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Helping a friend sell some Winchesters Model 94 in WCF 30 made in 1921 and a Model 92 made in 1927
Question I have is the guns have the original owners social security number engraved on them on the action/metal…
I was told this ruins the collector value , is this true ?
I appreciate the help
April 15, 2005
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It most certainly did not enhance or help the value. At a minimum, it will reduce the value, but depending on how neatly (or crudely) the SSN was engraved on the receiver, it could mitigate the detrimental effect to the collector value.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
October 29, 2019
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I find it interesting what some folks have done to firearms (or other stuff) they have owned. In their defense, it was theirs to do with as they wished. Surely may have prevented theft or assisted in getting it back. So many years ago things were just tools, that we now find desirable or collectible. I have some modified firearms that the modification is o.k. with me. One is an old Colt revolver that a previous owner had replaced the factory grips with elk horn grips he made himself, a couple generations ago. They have his name on the inside. I’m cool with that. I have another with initials on the bottom of the grips. And one that a previous owner put some mother of pearl inlays in the grips. Another is a Remington 722 that a Native man used for hunting seals and sea otters in Prince William Sound. It’s rusty, but not pitted. He made a sling for it with twine and his own special knots. Thankfully it didn’t involve any extra holes. I knew a WW2 veteran that was very good with wood. He carved some very nice designs in the stock of his Winchester model 12. I bought several guns from him, and still kick myself for not buying that 12. if your friends 92 and 94 find their way into your hands, you can smile about the personalization he did to them. Who cares what others think, especially if you don’t plan to sell them.
Shoot low boys. They're riding Shetland Ponies.
My model 62A had the owners SS# dimple engraved on the top and bottom of the receiver tangs. The receiver (1947 build) was a nice patina. I’ve built a few flintlocks in my days and I’m not a big fan of flintlock blueing. So, I’ve done a lot of reading as “how to” patina gun metal.
I filed off the dimpled SS# on both sides, then re-patinaed the metal. You cannot see it with the naked eye…..but with a good magnifying glass and when held in the right light, you can see a trace of the dimples. None of the dimples effect the accuracy of the little 22…..which for a 22 rifle is quite good.
FWIW
March 20, 2009
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[email protected] said
Helping a friend sell some Winchesters Model 94 in WCF 30 made in 1921 and a Model 92 made in 1927
Question I have is the guns have the original owners social security number engraved on them on the action/metal…
I was told this ruins the collector value , is this true ?
I appreciate the help
Hello,
I would be in the group that votes for lower value because of the SS number being on the gun. Exactly how much would depend on where it is and how easily it might be removed or ignored. If you want to send me some photos of the 92 I will be happy to help with a valuation for you.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
December 21, 2006
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I think that would depend on who owned the gun and the signifigance of that person to the buyer of the piece. I personally have paid a premium for some local historical significant people and still own them. I mean probably no one of You know’s who A.Y. McLean was but his old Colt s.a.a. was worth a lot to Me just because it belonged to Him.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
May 2, 2009
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The amount it affects the value of the gun is determined on where it was engraved, how deep, how big, how neat the job was and the general condition of the gun. Worse case is the gun has lots of blue with it deeply engrave in a crude style on the top or sides in big numbers.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 19, 2006
Online
No matter how well it was done, it is very likely I would avoid the piece. I have seen many of these done with what must have been an electric engraving tool – and a very shaky hand 
Painful to look at.
May 2, 2009
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Me as well, unless it was a really rare like a 1 of 1000.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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