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Hello all!
I have the opportunity to acquire a 16" short rifle. To my untrained eye the rifle looks to be legit. The gentleman who has the rifle is 87 years old and has a quite a collection. With a couple of rifles on loan to Cody. So I don’t have any inclination to think he would be pulling a fast one.
My question is……what should I be looking for when it comes to markings and dove tail distances and so forth.
It is fairly good condition with the always beautiful( in my eyes) natural saddle wear. Pretty decent bore and no major pitting on the rifle.
This will be the biggest investment for me so far and want to make sure I am checking everything.
Thanks guys!
What is the serial number? I highly suggest having the CFM research the serial number to see what it has to say in the ledgers.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Hi Bert,
I forgot the mention he does have the letter for the rifle and it does letter has a 16" short rifle.
Manuel
Manuel,
Post some pictures so we can see if something does not look right. By their nature, short rifles got used so if it looks too nice I would be suspicious.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I don’t have any pictures to post. That’s why I was hoping to get measuments so that I could compare them to the rifle. Hopefully I can get picture or two this week.
I can say it doesn’t look new by any means. But it does show use. But not hard use with dark patina or pitting.
Measurements aren’t really what you mostly need. If you haven’t personally owned and studied a bunch of short rifles or trappers over the years, you’ll get taken on a shorty. I know a man (who is passed) who was a master machinist who told me he made DOZENS of trappers and short rifles in the 70’s and early 80’s to increase the value. He said he fooled many "big shots" in the hobby. Those have been passed around for 30 years now! And they letter due to new serial numbers added to match factory letters, and/or they happen to be a 92 in the 900K serial range.
1. Read, and then verify the letter.
2. If it letters correctly, study the serial number with a magnifying glass in good light. Compare it to your other rifles of that model.
3. Next, go to the muzzle and study it with a good magnifying glass with a strong light. Then compare it to others you have. 95% of the time, THIS is your give away!!!
See my earlier posts about a 73 raised thumbprint factory RnR carbine I examined in Tulsa that a well known dealer tried to tell me was factory modified at 19", although the letter says 20". ALL BS. Follow steps 1-3 above, and you can be OK, use your judgement and gauge if it all matches and "smells" right. DON’T believe any "stories"… believe your physical inspection, by assuming it’s wrong and letting the gun prove to you it’s RIGHT.
OR… just post a bunch of good detailed pics here and let us do it for you.
Good luck and best to you. TONY
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