His seller reviews are positive and say otherwise. 

I don’t disagree. I was being facetious. Hard to believe 739 transactions & no negative reviews but as mentioned it’s the norm on GB. 

We’ve talked about this seller in past threads – selling dubious rifles.  There was supposedly a husband involved who ran the business and then after his death, she was left with a large inventory – that she supposedly knew little about other than he left the title of a description of most of the guns.  However, some here reported they had dealt with, “almostaranch” back when the husband would have been alive – and they recall dealing with her and not him.  It also feels reminiscent of, “Dad’s Old Guns” where there is an endless supply from, “the collection.” 

I won’t cast doubt on all of the feedback and much of it may not reflect ignorance, etc.  For example, many of the guns she has sold have clearly been reblued or altered.  I think most (ok, maybe not all) of those buying them recognized this.  These pieces typically sold for about what a reblued or altered piece would sell for.  So, someone wanted a gun to hunt with, they were happy to pay a lesser price for a reblued piece, they sent her the money, she sent them the gun – why not leave positive feedback?  

If you are someone who is after, “collectible” pieces, my advice is to view most any higher condition gun from her as likely reblued.  I am basing this on what I see in the photos posted.  I don’t mean to say I have this seller all figured out.  When I first read her narrative outlining her situation, I found it somewhat plausible when I reviewed the feedback.  I noted that there were hundreds of pieces of feedback dating back to 2004.  Then, after very steady and regular feedback from 2004 to 2017, it abruptly stopped in September, 2017 and there was nothing until September, 2019.  I thought, ok, that two year gap must be when her husband passed away and after a two-year period, she started selling off the inventory.  Why else would the feedback have stopped?

What I find most suspicious to the whole story is contained in the very first piece of feedback, “almostaranch” received in December, 2004:

Based on this piece of feedback, it sure looks like SHE was in the driver’s seat from the very beginning.

I stated earlier in this post that my advice is to view most any higher conditioned gun from her as likely being reblued.  I would expand statement to say (unless it is from a seller you know and trust) view most any higher condition vintage collectible gun on gunbroker as likely reblued.  CAVEAT EMPTOR.

Why does the rifle have three proof marks?

Maverick

twobit said

I have looked at 7,821 Model 61 rifles and have NEVER EVER seen another one with 3 proof marks.  

Michael  

I’ve never seen any Winchester period with 3 proof marks. If it was factory refinished, it would probably have been stamped “Refinished” under the barrel or J.P.P. or something else to indicate such work.

Looks to been faked to me.

Sincerely,

Maverick

I have S/N 7177. It looks like S/N 7174 minus the 3rd proof mark. I am unable to see the inspector mark on the front of the receiver of the rifle in question.  My 61 S/N 7177 has a number 31 with a number 5 above the 31 on the front of the receiver. It has the usual triangle with a number 1 in side of the triangle above the number 5. I have not had the forearm off so unable to see any markings on the bottom of the barrel. If it was possible to see what is on the bottom of the barrel of the 61 in question, I would check mine.

Too bad these rifle are unable to talk. It would clear up these assumptions.

By the way my 61 S/N 7177 is for sale for $4200.  RR