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Yesterday I was asked to look at a Model 1892 16″ trapper carbine – I was told the gun had a factory letter. When I arrived to look at the gun I found it was in the 600,000 serial range and obviously too late to letter. When I said it would not be possible to “letter” the gun, they showed me the attached letter. Once you look at the letter you see it says nothing about any gun features, only when the gun was serialized. Accordingly, I don’t understand why you would spend the money for this letter when the same information can be obtained by looking on the WACA website. I did not even know the Cody museum would provide a letter with only the serialization date – obviously a way for them to make money but I don’t understand what is accomplished.
The WACA website only tells you the year and not the exact date. Those are the polishing room records from when the serial number was applied to the gun.
From Cody’s Website:
SERIAL NUMBER APPLICATION (SNA) DATES
You may have heard of the “Polishing Room Books.” We refer to the information in them as the Serial Number Application (SNA) ledgers. These ledgers record the dates serial numbers were applied to firearm components at the beginning of the manufacturing process. No configuration or customer information is recorded in these ledgers. The 1866, early 1873, 1876, and Hotchkiss serial number application dates are not currently available. For some models the SNA ledgers continue beyond the serial number ranges of the warehouse ledgers which contain configuration information. There are even SNA ledgers for models which have no other records. Click here for the list of Winchester Available Serial Number Ranges.
The SNA date, when available, is included with all member serial number searches and factory letters. If you purchased a factory letter after January 1, 2007, and would like to update the letter with the SNA, please return the original letter with a check for $15. We will confirm the factory letter data, add the SNA, and send an updated letter. Contact Records Office staff with questions.
I suppose it is better than having no letter at all.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Thanks for the information Maverick. To me, it would not be worth the cost of the letter to know the gun was serialized on October 2, 2011 versus just looking a the WACA site and knowing the serial number was stamped on the gun in 2011 – each to his own.
First of all, the letter says 1911, not 2011. Having said that, the serialization date means nothing unless the gun has a letter from ATF.
win4575 said
First of all, the letter says 1911, not 2011. Having said that, the serialization date means nothing unless the gun has a letter from ATF.
I thought you needed the atf letter for those under 16″.
Shoot low boys. They're riding Shetland Ponies.
I use this to see if anything other than serial number is a available .when the museum is at a show and does the 5 dollar look up, that’s more worth it than the seventy I think
win4575 said
First of all, the letter says 1911, not 2011. Having said that, the serialization date means nothing unless the gun has a letter from ATF.
It has to be shorter than 16″ to need a ATF clearance letter.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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