Claydog, long time since I have read Ruark. The description may actuary help as alot of people want to appear as if they have been around so a well worn rifle helps with that image. I also recall some body writing about Selby stepping in front of a charging Buff and dropping stone dead with one shot from his 416 to the brain. This may well of helped its latter popularity. I believe in the day only around 100 were made.