Not necessarily, but its hard to tell from the photos. Probably likely, they don’t detail what the “Refinish / Restoration” was. It matches the letter.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Since RIA went to the white background for all the pictures you can’t see any good detail anymore.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
My point is that the rifle apparently letters – all the features (except the swivels are mentioned) are there. However, does it really letter? I say that because the rifle is a .38-40 and there is no mention of this in the letter. If there is no mention of the chambering, I thought that meant it was shipped as a .44-40.
If you look at the gun you will see its a 44. The RIA description is wrong. As far as it being rebarreled you would have to have the gun in hand an examine the barrel stampings but since its also been refiniished that might not be conclusive. The tang folding peep does not letter and is not original to the gun, it probably had a Lyman tang sight but value wise the folding peep is a plus.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 7, 2015

Very attractive as far as I can tell but I agree with Bob that the background makes it difficult to say. Reminds me of 50/50 paint jobs. From 50 feet away at 50MPH it looks pretty good. I’m trying to stick with original guns at this point so they lost me at “PRF”. Until refinished guns start attracting serious, widespread collector interest I’ll admire them and move on.
Mike
1873man said
If you look at the gun you will see its a 44. The RIA description is wrong. As far as it being rebarreled you would have to have the gun in hand an examine the barrel stampings but since its also been refiniished that might not be conclusive. The tang folding peep does not letter and is not original to the gun, it probably had a Lyman tang sight but value wise the folding peep is a plus.Bob
Bob – that explains it. Given the rifle is a .44, I no longer have any reason to suspect it has been rebarreled.
Thanks.
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