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Does anyone have any thoughts or comments about the authenticity of the 1873 “1 of 1000” currently on Gunbroker for $180K? (I am sorry that I do not know how to provide the link). Thanks.
Here is the link: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/879888875
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
That seller (used to be “Selling Dad’s Old Guns”) is notorious for selling fakes, guns in fake boxes, etc. I personally would not touch anything this seller has to offer. Buyer beware.
Without looking at the firearm, I would still bet The Farm that it is not an original…based only on the reputation and history of the seller.
The serial number of the gun for sale is 31267, yet on the photo taken from the book (picture 6), shows a gun with serial number 31270. How does this prove any provenance?
tionesta1 said
The serial number of the gun for sale is 31267, yet on the photo taken from the book (picture 6), shows a gun with serial number 31270. How does this prove any provenance?
Ha! I missed that! Most likely a made up gun to match a letter in my opinion.
The serial number on the letter is listed in the 1 of 1000 book. The gun looks similar to what Roger, Turnbull or others can do. I couldn’t comment further without holding the gun in my hands. Turnbull has records, Roger had records. Not sure where Roger’s records went? Roger also marked all of his restorations, but in a place that is not easily seen. Certain WACA members also know about restored Winchesters because they did stuff for Roger.
I won’t comment on this one, but there’s a lot of high priced rifles out there made up to match a factory letter. Makes me appreciate (all the more) some of my more lower finish pieces.
Well, the front sight is not original to the rifle. It’s a Lyman #5 combination sight which was not offered in 1878 when this rifle was supposedly made. It’s not a Beach combination sight. We have beat this horse to death over on the sight page.
Also, the tang sight looks suspect. It looks like it might be a reproduction thin base (introduced 1887) graduated peep sight.
Finally, the dust cover looks like a reproduction to me.
“Something is rotten in the state in Denmark”
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
Bill Hockett said
Well, the front sight is not original to the rifle. It’s a Lyman #5 combination sight which was not offered in 1878 when this rifle was supposedly made. It’s not a Beach combination sight. We have beat this horse to death over on the sight page.Also, the tang sight looks suspect. It looks like it might be a reproduction thin base (introduced 1887) graduated peep sight.
Finally, the dust cover looks like a reproduction to me.
“Something is rotten in the state in Denmark”
Seeing who the seller was told me everything I needed to know about this rifle.
One of the most historic and prominent 1 of 1000 73’s in existence, is coming up for auction at Rock Island in early December. This is serial #7282. This rifle, from the collection of the late John E. Fox, was ordered by Granville Stuart in 1875. I know this rifle very well as John was a close friend for almost 50 years and we lived just a few miles from eachother.
win4575 said
One of the most historic and prominent 1 of 1000 73’s in existence, is coming up for auction at Rock Island in early December. This is serial #7282. This rifle, from the collection of the late John E. Fox, was ordered by Granville Stuart in 1875. I know this rifle very well as John was a close friend for almost 50 years and we lived just a few miles from eachother.
Do you have a speculation what it will sell for?
Regarding the thumb print dust cover, my 1876 made in Sept. 1878 has a much finer pattern. I realize mine is 1876 but still was made 2 months before this one. Wouldn’t Winchester be using same covers within 2 months? Also, are those cleaning rods original to the gun? Very shiny and smooth. I have a 4 piece rod that I don’t know if is real or repro. I just measured the threads, 32 TPI on 1/4″ long shank. Comments will be interesting and welcome. Don
Restored guns are just one part from a clone. When I see a restored gun the first thing I try to establish is what’s original to that gun, if anything. If a gun is bad enough to restore it’s hard to use the original parts, they become under size. In the case of an engraved barrel you have to remove the old engraving and cut new engraving making the barrel smaller. Any steel with pits, thin marking, or dings have to be welded then machined or stamped. The wood gets sanded and is under size. So they use good condition donor guns, the better the donor gun the nicer the finished product. On a 73 the serial number is on the removable lower tang. The best way to restore a 1 of 1000 would be to buy a very expensive donor gun in the same configuration and serial number range, change the lower tang, then send it to the restorer. It’s all made by Winchester and hard to tell the only thing that came on a 1 of 1000 is the lower tang. The cheapest way to restore is to buy a new barrel, tube, wood, and other misc. parts, but it’s easy to tell it’s not real. If you buy a restored 1 of 1000, you better have documentation to the restoration including before pictures. T/R
November 7, 2015
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I’d offer this guy a quarter for a silver dollar…maybe…if I was feeling charitable…or feeling adventurous. Sad thing is this guy probably has some really good stuff but we’ll never know because we’ll never trust him.
Mike
steve004 said
Do you have a speculation what it will sell for?
I have an idea of it’s value right now, but the auction isn’t until after the election. I think things might change, depending on that outcome. My catalogs should arrive in about 3 weeks. I’m anxious to see what estimate range RIA put on the rifle.
Gunbroker 1873 ‘1 of 1000’ vs serial 31270.
A man can never have too many WINCHESTERS...
Aussie Chris said
Gunbroker 1873 ‘1 of 1000’ vs serial 31270.
Amazing difference.
There is a wide difference in the engraving patterns on the 1 of 1000’s if you look in the 1 of 1000 books so you can’t go by that instead you have to compare the engraving quality. The engraving on this gun in my option is not up to Winchesters standards, the barrel address is real as far as I can see.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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