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How long does case harden colors last?

babunbabun Member Posts: 11,054 ✭✭✭
edited February 2019 in Ask the Experts
This gun is over 100 years old.
Case colors forever???
https://www.GunBroker.com/item/799084379

Comments

  • oldWinchesterfanoldWinchesterfan Member Posts: 1,051 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Winchester factory applied lacquer to protect case colors. If the lacquer is not worn off, or cleaned off, AND the gun is protected from UV light, 100+ year old case colors can look brand new. Plenty such original examples exist.
  • 1873man1873man Member Posts: 128 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    That gun has been refinished.
    NRA Life Member
    Cody Firearms Member
    Winchester Arms Collectors Association Life member
    73_86cutaway.jpg
  • babunbabun Member Posts: 11,054 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by 1873man
    That gun has been refinished.


    what makes you say that?

    any tell tale signs a non-collector of old winnys like me would see?
  • mrmike08075mrmike08075 Member Posts: 10,998 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Has not been touched since purchased in 1963...

    It's mine - belonged to my father - province is unbroken and impeccable

    I don't have a crystal ball and can't tell you what occurred between 1919 and 1963

    The wood and metal don't appear to have been touched since leaving the factory - it's immaculate

    Mike
  • babunbabun Member Posts: 11,054 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I can usually tell a refinished gun and that gun doesn't fit in my
    eye as refinished, so I ask again is there something about old Winchesters, I don't see ??
  • mrmike08075mrmike08075 Member Posts: 10,998 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The wood has never been dismounted from the metal IMHO

    Tight fit and sharp edges and markings - honest wear on the lever and load gate - one imperfection on the bbl

    Intact screw heads - all correct per several books

    Look at the muzzle crown - the tang

    The wood is as built - the buttplate has not been off

    I have always fairly represented my guns - not a dealer looking to profit just dying of cancer

    Does anybody think that Kasey or I would lie or prevaricate???

    I might even debate the matter with Burt H. -only because we have had it for approx 60 years - and some of the honest age and wear is from me shooting it

    Mike
  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,579 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Its a nice looking rifle IMHO. No way I can spot anything wrong in the pic's. If people with hands on say its good I believe them.
  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member, Moderator Posts: 9,961 ******
    edited November -1
    "so I ask again is there something about old Winchesters, I don't see ??".........as told to me, the 'proof' marks (W/P) are struck AFTER final finishing. blued/colored proof mark=refinished
  • mrmike08075mrmike08075 Member Posts: 10,998 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Case color was special order only in 1919 from Winchester on the 1886

    They never took existing stock and modified it to customer order spec ???

    All special order guns are built from scratch starting with parts after the work order was received???

    I don't think so.

    But it's only my opinion - I can only trace the history to 1963

    Somebody special ordered this gun - they took a take-down model from stock and tailored it to the work order

    Mike



    Guys I know that nobody here was sniping at me or tearing me down - just standing on expert opinions

    I respect each one of you - I suspect you feel the same about me

    I also suspect maybe one or two folks held off having anything to say about this piece based on my ailments and health issues

    Hope I did not offend anyone

    Sincerely

    Mike
  • babunbabun Member Posts: 11,054 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by MIKE WISKEY
    "so I ask again is there something about old Winchesters, I don't see ??".........as told to me, the 'proof' marks (W/P) are struck AFTER final finishing. blued/colored proof mark=refinished



    Thanks Mike.
    After your answer. I was curious and found this thread, it made my head spin! Loaded with jnfo I don't need to know![:0][:0]


    https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/the-winchester-wp-and-oval-p-markings/
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