles in picture all had Shilen or Douglas barrels, mostly depending on what the smith could get his hands on at the time. Roger Ferrell in GA, member of the ACGG did all of the work. He handbuilds beautiful safari rifles from the receiver up but was never too busy or costly to work on my basic stuff, really great guy, did one for me a few years ago.
Three pictured were 257 Roberts, on 257 Wby, one 240 Wby, a 250-3000 compact. Sold most of them to members of the Campfire, kept the 270, 7mm RM and 25-05 which is on a 30-06. Mostly I would say it was entertainment which I enjoyed immensely. Selling off much of my collection, I put the money in better scopes, new DIY builds and other rifle projects.