Winchester Collector - Forum: General Discussions & Questions

Maverick on Distorted M-1873

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 21:24:06 +0000

A very bad re=blue job on that one with a replacement dust cover and rear sight. Bad attempt at artificially aging it as well.

Its now worthless in my opinion. I suppose you could salvage the interior parts. I doubt it will even make a good shooter.

Anthony on Distorted M-1873

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:37:00 +0000

Henry Mero said
It has been sanded so bad the cal. stamp has dissappeared, it may be a 38 or????, definetly a bigger hole than a .33

1873man said
Caliber stamp polished so far he could not read it anymore. The 3 and 8 are very similar and can be confused.
Bob

I knew that you two gents, along with a few others, would pick up on the large hole in the muzzle as pic # 21 shows, and the caliber stamp, polished off so bad, the Lister not knowing much about the M-1873, assumed it's in the .33 caliber, which it plainly is not!

Tony

1873man on Distorted M-1873

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Caliber stamp polished so far he could not read it anymore. The 3 and 8 are very similar and can be confused.

Bob

Zebulon on GUNBROKER

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:56:10 +0000

When it comes to communication problems among computers, I'm never inclined to disregard demonic possession. I have had equal luck with technicians and exorcists.

Henry Mero on Distorted M-1873

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:50:05 +0000

It has been sanded so bad the cal. stamp has dissappeared, it may be a 38 or????, definetly a bigger hole than a .33

Henry Mero on GUNBROKER

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:41:28 +0000

Correct Bill, I said "blocked", not banned, and I did get back on after about 5 hours. I know it wasn't the seller because I've bought guns from Him before, plus I did call Him, He told Me I didn't want that one anyways, so They did do Me a favor. But Your other theory just don't hold water.

Anthony on Distorted M-1873

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:14:23 +0000

I really didn't know how else to explain this mess as far as listing it as a Topic!

https://www.proxibid.com/guns-military-artifacts/rifles/WINCHESTER-1873-33-W-C-F-Lever-Action-Rifle-24-Barrel-Very-Good-Condition-Shiny-Bore-Tight-Act/lotInformation/102386076

At first glance one notices the .33 caliber claim, which Winchester never MFG an 1873 in the .33 WCF Caliber, but at the same time the over buffed rifle, and not just buffed rifle, catches the eye. The home made aftermarket dust cover.

The listing description is careful using it's wording, as:

Item Description: Translate description
WINCHESTER 1873 33 W.C.F. Lever Action Rifle, 24" Barrel, Very Good Condition, Shiny Bore, Tight Action, sn:368092 This rifle features an octagonal barrel with a full-length tubular magazine beneath it, paired with a walnut buttstock and forend displaying smooth, oil-finished wood. The receiver shows case-colored hues, with a visible dust cover and loading gate on the right side. Chambered in the less common .33 W.C.F. caliber, this example represents a scarce chambering option from the original production era. It has an adjustable rear sight (adjuster missing) and a drift-adjustable front sight; the barrel has been polished and re-blued. A handsome example of Winchester's most celebrated design. (85195) (GSCG80)

I found the chamberlain description interesting, ("from the original production Era"), and it also says the barrel was re blued. Nothing about the wood being over sanded and oil finished wood. With case colored hues on the receiver.

I look foreword to Zeb polishing up my English and describing it a little better with his take on this.

I couldn't even classify this as interesting, but simply a mess!

Tony

Buck94 on GUNBROKER

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 10:27:05 +0000

Zebulon said
I just noticed Henry said he was "banned from the site" -- which is different. An individual seller can't do that.

I haven’t been banned but I’ve been unable to get back on the site. I use an iPad and have a few times where it hits a too many redirects error it will then say I’m blocked and won’t let me login. It can take 30 minutes to clear and I can wait or I can login from my laptop. Thus, mine seems to be limited to some programming issue with how safari is interacting. This tends to happen when bidding and I’m bouncing between my watch list and items I’m bidding on link. No clue if related to Henry’s issue just offering my experience. Another theory is Tom Trolard asked God to ban him for saying commemoratives lose half their value if fired 😀 like I said just a theory 😀

Zebulon on GUNBROKER

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 02:47:21 +0000

I just noticed Henry said he was "banned from the site" -- which is different. An individual seller can't do that.

Bo Rich on Another M-70 Super Grade Carbine

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 01:31:30 +0000

Bill, That would be nice. I plan to attend with my son, and I will try to stay longer this time. The 26th of September will be our 39th year anniversary. My Wife has given me the green light to go. But, as Clint Eastwood once said “A good man has to know his limitations”.

Bill Hanzel on Another M-70 Super Grade Carbine

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:58:06 +0000

Hey Bo, please look for me this year, I would like to meet you. I missed you last year, you were gone before I knew it.

TXGunNut on GUNBROKER

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:32:54 +0000

Jeremy P said
Henry maybe your wife is the seller and you already own the gun...therefore, instant ban!

That would simplify shipping.

Mike

TXGunNut on Another M-70 Super Grade Carbine

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 23:40:48 +0000

My observation (worth every penny you pay for it) is that Rule likely handled many examples before "parts guns" became a lucrative business. I think the information gathered in surveys is very valuable and certainly adds to the pool of knowledge. I don't doubt a few got "upgraded" in those days, I'm sure it happened for a variety of reasons. OTOH I will need to lean on you guys if I ever decide to make room in my modest collection for a collectable M70. EG my only concerns with the suspect carbine were the front sight and crown and I was wrong on both counts! Unfortunately there are more Super Grade Carbines now than there ever were and if I were a betting man I'd bet "fake" every time and be ahead on the money.

I agree that an update of Rule's book is a great idea and dealing with the "upgrades" will certainly be a challenge. Good luck on the research!

Mike

Louis Luttrell on Another M-70 Super Grade Carbine

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 22:53:22 +0000

Hi Bob-

We'll talk about it next month, but I'd like you to be one of my "content readers" before the book is finished... A couple active WACA members are my current "comprehension readers" (they're getting my drivel chapter by chapter) and I appreciate every bit of their input !!! Just b/c my words make sense to me (Duh!!!) doesn't mean they make sense to any other literate/intelligent reader...

I have a few (so far two) "content experts" who have (foolishly) volunteered (you might guess who they are)... That job is simple... Tell me when I'm saying something that's FOS (meaning I cannot sufficiently "prove" it)...

So far I've only got about six (of possibly 17) chapters drafted, so (if I live long enough) it'll still be a while. It probably makes the most sense to distribute the whole draft.

Talk later,

Lou

P.S. My "readers" each get a FREE copy, but only IF I ever finish it!!!

Bo Rich on Another M-70 Super Grade Carbine

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 21:58:52 +0000

Louis, I just got done with a few “costly deals” myself. So, it looks like we both will be broke! I can concur with you, in that I can’t document all of Mr. Rule as well. Don’t get me wrong! Roger Rule wrote a fabulous book. But, the fact is that it is over 40 years old now, and a lot has been discovered on the Pre 1964 Model 70 since. That is why I am looking forward to your updated version. After all, our favorite rifle deserves this treatment.