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This is exactly why I won’t bid on anything I can’t hold. The computer doesn’t bring out all the flaws that well. I never saw the gaps that Burt pointed out in the pictures. But I did go with my gut on that one! My theory is always best to ask.
Burt Humphrey said
mrcvs said
This one seems a little on the low side. What’s wrong with it, if anything?
https://www.wardscollectibles.com/auction/91/viewitem.php?item=4028
lan – the wood on this gun has been replaced – look at the gap between the forearm and the magazine cap – the condition of the wood does not in any way resemble the conditon of the cased receiver and the barrel blue – how is it possible for the wood to be perfect and yet the rest of the gun have the wear that it does – if you had this gun in your lap it would be every noticable.
Burt,
Wow! When you look at this rifle on a computer monitor, the gap between the forearm cap and the forearm is significant! Maybe even greater than 1 mm.
I wasn’t seriously considering ANY items in this particular auction, but the lesson here is that if you ARE, by all means look at photographs on a computer monitor in high resolution before reaching for one’s wallet. Better yet, assess in person—if possible.
My assessment of the description of this rifle by the auction house is that the metal finish matches that of the wood—“the original metal finish on the barrel rates 97%, 95% on the mag”. That’s not what I’m seeing. Noticeable wear to the high points of an octagon barrel cannot rate anywhere near that high. The only hint of a lack of a pristine firearm is the following: “with areas of thinning starting to tone to a brown patina”.
In any event, a casual review of auction results suggested this was a better rifle than it actually is.
I work in the aviation industry and we use high price borescopes with cameras to inspect internal turbine engine parts. Many times we see a defect only to find out later it was a shadow or old scratch.
I know nothing about the gun, seller, or auction company discussed but would like to say something about good pictures. As a collector and possible buyer I use good pictures and a computer to look for flaws. You can see things the naked eye cannot. I would suggest you take a gun out of your collection and take several high quality pictures then examine them on your computer. It’s very possible you will have a lesser opinion of it. The larger you blow up an image the uglier the flaw. It pays to confirm what you think you see with additional pictures and consider the magnification when you form an opinion. In the end nothing beats holding it in your hand. T/R
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