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I have the opportunity to purchase a very nice 1873 oct 38 WCF from a friend and collector. The rifle is in great shape but has the name J. W. EAST and 1867 stamped on the left side of the receiver rear of the cover plate. We did a search and there is a J W East a confederate soldier Alabama regiment. I know this could be wishful thinking. The gun was manufactured 1890. Stamping ones name or initials on firearms or carving names or initials into the stocks is quite common of course but I am very curious as to why the date 1867 was stamped on there, 23 years prior to the year the gun was made. Perhaps it was this gentleman birth year. Or his sons birth year or something and it was a gift. I have not done a search with Cody or anything at this stage. I would certainly welcome any ones thoughts or insights as to what they make of this. I really like this rifle and stamped or not will probably get it, but purely from collectability purposes I am not sure whether this is a good thing or not. It certainly is very interesting either way. There not doubt have been scores of people in the last 123 years with this surname and initials. Any thoughts. http://postimg.org/image/732jlj45v/588de285/
It’s one of those things you may never know, 1867 was well after the Civil War was over, and of course the rifle didn’t even exist.
Online
Ain’t No Telling!
I knew a guy that had a 73 with the Initials S.H. Carved into the buttstock. I asked the owner who he thought the initials where for.
His reply was "S#!T Head" because anyone that would do this to such a fine rifle was certainly one.
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Its definitely a detraction to the gun since it was done in such a crude manner so keep that in mind if you buy it.
Bob.
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I thought it might be a gift until I saw the picture. You wouldn’t stamp something like that on a gift. You’d do a nicer engraving.
I think J.W. East received or bought the weapon new when he was 23 years old and then put his name and birth year on it just as a way of saying it was his. It would be a different J.W. East than the one who served in the civil war.
I don’t think it takes much away from the weapon. I don’t think it was done with the intent of enhancing the value or misleading anyone.
Just my random thoughts.
P.S. There is a modern day family owned "J.W. East" HVAC company in Texas who might want to buy it from you. 
Thx James, I reckon you might be pretty close there that he put his name on there as many folks did back then and just threw his year of birth on there as well for the hell of it. Maybe so people like us 120 years later would wonder about it. I did send Jim East an email at that Texas A C company for a bit of fun
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