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Looking for some opinions on this one. My observations are that the wood has had some refinishing. The barrel has been replaced (has proof mark). The receiver looks like it has been buffed (screw holes look dished out, especially on left side). Sights are not original either. Are my observations correct? Price seems a bit steep with these issues, but it’s still serial number 35.
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/750293867
Don
Don, The rear sight is definitely incorrect as is the proof marked barrel as the receiver is a First Model. If the finish is original (which I doubt) it certainly lived a charmed life! It is bid to $7000 and hasn’t reach reserve! Do buyers of old Winchesters have that kind of money to spend and not do some basic research to determine originality or is a refinished First Model bringing this kind of money these days?
Don,
You summed it up accurately enough.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Thanks Bert. It’s too bad it couldn’t have been left alone all these years. About the only thing it has going for it now is the low serial number.
Don
Clipper47 said
Don, The rear sight is definitely incorrect as is the proof marked barrel as the receiver is a First Model. If the finish is original (which I doubt) it certainly lived a charmed life! It is bid to $7000 and hasn’t reach reserve! Do buyers of old Winchesters have that kind of money to spend and not do some basic research to determine originality or is a refinished First Model bringing this kind of money these days?
You’re exactly right. Being uninformed in this hobby can lead to very costly mistakes. I admit I made some purchases that I would never do over again had I known then what I do now. Those have since been kicked down the road, some at a loss, but saw no point in hanging onto them. Chalked it up as a learning experience and moved on. I attribute much of what I have l learned from this forum, as well as good books on the subject, and attending gun shows. After awhile you know what to look for as well as stay away from. Don
Don, I was curious about this gun since I have a low number 1894 First Model that I acquired some 55 years ago in very original ( but well used condition) from the original owner. I see several differences between this gun and mine,which I know to be untouched, and these you have identified. What I find remarkable is the number of purposely faked guns or misrepresented guns such as this one that are offered for sale on the internet from what should be reputable sources and selling for incredibly high prices when so many resources such as members of this forum, books and the Cody Museum are so readily available to establish what is original and what is not. Why anyone would not do some basic research so easily within reach before making such a purchase defies logic.
Dave
Wow – it ended at over $25,000 – and reserve still wasn’t met?! I was surprised when a $10k bid didn’t trigger the reserve. It’s hard to say what is going on. Sometimes shill bidders are involved, trying to bid it up to the point that a real bidder will come along and trigger the reserve. I don’t think that is what happened here. My thought is a lot of the buyers out there purchasing collectible Winchesters would do well to frequent this forum. Ongoing learning is key. There are more and more altered/faked guns out there and less and less people who know what they are actually purchasing. I smile when I see all these sellers assure originality and legitimacy. And then there’s the wordsmithing. Caveat Emptor!
steve004 said
My thought is a lot of the buyers out there purchasing collectible Winchesters would do well to frequent this forum. Ongoing learning is key. There are more and more altered/faked guns out there and less and less people who know what they are actually purchasing. I smile when I see all these sellers assure originality and legitimacy. And then there’s the wordsmithing. Caveat Emptor!
My thought is that if more buyers frequented this forum, sellers like DadsOldGuns would be out of business.
Too bad P.T. Barnum was so to the point.
Steve
WACA Member. CFM Member. NRA Lifer.
Steve – I agree completely. I suppose it must happen on occasion, where a buyer from one our favorite nefarious seller’s – stumbles on this site after they’ve made their purchase – and comes across a specific thread devoted to the rifle they just purchased. What a sinking feeling that must be!
November 7, 2015
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Every now and then two fools meet.
Mike
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