Yes, I can see the ’86 now. Thank you. Those are quite striking colors. I have probably seen more vintage original Marlins with colors of this super-high vividness vs. Winchesters. I have seen very striking Marlin receivers. What have other’s experiences been with regard to original Winchester vs. Marlin case color?
Ah, so there’s part of the explanation of the Roosevelt ’86. The case color is not as old as the rifle. I was glad to read there was an explanation. I had looked at the photos before doing any reading and had an immediate reaction to what looks like quite a bit of hunting wear on the buttstock, yet pristine case colors. As we know, case color is a very fragile finish. However it is a beautiful rifle and the hunting wear on the buttstock was not a detractor for me. Aside from gorgeous deluxe wood, this rifle has my favorite feature on a vintage lever action rifle (Winchester, Marlin or Savage): the cheekpiece stock. As far as provenance, what a rifle to own! And let me add, you could hand someone this rifle along with a supply of fresh cartridges and they would be well-equipped for about any game situation this continent (or most any other continent) has to offer. For me, I can think of many game situations where despite all the modern developments since this rifle was made, this would be my preferred rifle.
On the topic of re-case coloring for an 1886, I wonder what happened with this one? We know the seller and not surprisingly he makes no mention the rifle has been refinished. Obviously it has. By the way, I’ve always wanted an ’86 SRC in this caliber and this one, before it was refinished might have been very desirable to me (even if it had been completely gray) (and I’d want to get a copy of the Museum letter myself). Anyway, as much as I dislike refinished guns, when I look at the left side of the receiver on this one, I really feel ill. Wouldn’t all want to run when they turned the carbine over on this side?
November 7, 2015

That’s rather unfortunate. Looks to me like the receiver was heated unevenly or incompletely and makes me think it’s likely to be warped a bit as well.
Wincacher said
The left side of the receiver appears to be too gaudy even for his dad to have collected.
There is no “appears to be…” as far as I can see. There is a more wrong with it than that (and I am intentionally not posting specifics to keep the seller in the dark) !
Bert
WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
It almost appears like the color on the left side is smeared. Hard to tell what happened other than someone messed the job up. The appearance might be the smallest problem, especially if the receiver is warped. As usual, the wordsmithing of his ad is well-crafted (i.e. it is crafty). The whole thing makes me sigh heavily over the current state of collecting. What makes me sigh the most is his A+ rating as a gunbroker seller. He has 175 pieces of positive feedback. If you look at the last many pieces of feedback where you can read the comments and see what rifle was purchased, you will find they are all rifles with their, “boxes.” All of these buyers are thrilled. Sigh.
Wincacher said
You’re right, Bert, and I too had to use restraint. Unfortunately, some naive suckerwill come along sooner or later.
Hopefully that does not happen… his opening bid price is rather steep. Hopefully I get several email messages from prospective buyers (that is how I am usually alerted to SDOG new offerings) asking questions about it.
Bert
WACA 6571L, Historian & Board of Director Member
Concerning SDOG
He sends me and a few other individuals a list of guns prior to him putting them on GB and unfortunately 95% of the lever guns I have seen have been restored in one fashion or another. He sells many guns before they ever get listed for auction. Just last week he sold a model 70 .243 featherweight with fake box for $2500 before it went to auction. The gun was probably worth $1600.
I have bought several original box guns from SDOG You simply have to know what you’re doing or buy the gun at a fair price and throw the fake box away. I have confronted him about the fake boxes many times.
He has always been good to me as he gives me a money back guarantee if I am not pleased with what I purchased .
Gerald
Deluxe 76 said
Concerning SDOGHe sends me and a few other individuals a list of guns prior to him putting them on GB and unfortunately 95% of the lever guns I have seen have been restored in one fashion or another. He sells many guns before they ever get listed for auction. Just last week he sold a model 70 .243 featherweight with fake box for $2500 before it went to auction. The gun was probably worth $1600.
I have bought several original box guns from SDOG You simply have to know what you’re doing or buy the gun at a fair price and throw the fake box away. I have confronted him about the fake boxes many times.
He has always been good to me as he gives me a money back guarantee if I am not pleased with what I purchased .
Gerald
Curious as to his response to your confronting him about the fake boxes.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
My first experience with SDOG lnvolved a boxed model 42. I told him the box was fake and he disagreed and said the box was original. I told him even though someone stamped the correct product code number on the bottom of the box It did not have the seal of certification. In this case Bird Better Built which gives the capacity of the box and the year of manufacture. He told me that any gun I purchased from him I could return for a full refund if I was not happy .
It makes me sick to see people buy guns thinking they’re getting a real gem when in fact they’re getting a miss represented gun. SDOG is not the only one selling miss represented guns. GB has hundreds and hundreds of individuals selling guns as originals when they have been refinished or altered in someway .
I recall enjoying this thread and reading other’s opinions and experiences regarding re-case color.
I ran across this Winchester 1873 today. Is this the current status of, “professionally restored”?
I also note, “vivid case colors on the frame and lever.”
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