flounder said:
I have been interested in a .45 mk 85 for quite a while but you hardly ever see them. I saw this one on Gunbroker and it looks pretty darn nice so I splurged. Now the waiting begins.
http://www.gunbroker.com/item/647038065
It does look very nice. It should definitely be a 1:24 twist. The serial # is over 2000 higher than mine exactly like it only in .50 cal. I bought it new back in the late 80's.
I would guess that it was built in 1990, possibly 1989, but not before. It is missing the hood on the front sight ramp, and I'm pretty sure that Pachmayer recoil pad is not original. I believe that Pachmayer might have made the knight recoil pads back then, they were the same color and material, but mine has KNIGHT MK-85 molded into it. Everything else looks original, right down to the nipple.
The overall condition looks outstanding, and had probably only been shot once or twice, if ever. As you already know, the .45 calibers in 1:24 twist are hard to find.
It should be an outstanding shooter with either full bore conicals or saboted bullets. Not many rifles feel like the original MK-85's, nor match the craftsmanship. Fit, finish, deep bluing on a nice sleek chunk of walnut. It just don't get any better than that. Just look at all the money and time I could have saved, had I stopped right there.
Congratulations on your purchase. Enjoy!