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What does it mean to re-line a bore, and does this diminish the value of a rifle? I’m looking at an antique 1892 in 44-40, the listing states it has an excellent re-lined bore. Thanks
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A relined bore requires drilling out the original bore to an oversized diameter, then precisely inserting a rifled steel tube inside the bored out barrel. Yes, it greatly diminishes the value of an otherwise collectable Winchester.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Keith Ryan said
What does it mean to re-line a bore, and does this diminish the value of a rifle? I’m looking at an antique 1892 in 44-40, the listing states it has an excellent re-lined bore. Thanks
“Excellent”? Problem with lining work of unknown origin is that it may have been done with the precision of a master gunsmith using a top-quality liner, or it may be a do-it-yourself job by an amateur who bought a cheap lining kit from Brownell’s. You might ask who did the work, but the dealer probably doesn’t know (or care). If it’s truly a pre-1899 “antique,” that would add to its value, but not enough to compensate for the lining job. Still, if your interest is in shooting it, & the price reflects the modification, it might be a fair deal, because original .44-40s have been priced out of reach of most shooters. What’s the asking price?
Thanks so much for the replies! It’s going for $900 a day out from auction, condition is Good (NRA Antique). And the caliber mark has been re-stamped.
Keith Ryan said
And the caliber mark has been re-stamped.
That would queer it for me for any price above about $500. Means it’s been rechambered from another caliber, so can’t know how well it functions. You can buy a Rossi repro for less money that would probably be a better shooter.
November 7, 2015
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Sounds like a decent shooter if that’s what you want. I’ve heard that a properly refined barrel is more accurate than an original barrel but in a 44WCF you’d be hard pressed to prove it. Clarence has a good point about the possibility of a re-chamber, could take the fun out of it. I re-lined a 32WCF awhile back; lots of fun with target sights and stingy with lead and powder.
Mike
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