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I’ve been wondering about the benefits of getting letters for some of my firearms.
Some are a no brainer, I have a 73 in 32WCF that would be interesting and a 92 with a very bad barrel that would be helpful, I might be getting a 76 that I would really like to find out its history, if I do get it.
Then there are others like my 1903 Winchester Automatic, a 62a and a 63 that I question the value of the expense.
Has anyone ever gotten a really interesting ship to on any of these?
In the 73’s your not going to get a ship to unless its a late gun when they used the 3×5 cards. The colt collectors value a ship to address quite a bit but I have never heard of a Winchester commanding a premium for a destination unless its documented in supporting documents. The 92 letters are only available to the first 379,999 guns and the 76’s is the first 63871 guns.
https://centerofthewest.org/explore/firearms/firearms-records/
History on a gun is going to be limited to what you get with a gun hopefully documented with a notary stamp. Word of mouth story’s are only as good as the guy telling you the story. As to is it worth it. If the gun has any special features or if its a high condition standard gun its worth it. If its a standard gun with not much condition its optional.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Hey Bob, thanks for the input. I’m disappointed on the old levers side of it even though I’d personally be satisfied with who the 73 went to in the 1880’s. The 92 would be to see what the original configuration of it was, the barrel on it has a bulge and was cut down but the rest of it is OK. The only way I’d want to rebarrel it is if I lucked into a period and type correct one, but it may not be worth it. I’m not surprised about the 22’s.
I have lettered some of my Colts, 1st gen SAA’s and one of my earlier 1911’s. It’s nice but not earthshaking. I see people paying for 3d generation SAA’s and scratch my head in wonderment. Actually, there is a frenzy of lettering done with Colts of all models. I’m glad for them any who get some satisfying news about their collection.
Thanks again, I hope that some will still post some stories of letters that came back with really interesting info, just for the read and inspiration.
Online
Winchester letters rarely if ever show where the gun was shipped. The letters will show how it was configured and when it was made and shipped. Sometimes the records may reference a return for repair but usually not for who. Letters help by showing the buyer and seller that the gun is presently configured as it left the factory. The money spent for a letter also helps support the Cody Museum.
I have a 95 that was 1 of 2 in a shipment. Recently, through the research by others on these guns, I was able to meet the person that has the other, even more deluxe gun. From what I have been told Work Orders were prepared for the guns being built that followed the guns through the process. Nobody really knows where these and any shipping info went.
jban said
Some are a no brainer, I have a 73 in 32WCF that would be interesting and a 92 with a very bad barrel that would be helpful, I might be getting a 76 that I would really like to find out its history, if I do get it.
Maybe I’m a “no brainer.” If a gun is the standard catalog configuration, no optional sights, etc., what is there of significance to be learned from such a letter? The only “history” provided by the letter would be the record (if any) of its return to the factory for repair or modification.
Having a letter can be a asset when selling. It puts the buyer mind at ease as to it being in original configuration. I have seen guns that were standard but when lettered they were long barrel guns. It happens more than you think when a guy has a long barrel and gets tired of carry it.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I have a M1885 SS in 22 short with 6 special order features and a letter that states all 6. Never know where it went, but I have solid proof it was shipped with all the features. Big Larry
Here is one example of a interesting letter.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
Here is one example of a interesting letter.Bob
Yes, that is interesting–very. But nobody disputes the value of a letter for confirmation of special order features. If, on the other hand, I still had all the post cards sent me by former Winchester curator Tom Hall for plain-Jane guns that told me nothing I didn’t already know, I don’t think you’d be impressed. Not that I’m complaining about them–after all, they were FREE.
1873man said
Here is one example of a interesting letter.Bob
Now I want to see this rifle…. but it may be at the factory for something? Very neat.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
WACA #10293
Bob that gun must have been an exhibition gun. A friend has a gun with a 2 page letter like that.
Its not in a museum, I know the guy that has the gun.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Post cards remind me of when I sent off for a letter for a M73 rifle, with a 20″ heavy bbl. and carbine butt. No saddle ring. Post card was from Mr. Hall telling me the rifle was 100% correct. It just noted “barrel heavy”. Looked weird like a 20″ Buffalo Rifle. Without that proof, it just appeared to be a cut down rifle, which it wasn’t after all. Big Larry
It’s kind of a shame that shipping records weren’t kept on these rifles, but I guess it is what it is. I suppose it is worth it if there is any question about the configuration. Did Winchester never keep any records of where their rifles were shipped?
With the 73’s after about 620,000 they went to the 3×5 cards where they did state who it was shipped to. Here is a sample of the card.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
The late production Model 86 rifles used the same 3×5 cards, and included the “Shipped To” information. All of the “lost” (burned) records for the remaining models were also on the 3×5 cards. Winchester began using them in the year 1907 for most models, and was using them for all models by late 1910.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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jban said
It’s kind of a shame that shipping records weren’t kept on these rifles, but I guess it is what it is. I suppose it is worth it if there is any question about the configuration. Did Winchester never keep any records of where their rifles were shipped?
Records were kept but in most cases did not survive. The kind of records we’d like to see would fill a sizeable warehouse and apparently they didn’t seem that important at the time.
Mike
If the letter confirms the configuration of the gun it’s always worth it at the point of sale. The money for the letter is well spent at the Museum, good cause. T/R
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