IL4x4 I wanna make sure I understand you when you say, "She wants an original Weatherby but not a Mark V"? (lol the Mk IV was a Lincoln!) Roy Weatherby invented the Mark V and it is what made him a millionaire and built the company into what it is today, I don't think you can call ANY Mark V an "un-original". Maybe you aren't quite sure what gun she wants? The Mark V is not a Vanguard, it is the 9lug, Weatherby action that is featured on their famous magnums including the highly decorated and beautiful guns like the Deluxe, Lazermarks and Custom Shop guns like we are talking about. I believe the Mark V came out in about 58? The earliest Mk Vs were built in German by Sauer and then in the late 60s Roy moved production too Japan where they built all the Weatherbys until 1995. They still build the shotguns and Vanguards in Japan (Howa builds them) and the Mark Vs are built here stateside by Saco Armory I believe in Conneticut(not Sako of Finland fame!)? The German Vs are the same style as the Japanese and current Vs.

I am assuming if she truly means an "original" she perhaps would be talking about the earliest Enfields and other Mauser based Weatherby's that Roy started having built in the late 40s? If so those are indeed rare and quite pricey, now they would be GREAT conversation pieces and collectibles for sure. But they aren't the "quintessential" Weatherby with trick wood, high combs and dazzling finishes and a smooth bolt like the Mark Vs were/are.

Hope that made sense or at least cleared up the question?
RA