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Continued - 1873 Winchester

338weatherby338weatherby Member Posts: 427 ✭✭
edited March 2013 in Ask the Experts
I will let you guys know how this turns out. I am going to purchase this rifle and bring it to my smith who has been doing it full time for 35 years. He is very knowledgeable on old Winchesters. Thanks to everyone for your help on this. [:)]

The added bonus to this purchase is that he is selling a 1892 with it. It's in 25-20 and is RBFMCB. Serial number 834xxx (1917). Not real collectible yet but still a good piece. They were purchased together by his father.
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Comments

  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In my opinion, it has been restored and aged to look original. The bluing on the barrel is much too dark to be the original rust bluing. Is the face of the muzzle blued?

    Additionally, I noticed in the additional pictures that you posted that the rear sight is not original to that rifle. It is a much later vintage sight and elevator.

    WACA Historian & Life Member

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  • 338weatherby338weatherby Member Posts: 427 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The muzzle is not blued and is white.
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  • 338weatherby338weatherby Member Posts: 427 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Bert, what is the significance of the muzzle? If it were blued would that confirm the possible re-blue? If this has been restored, does the rifle have much value and if so, what would be fair? As far as the sight goes, I kind of wondered about it but do not know what it is supposed to have. These are definitely replacements then? I did look at the sight in one pic to see if it is marred or smashed from drifting and it isn't. My gunsmith should be able to tell this bluing as soon as he sees it, correct? If it is a restore would i be able to get anything for it?
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  • 338weatherby338weatherby Member Posts: 427 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Here are pics of the muzzle and buttplate. If this rifle was restored, wouldn't you think the buttplate would have been as well?
    8564053550_a16df33d41_b.jpg

    8564084922_b896e9a4f2_b.jpg
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  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If the muzzle is blued, that is a 100% sure sign that it has been reblued.

    I do not know what it is worth to someone if it has been restored. I do not deal with restored Winchester pricing.

    Your pictures of the muzzle and butt plate are not being displayed. Please send them to me directly.

    WACA Historian & Life Member

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  • Bert H.Bert H. Member Posts: 11,281 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by 338weatherby
    My gunsmith should be able to tell this bluing as soon as he sees it, correct?

    I have no idea what your gunsmith is capable of detecting. That stated, I have found more of them that can not detect a restored Winchester than those that can.

    WACA Historian & Life Member

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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For some unknown reason this is the largest photos of the muzzle and buttplate that I could bring up?



    8563998712_1e1ce0d773_m.jpg

    8563998704_8bb68849a5_m.jpg
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  • kimikimi Member Posts: 44,719 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The rear sight looks like a Marlin Rocky Mountain with a Winchester elevator.
    What's next?
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  • 338weatherby338weatherby Member Posts: 427 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Not sure why but it looks like the pics reappeared, in the larger size, of the buttplate and muzzle. weird. My question now is, why would someone have replaced this rear sight? I see now what Bert is saying in that this is obviously not the same as what this rifle would have came with after looking at pics of authentic original 1873's. With this replacement sight, does that solidify that this is a restoration? I see no reason why some one would ever replace the factory with this sights as it is not an upgrade in my opinion. Could it be that the rifle(along with the sight) was so rough that is warranted replacement of the sight during a restoration? Starting to get cold feet on this one now icon_smile_disapprove.gif

    I had one pic that showed the sight base and it didn't show any sign of being drifted in. Again, is this because it was done during a resto???

    This is getting tiresome.
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  • JohnnyBGoodJohnnyBGood Member Posts: 1,443 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by 338weatherby
    Starting to get cold feet on this one now


    Rule Number One for Gun Collectors. When in doubt, do without.

    Rule Number Two for Gun Collectors. Don't buy guns you have to make excuses for.

    Johnny
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  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by 338weatherby
    Not sure why but it looks like the pics reappeared, in the larger size, of the buttplate and muzzle. weird. My question now is, why would someone have replaced this rear sight? I see now what Bert is saying in that this is obviously not the same as what this rifle would have came with after looking at pics of authentic original 1873's. With this replacement sight, does that solidify that this is a restoration? I see no reason why some one would ever replace the factory with this sights as it is not an upgrade in my opinion. Could it be that the rifle(along with the sight) was so rough that is warranted replacement of the sight during a restoration? Starting to get cold feet on this one now icon_smile_disapprove.gif

    I had one pic that showed the sight base and it didn't show any sign of being drifted in. Again, is this because it was done during a resto???

    This is getting tiresome.



    Life is to short and precious to have something like a 73 Winchester, cause you sleepless nights and mind numbing aggravation. If this guy won't sell it to you on a approval basis. So that you can let a pro have a hands-on with it. Just forget about it. Walk away from it.

    On the other hand later on if you find out it's the real Mccoy after some other collector grabs it. Your going to be really pissed.
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  • 338weatherby338weatherby Member Posts: 427 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just sent off an email to him requesting a 7 day inspection. Thanks guys for everything. I'll keep you posted.
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