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March 14, 2022
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He must’ve had a letter for a gun like that and no R&R or new entry and why the value decreased significantly. I’m not certain but, I don’t think Winchester would perform that kind of work for a change in caliber but Bert or somebody will know.
Rick C
April 15, 2005
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KWD57 said
A friend of mine that has since passed away had a winchester model 1876 that was a one of a thousand it had been rechambered to another caliber which required the rear of the barrel to be shortened and part of the barrel markings were removed with the barrel alterations. I do not know if winchester would do that type of alteration or would replace the barrel entirely. But I remember my friend when he sold the gun he got substantially less than what a one of one thousand went for at that time. I did not know if he had a letter on the gun but the gun was in very high condition other than the alteration. It has alway stuck in the back of my mind that if he could prove that winchester did the work would it be reduced in valuation that much. I believe he got $30,000 when they were going for over $100,000 about 15 years ago.
The odds are very high that Winchester did not alter that rifle. Further, the ignorant moron that did the alteration should have been horse whipped at the hitching post!
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 27, 2014
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KWD57 said
A friend of mine that has since passed away had a winchester model 1876 that was a one of a thousand it had been rechambered to another caliber which required the rear of the barrel to be shortened and part of the barrel markings were removed with the barrel alterations. I do not know if winchester would do that type of alteration or would replace the barrel entirely. But I remember my friend when he sold the gun he got substantially less than what a one of one thousand went for at that time. I did not know if he had a letter on the gun but the gun was in very high condition other than the alteration. It has alway stuck in the back of my mind that if he could prove that winchester did the work would it be reduced in valuation that much. I believe he got $30,000 when they were going for over $100,000 about 15 years ago.
The operative term here is, “but the gun was in very high condition other than the alteration”
“If you can’t convince them, confuse them”
President Harry S. Truman
May 23, 2009
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I believe there is a 1of1000 shown in the Ed Lewis book that was re-worked in such a manner. I’ll have to dig my copy of the book out and see what specific details are regarding the circumstances around the rifle.
That said I think this is an unusual circumstance of such a thing occurring. I think the draw being that the barrel engraving having been modified effects its value to an extent. Even the type of barrel engraving affects the value of a 1of1000. The script engraved barrel marking is generally viewed as more valuable than the simpler Aerial version of the 1of1000 marking. But the Aerial version is likely actually more rarer.
But a 1of1000 is not your average Winchester and shouldn’t be treated as such.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
October 20, 2022
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I agree with you Bert on the horse whipping of who ever had the one of one thousand 1876 rechambered but I believe my friend would have not owned the gun most likely if it wasn’t altered.
He did tell me what he paid for it years before and he profited about 150% of what he paid.
July 8, 2012
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Bert H. said
tionesta1 said
Bert H. said
KWD57 said
How would a gun that was sent back to the factory and refinished or change calibers etc. And is listed that way in the records? Would that classify as factory original?
With verifiable proof that a Winchester was returned and reworked (rebarreled or refinished etc.), it is my opinion that the impact to the value is almost non-existent, as the gun is still arguably “factory original”.
Bert
Kind of like this Model 1894 Deluxe I own?
Exactly… a Model 1894 that was reworked (rebarreled) by Winchester and clearly documented. You have a very nice factory “original” Winchester
Thanks Bert.
December 9, 2002
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Tionesta said,
Kind of like this Model 1894 Deluxe I own?
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