Winchester Collector - Forum: General Discussions & Questions

Henry Mero on Recent Tax Stamp Ruling

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 13:18:36 +0000

Many years ago I had a fairly impressive Marlin display, including a fine Model '94, 15" trapper in .44 cal. from the Chilean Mounted Police, that was purchased for Me by a friend in Mexico, plus a mod. 1893 , 15" short rifle. They were not listed as exempt with the B.A.T.F.. As a Canadian We would get all the paperwork done months in advance , for the B.A.T.F., U.S. and Canada Customs, and the U.S. Marshall's, in order to display at a show in the U.S., it was much easier then, just send Them a detailed list of items for display, and or sale. It usually took about 3-4 months and the approvals would be granted. One of our earliest shows and club meetings was in Denver ,They were just building "Mile High Stadium" at the time, maybe 1975 or '76. I took 35 lever action Marlins including the 15" trapper and a Model '93, 15" short rifle. I was all set up and during the show the local authorities came to My table and were going to confiscate My short guns, I guess some jealous person had reported them. Anyway I told them They couldn't have them , then doled out all the paperwork from the B.A.T.F. in Atlanta, U.S. Customs and also the Federal Marshall's Office, clearing them for display. Well to make a very long story a bit shorter, They wanted Me to remove them from the table , I refused, saying they would be gone when the show was over. They left, after some very strong words, very disgruntled and leaving behind several possible threats if I so much as got caught "j"walking. We managed to escape in Our 1957 Ford Fairlane with a lot of well wishes and congrats from Our fellow collectors and a nice engraved model 1893 Marlin.

Henry Mero on What a new Model 1876 cost in 1877-78

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 12:39:39 +0000

You could say the same holds true for these old Winchesters, they are worth a lot more intact than they would be if melted down. That $60.00 deluxe 1876 in mint condition , almost priceless, but melted down , about $5.00

Brad Dunbar on Houston Gun Collectors Association Show, Oct. 30 - Nov. 1, 2026

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:46:15 +0000

MidwestCrisis on Recent Tax Stamp Ruling

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 02:02:29 +0000

Jeremy P said
There's a few (seemingly) reputable YouTube channels with 2A attorneys discussing this topic. I've heard from one of them that there will be an opportunity soon to "deregister" anything you previously got tax stamps for, but I haven't heard much more. All of this is dependent on how the next election or two goes though, I'm sure, so I'm not getting too excited just yet.....but, it is the best time to buy an SBR or suppressor as there's ever been!

What he said. Unless you live in a communist state like mine. Henry, anything under 16” is an SBR in the USA, so to own a trapper under 16” it has to be on the list of serial numbers the ATF has. There are some long threads on the forum discussion questionable SBR trappers. Why did our government come up with an agency to regulate everything I'm addicted to. Just my luck.

Maverick on What a new Model 1876 cost in 1877-78

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 01:20:45 +0000

30gov03 said
That $60.00 in 1877 translates to $1,914.17 in 2026.
What passes for a dollar ($1.00) in 2026 would only get you 3 cents ($0.03) in 1877.

Jim

Ah Yes, but also NO. You are correct, simply based on a rate of inflation calculator. But the 1877 money was backed by the Gold Standard and the U.S. Dollar was until 1971. Thank you Richard Nixon.

So its more accurate to compare the value from the weight of $60 worth of gold coins to the current value of gold today. Because back then money was gold or silver and not worth nothing like it is now! And the value of the weight of just the gold is irrespective of the value of the gold coin.

Now take a look what it would be if you had a qty. of 60 dated silver 1877 $1 Trade Dollar coins.

Value Breakdown

Total Silver Weight: 60 coins × 0.7876 troy ounces = 47.256 troy ounces of pure silver.
Current Silver Price: $57.38 per troy ounce.
Total Melt Value: 47.256 oz × $57.38/oz = $2,711.55.

Collector Value vs. Melt Value

It is crucial to note that U.S. trade dollars are highly sought-after historic items. You should never melt them down, as their numismatic (collector) value dwarfs their raw silver value. Even in heavily worn or circulated condition, a genuine 1877 trade dollar regularly sells for $175 to $400+ per coin. For a collection of 60 authentic coins, the market value could realistically range from $10,500 to well over $50,000, depending heavily on their condition and mint marks.

So basically almost as close as the same amount of money in silver vs gold by comparison.

If I only had a time machine.

cj57 on Recent Tax Stamp Ruling

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:30:01 +0000

Henry Mero said
What is a SBR

Short barreled rifle

Henry Mero on Recent Tax Stamp Ruling

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 23:30:03 +0000

What is a SBR

oldcrankyyankee on Help with an 1881 reloading tool

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 22:12:22 +0000

TR said

oldcrankyyankee said

TR said
I assume you mean a 1891 tool.
It's simple how they work if you have one in your hand. First turn both large levers in opposite directions to split the tool. Then turn the knurled plug out, left handed threads. Insert the shell casing in the hole you screwed the plug out of, screw the plug down tight, remember let handed threads. Then thread the two big levers back together. The small lever is used to push the primer in. T/R


Yes an 1891 tool is correct. So we got the basics sorted out. How is the decapper used? and also the small bushing I found in the end of the left hand threaded plug.


The decapper is removed from the unmarked lever then slide the spent casing in that lever. Then insert L shaped decapper in the shell case and tap it to extract the primer. The knurled left hand thread plug has in the center a nipple used to expand the shell to accept the bullet. Maybe that's what you call the small bushing. The L shaped decapper is caliber marked, 38,40,45,50 ect. The decapper screws into the lever turning on a screw shank. When tools have swapped parts from other calibers they do not work.
Now you know why they came out with the 1894 tool. T/R

Thanks TR that was the info I was looking for. I was abble to make a couple calls and found a new to me bottom nut. Now it is complete. Thanks for your help

Jeremy P on Recent Tax Stamp Ruling

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 20:49:10 +0000

There's a few (seemingly) reputable YouTube channels with 2A attorneys discussing this topic. I've heard from one of them that there will be an opportunity soon to "deregister" anything you previously got tax stamps for, but I haven't heard much more. All of this is dependent on how the next election or two goes though, I'm sure, so I'm not getting too excited just yet.....but, it is the best time to buy an SBR or suppressor as there's ever been!

dimrod on Recent Tax Stamp Ruling

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 19:39:48 +0000

What about a vintage Maxim suppressor for a Winchester rifle that has been squirreled away for 90 years?

TXGunNut on Recent Tax Stamp Ruling

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 16:59:25 +0000

Anyone have any ideas what impact the recent tax stamp ruling will have on the formerly listed (and unlisted) SBR's currently in collectors' safes? All I've seen apparently deals with newly manufactured items. I'm hoping this may help a few unlisted but otherwise legitimate SBR's come out of hiding and maybe save a few cut down after the fact from the spare parts bins.

Mike

TR on Help with an 1881 reloading tool

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 21:30:08 +0000

oldcrankyyankee said

TR said
I assume you mean a 1891 tool.
It's simple how they work if you have one in your hand. First turn both large levers in opposite directions to split the tool. Then turn the knurled plug out, left handed threads. Insert the shell casing in the hole you screwed the plug out of, screw the plug down tight, remember let handed threads. Then thread the two big levers back together. The small lever is used to push the primer in. T/R


Yes an 1891 tool is correct. So we got the basics sorted out. How is the decapper used? and also the small bushing I found in the end of the left hand threaded plug.

The decapper is removed from the unmarked lever then slide the spent casing in that lever. Then insert L shaped decapper in the shell case and tap it to extract the primer. The knurled left hand thread plug has in the center a nipple used to expand the shell to accept the bullet. Maybe that's what you call the small bushing. The L shaped decapper is caliber marked, 38,40,45,50 ect. The decapper screws into the lever turning on a screw shank. When tools have swapped parts from other calibers they do not work.

Now you know why they came out with the 1894 tool. T/R

oldcrankyyankee on Help with an 1881 reloading tool

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 19:43:38 +0000

426crown said
This should help..BILL

file:///C:/Users/New%20User/OneDrive/Documents/1894%20loading%20tool%20inst..pdf

Not opening.

TXGunNut on TGCA Show in Denton, Texas Oct. 16-18

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:48:49 +0000

Thank you, Ben! We're hard at work on the last-minute details and losing sleep over the things we can't control. Gonna be a great show! Expecting showers Thursday afternoon and evening but then a much-welcome cool front will settle in for the weekend. Highs in 60's, lows in 40's! Will likely need to hunt down some long pants.

Mike

Ben on TGCA Show in Denton, Texas Oct. 16-18

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 13:48:32 +0000

Show time thread bump... expecting a great time! Cheers!