I have a couple of 412s. One, being a little older but a high grade of wood in double 308 rifle only, none of my other barrel sets will fit it. The finish on it is unlike that on any other 412 I have ever seen - similar to the high gloss of a Browning B78. Finish itself is beginning to cloud a bit and has some visible scratching to the finish that does not go into the wood. The wood itself is obviously a much higher grade than standard, quite nice figure.

My question:

Should I strip off what I think is the original finish and refinish? Thinking a good oil finish would be very nice looking; I have adequate skills to do this and end up with a good look.

Concern is that refinish might damage value of gun, even if expertly done. On the one hand, I hunt this gun - not an investment or safe queen. The original finish is simply getting old and honestly I never really liked the very high gloss "thick" looking finish.

Thoughts?

RAS

They don't have any collectors' value and are seen mostly as utilitarian. Since you are good at refinishing I see no reason why you shouldn't do an attractive oil finish. It would add Class to the Valmet, IMO. I'd love to see the final job.

I've owned about 7-8 various 412 guns and liked the cheaper 412S version more with it's non-glossy finish than the upgraded 412 version, which is what you have. Once I had every barrel set they made but sold all of it off. The guns were heavier than I liked, but were excellent as a "system".

The last variation I had went to Africa with me. It was a Tikka 512 D/T with 12/9,3X74R and O/U 9,3X74R barrels, both scoped. After my back was broken and also my bank account I sold the set. It's one I wish I had back. The double 9,3 barrels were Lothar Walther and were spooky accurate.

Are you sure the 308 DR is a 412? The earlier Savage 2400 by Valmet and Valmet 300 series guns looked the same, but the earlier guns weren't as strong in the receiver as the 412s.

The barrels and receivers for these below look like 412 guns, but are different.

Savage 2400 in 12/308



300 series like the early Savage o/u shotguns. This is 12/222

I am pretty sure it is a 412, sn 209xxx.

And nice wood.


RAS

It's a 412. How close to fitting are the barrels? Does the gun just not close?

That 2400 looks very familiar....still have its little brother!

It found a loving home, Mike. If I want to hunt with the barrels in tough country I put them onto my 300 series receiver and forend. The 300 is 12/222.

my 412 12/223, forcing cone removed, Bansner choke sleeve, Rheinhart Fajen monte carlo trap stock, 2.5x8 loopy in modified ruger rings, one turkey killing machine

It looks like a turkey machine. Very nice what you've done with it.