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June 26, 2013
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To me, this rifle looks refinished but the seller makes no claim as refinished in the description. Parts are blued that should be case-colored (lever, butt plate, hammer). Proof marks and barrel markings look buffed and along with wrench marks on the barrel. Are my observations correct pointing to a refinish?
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/878307697
Don
September 22, 2011
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It sure looks refinished to me.
July 8, 2012
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Don,
I looked at that 1892 deluxe yesterday and draw the same conclusion as you, and mrcvs. Plus, the wood is refinished as well.
Al
September 22, 2011
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Yes, wood refinished as well. Also, the bluing is the wrong shade for the era. In addition to the other issues already addressed.
June 26, 2013
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Thanks guys. 82 bids so far and over $5,500 with 6 days yet to go. Hope the winning bidder will be happy with it.
November 19, 2006
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I sure know I couldn’t be happy with it. The refinishing really spoils it for me. I’d be happy if it had 10% original finish. It does have some rare features.
June 26, 2013
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steve004 said
I sure know I couldn’t be happy with it. The refinishing really spoils it for me. I’d be happy if it had 10% original finish. It does have some rare features.
I’m with you 100%. Refinished guns are not for me either.
November 7, 2015
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Description sure sounds familiar. Reckon we know the seller by another handle?
Mike
November 1, 2013
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deerhunter said
I’m with you 100%. Refinished guns are not for me either.
Nor me! However, the market for refinished guns is what took Doug Turnbull from a nice young guy with a couple of tables at the Syracuse gun show (a GREAT one back in those days, but no more) to a big business man.
December 21, 2006
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I still say there is a big difference between refinished and re stored. Refinished I don’t care for , restored I can handle.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
May 23, 2009
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Looks like the barrel was taken off or put on using a pipe wrench. The screw holes on the tang are dished out as well.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
June 4, 2017
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A refinished gun has just new finish on an original gun. A restored gun has new and replacement parts added to a refinished gun with maybe a new serial number, how is that better. I would rather have the original serial number buffed thin than the reapplied serial number. T/R
May 23, 2009
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They’re only original once.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
December 21, 2006
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I agree , they’re only original once , but!!!! if its beat up and wore out from use that is patina and provenance. It may be 20 % or 60% original but not the way it was”originally “built, that would be 100%. That would be a tall order , to find a !00% original anything. If I’m reading the Funk and Wagnell’s dictionary properly restored means exactly that, not refinished, not re done, not upgraded or re numbered etc., but restored to what it was when it was built. We’ve had this discussion previously and I think there is no common concensus on what is proper, but refinished is refinished , restored is restored and original is only original when new and unused, after that it becomes a percentage of original. Yes I would rather have a 95% original 1873 deluxe than a 100% restored 1873 deluxe but I also need to be able to afford it. Or the other scenario where the gun is 1 of a kind and in almost relic condition, I would have that gun “restored”. Just sayin’
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
November 19, 2006
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I’ve been enjoying everyone’s perspective and opinion. It wouldn’t be very interesting if we all viewed everything the same. For me, I would take a 10% original finish M1873 Deluxe over a restored version.
September 22, 2011
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steve004 said
I’ve been enjoying everyone’s perspective and opinion. It wouldn’t be very interesting if we all viewed everything the same. For me, I would take a 10% original finish M1873 Deluxe over a restored version.
RIGHT! 10% original finish is 10% original, plus appropriate wear patterns are present. Refinished means it is 100% not original. The former FAR more desirable than the latter. Restored should also be avoided except under unusual circumstances.
December 21, 2006
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10% original, only more desireable to You and some others, not to Me 70 or 80% original yes. Case in point I bought a mod’ ’94 15″ trapper,( $12000.00) that actually letters, at Ward’s auction. When I got it I discovered the upper tang broken and welded.A Doug Turnbull full restoration was in the works, another $6000.00, but to Me it was worthless the way it is, parts only. Now if I could buy that gun in the $2000.00 to $3000.00 range I would and have it restored. I don’t understand why a restored gun should be avoided. However to each His own.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
September 22, 2011
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10% original is better than 0% original and restored. Better however to stick to original and at least 75 to 80% unless extremely rare or unusual.
June 4, 2017
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If you buy restored make sure you have documentation to prove the restorer had the original gun and used some of it over. You do not want to own a gun that was built by the restorer to match a factory letter, it will never be a rare gun. T/R
November 19, 2006
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TR said
If you buy restored make sure you have documentation to prove the restorer had the original gun and used some of it over. You do not want to own a gun that was built by the restorer to match a factory letter, it will never be a rare gun. T/R
Ah yes, the donor receiver trick 
