Jeremy P said
Bert, did all the caliber markings on the 45-70s look the same (font, spacing, etc.)?

  

Yes they did (on the authentic rifles).  The two fakes I have encountered were not the same font & spacing.

oldcrankyyankee said
Please forgive me here, as I might get a little long winded. This exact rifle has been offered by Roger Quisenberry since spring of 2023, first time he listed it in the Collector. He was steadfast in his price as I always looked and it never changed. $35,000. I know that in March of 2023 Amoskeag sold a deluxe 71 in 45-70 that was purportedly built around ’53 with a barrel date of ’51. It was owned by Peter Murray and sold with the juice for $45,375. I believe at the time this particular rifle was discussed here on the forum and because of the assumed date of build, it’s authenticity was in question. But with out records it was hard to prove. I’m not sure what the rifle currently listed at Poulin will bring, but, I will guess much more than the listed high estimate. This is a gun for the true coinsure of 71’s. I like the looks of it and wish it would appear in my collection. I’m not sure why it has suddenly appeared at Poulin’s, but I did notice that Roger did not have an add in the latest edition of the collector. He also had 2 71’s in 33 wcf which I have drooled over for two years. Just could not pull the pin on one of them. He was asking a mere $27,500 for the one with a 71 marked barrel. Oh well it will be fun to see what it goes for.  

  

Roger is no longer with us.  His entire collection is being sold off.

Bert

antler1 said

Bert H. said

antler1 said

How much of a premium does a rare caliber demand. Example model 71 in 45-70; model 64 in 32-40; or model 55 in 38-55?

Based on what I have seen, the premium is approximately 100%.  

I would imagine the model 71 in 45-70 would be considerably more than 100% premium

It most certainly could be considerably more than a 100% premium… it all depends on how many interested bidders get involved in trying to acquire it.  I certainly will not be surprised to see it sell for $25K.

Bert

Paul H said
Model 71 questions about the 33 WCF.

Until recently I didn’t know they existed—as fate would have it I may get a chance to physically inspect one. 

Will the serial number be in single digits?

Would you expect it to be “standard” or Deluxe?

What other Identifying characteristics might it have?

What sights would you expect?  

Any input would be welcome—If pictures are out there a few good ones might be helpful.  

Approximate value range??

Paul 

First, do you know what the serial number is on the rifle you will be looking at?

Thus far, I have documented just (5) authentic Model 71 rifles factory chambered for the 33 WCF cartridge.  With just one exception, they are all Pre-WW II production rifles. 

Four of the five are Specials (not “deluxes”) which is not surprising considering the fact that the majority of all Model 71 rifles were the Special variation.

The Pre-WW II rifles were fitted with a No. 98A bolt peep sight, or a 22-K open rear sight.  That stated, there were a small number that were drilled & tapped for a receiver mount peep sight, most often a Redfield.

As for the value, you should expect it to sell for a minimum of 2X the amount that the same rifle in 348 WCF would sell for.

There are known fakes out there with barrels scavenged off of Model 1886 rifles.  An authentic Model 71 33 WCF barrel will be Proof Steel marked and will be dimensionally identical to a 348 WCF barrel.  It will also have the exact same style front sight/ramp configuration.

Before I plunked down my $$$$$ for a 33 WCF Model 71, I would want to inspect all of the under-barrel markings.

Bert