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August 14, 2021
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Howdy! Thx for adding me into this fine group. Hope you are all well. Could I please get some opinions on this rifle, it appears somewhat refinished, but I am no means an expert. I picked it up for some minor shooting with the kids not so much as an investment. Looks to good for an 1902 rifle. THX in advance
Steve G[Image Can Not Be Found]
June 12, 2013
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Looks all original to me!
September 22, 2011
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I don’t think the receiver was refinished, nor does it appear that the wood has been refinished. I think the barrel has been replaced as the caliber marking is incorrect. Are there other markings on the barrel and can you photograph them?
Edit: Looking at photographs on a computer rather than a phone tells a different tale. Wood definitely refinished.
August 14, 2021
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No other markings that I can see now. The rifle was shipped to my home via my C&R and I get it Wed. I also placed an order with Cody for the factory letter. THX for taking the time to look. I’m hoping the compass is in the letter. My 7 year old has a thing for compass’, go figure.
Shouldn’t the barrel have the address /patent inscription?
September 22, 2011
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Steven Gabrielli said
Shouldn’t the barrel have the address /patent inscription?
Exactly! Then you definitely have a replacement barrel.
What do you have invested in this one and are there return privileges?
If it smells like a rat, it usually is.
August 14, 2021
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1195$
November 8, 2011
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The caliber mark looks like it was originally a 32-40 and remembered to 32ws.
August 14, 2021
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mrcvs said
Steven Gabrielli said
Shouldn’t the barrel have the address /patent inscription?Exactly! Then you definitely have a replacement barrel.
What do you have invested in this one and are there return privileges?
If it smells like a rat, it usually is.
I dont have the rifle yet, and no clear shots of the top of the barrel forward of the rear sight. I’ll check when I get it delivered.
August 14, 2021
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sb said
The caliber mark looks like it was originally a 32-40 and remembered to 32ws.
Interesting, I’ll know for sure when the factory letter comes.
April 15, 2005
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The stocks are undersized to the receiver indicating that they have been sanded and refinished, and the caliber marking is definitely altered. This rifle will most likely letter as a 32-40. Of concern is how well it feeds 32 W.S. cartridges from the magazine through the action. The cartridge carriers were different for the 32-40 versus the 32 W.S.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 14, 2021
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Bert H. said
The stocks are undersized to the receiver indicating that they have been sanded and refinished, and the caliber marking is definitely altered. This rifle will most likely letter as a 32-40. Of concern is how well it feeds 32 W.S. cartridges from the magazine through the action. The cartridge carriers were different for the 32-40 versus the 32 W.S.Bert
Thanks Bert. Is it worth keeping as a shooter for the 1195$ I dropped on it?
Steve
September 22, 2011
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Bert H. said
The stocks are undersized to the receiver indicating that they have been sanded and refinished, and the caliber marking is definitely altered. This rifle will most likely letter as a 32-40. Of concern is how well it feeds 32 W.S. cartridges from the magazine through the action. The cartridge carriers were different for the 32-40 versus the 32 W.S.Bert
Bert,
How do you tell shrinkage over time vs refinished? I thought from the photographs provided, that there were enough areas that were proud to suggest that the wood had not been refinished but had simply shrunk due to age. This was a solely subjective judgment call and I very well may have been wrong.
Edit: Judgment call was in error. Computer monitor viewing reveals the stock and forearm have obviously been sanded and refinished.
April 15, 2005
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Steven Gabrielli said
Thanks Bert. Is it worth keeping as a shooter for the 1195$ I dropped on it?
Steve
In my opinion, No it is not. Especially considering you do not (yet) know if it will even function and shoot properly.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
April 15, 2005
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mrcvs said
Bert,
How do you tell shrinkage over time vs refinished? I thought from the photographs provided, that there were enough areas that were proud to suggest that the wood had not been refinished but had simply shrunk due to age. This was a solely subjective judgment call and I very well may have been wrong.
I see No areas on that rifle where the stock sit proud of the receiver or the tangs. If you enlarge the pictures it is very evident that the stocks have been sanded (rounded edges and undersized). Walnut stocks do not shrink vertically.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
September 22, 2011
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Bert H. said
I see No areas on that rifle where the stock sit proud of the receiver or the tangs. If you enlarge the pictures it is very evident that the stocks have been sanded (rounded edges and undersized). Walnut stocks do not shrink vertically.
I will have to look on my computer later. My phone doesn’t have adequate resolution. Thank you!
September 22, 2011
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All I had to do was look at the first photograph provided on my computer to see that it is very obvious that the upper tang sits proud to the wood, and not the other way around. Definitely heavily sanded and refinished.
So, with a replaced barrel refinished wood, and an $1195 price tag, the big question now, independent of if it even cycles correctly being .32 Special, is do you have a 3 day inspection period on this one? If you do, I wouldn’t even bother to open the box when it arrives and just slap a return label on it and await your refund.
August 14, 2021
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I think I’ll still open it to use as a learning experience. I’m not sure that the barrel has been replaced yet. I agree it has been restamped to 32 W S, but since they are the same diameter and I have not seen any pictures forward of the rear sight, the address / patent stamp could still be there.
according to Mike Hunter, the carrier and guided work for both. So other then the sanding the only change could be the rechamber of the receiver.
I’ll decide Wed, I have 3 days, maybe I’ll ask for a 300$ credit to be refunded? Lol
April 15, 2005
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Steve,
Winchester specifically stated in their literature that the 32-40 and 32 W.S. cartridges were not interchangeable on their multi-barrel Take Down rifles. The reason for that is the cartridge carrier is physically different for the two cartridges. I highly suggest that you try feeding at least a few cartridges from the magazine all the way through the action and into the chamber before you decide to keep the rifle.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
August 14, 2021
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Bert H. said
Steve,Winchester specifically stated in their literature that the 32-40 and 32 W.S. cartridges were not interchangeable on their multi-barrel Take Down rifles. The reason for that is the cartridge carrier is physically different for the two cartridges. I highly suggest that you try feeding at least a few cartridges from the magazine all the way through the action and into the chamber before you decide to keep the rifle.
Bert
Yes sound advice, thx for your time and input.
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