Anyone can think their gun is worth big bucks but it's only worth what it sells for. When a gun is not original these painful reality checks happen unless you happen to find a fool. Don't be the fool, do your homework. I watched a guy at Tulsa this last show get screwed because he was to proud to ask for a second opinion. The average buyer knows just enough to get taken.

 If RIA gives it an estimate of 7k, it has to have a cat in the closet. T/R

TR said
  The first thing you do is google "winchester 1866 20126" and the gun will show up on "March in Montana auction" est 15-25k. Look at the pictures, log in find the sale price, and search some more. Do not be influenced by a cheap estimate, Poulin did that in their last auction buyers went right past the estimates and the guns sold for what they were worth. The value of that gun depends on what you see when you hold it in your hand. No free lunch.
  If someone bought it for 20k in 2025 would they sell it for 7k? Maybe no sale or was returned. T/R
  

Thank you TR. I did that and was able to see it sold for 15k plus 3.45 in BP just 12 months ago. It started at 10k and went to 15k. I guess it should be concerning someone would try and unload it so quickly and then RIA did choose to place it in the lower tier auction in April instead of the a premier Auction in May. Could be nothing but is something wrong with this gun? Was something altered or otherwise changed that the previous buyer discovered after purchasing and RIA now also knows about so they have deemed it unworthy of the Premier auction? 

  If someone bought it for 20k in 2025 would they sell it for 7k? Maybe no sale or was returned. T/R

Right now I have a problem, and am hoping for some guidance on a second model '73 in 38 wcf. This rifle came to me with a lever that when fully closed, does not reach the "catch", as it falls short by about an eighth of an inch.The action felt tight and operates as it should, and my mind went to several scenarios as to what would cause this.

- (1) extended flat piece on rear of lever had been broken off a bit then smoothed down, causing it to be too short, (2) lever had been replaced perhaps with one that just wasn't right for the gun, (3) lever could be bent slightly which causes said shortage. I research best I could online (including this forum) and found nothing conclusive, so I purchased a vintage and correct (from same 2nd model sn range), and this lever is the exact same dimensions visually.

So, I'm now back to square one but inclined to think the lever is not the problem.

I don't see any apparent adjustment in positioning of the catch itself. Perhaps there is adjustment in how the lever rests horizontally or maybe a weakened spring that affects same? I have to figure how to get these two parts about a quarter inch closer together. See pics... Thoughts anyone ? 

Thx-Joe

Hi guys, I’m  thinking of adding a 66 to my collection and curious if you guys see anything wrong with this one? Appreciate any help! Thanks

1892takedown said

Hi Bert,
In your survey with regards to 2/3 mag with shotgun butt, how many of those 196 have a fluted comb.  Is there any correlation between those with fluted comb having a hard rubber buttplate versus those unfluted with a different style buttplate?  If I remember, hopefully correctly, you start seeing these eastern carbines in this configureation in about the 600K serial range (eastern carbine, shotgun butt, fluted comb, 2/3 magazine, mostly in 30WCF but I think maybe also 32WS only). 
Just curious, They arent rare by any stretch, but are a bit different in the sense they have a fluted comb with a common configuration.  
Thanks
Chris
  

Nearly all of Carbines with the fluted comb butt stock also has a shotgun butt.  While the black hard rubber BP is the most common of the shotgun butts, the smooth steel, checkered steel, serrated steel butt plates were also used with the fluted comb stocks.  The key is the shotgun butt.  The fluted comb stocks began to appear in the later 500,000 serial range (latter half of the year 1911), and they became commonly used in the 600,000+ serial range.  The fluted comb stocks were put into standard production in 1924 (Models 53 and 55).

Bert H. said

mark minnillo said
OK fellas thoughts on this "carbine"? The barrel is 20". No marks from a front band nor band screw. Original?
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1162118436
  

It is a typical "Eastern" Carbine, with a 2/3 mag and shotgun butt.  Currently, I have (196) of them documented in my survey.  The 2/3 mag length was more common than the 1/2 mag length by a 2:1 ratio.
Bert
  

Hi Bert,

In your survey with regards to 2/3 mag with shotgun butt, how many of those 196 have a fluted comb.  Is there any correlation between those with fluted comb having a hard rubber buttplate versus those unfluted with a different style buttplate?  If I remember, hopefully correctly, you start seeing these eastern carbines in this configureation in about the 600K serial range (eastern carbine, shotgun butt, fluted comb, 2/3 magazine, mostly in 30WCF but I think maybe also 32WS only). 

Just curious, They arent rare by any stretch, but are a bit different in the sense they have a fluted comb with a common configuration.  

Thanks

Chris

mark minnillo said
OK fellas thoughts on this "carbine"? The barrel is 20". No marks from a front band nor band screw. Original?
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1162118436
  

It is a typical "Eastern" Carbine, with a 2/3 mag and shotgun butt.  Currently, I have (196) of them documented in my survey.  The 2/3 mag length was more common than the 1/2 mag length by a 2:1 ratio.

Bert

mark minnillo said
OK fellas thoughts on this "carbine"? The barrel is 20". No marks from a front band nor band screw. Original?
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1162118436
  

Not much finish. Thoughts on value?

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1162118436