[ithacaartist]

It may be re-blued, but I'm skeptical. The cost/benefit would be pretty low-or non-existent. More likely it's original because the box does not seem to have much wear. Plenty have purchased stuff like this new and kept it pristine, hoping for an increase in value. Many 70s Mausers are turning up these days because of this ploy--even the 90s stainless Texas made "variation". An Erma La.22, for example, cost around $60 new back then. Now, one with a lot of wear and maybe even with an operational issue or two can reasonably sell for between $100-175. But it took 50 years for this to be the case...