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Hi Guys,
Does anyone have a photograph of a legitimate near 100% model 65 in 25-20. Preferably one that is a real photo and not one taken from a website. I have the opportunity to acquire one but would like to know what i need to look for in case it is a possible re-blue.. The gentleman that has the rifle said he purchased it from a doctor some 40 years ago who might have never fire it….And in turn he never really shot it after acquiring it. I am going to see the rifle tonight and hopefully i can get some clear pictures!
So how can i tell if it has been re-blued? And what would be a estimated value for it vs. a selling value? i know Don Grove has one on his site in 218 bee for 5k….and the one i am looking at is in even better condition.
Thanks guys!
I’ll try and get a serial number for you Bert!
Manuel,
Recognizing a reblue is not model specific. The same telltales are going to be the same, color of blue, the finish of the metal, rounding of the corners and sharpness of the stampings. One of the hardest guns to judge is a gun the is near mint since it lacks wear that that will show the guns age.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Manny,
The first thing I look at is the proof marks on the frame ring and barrel. If it has a flat (uncrowned) muzzle, look to see if it is in the white, or blued (reblue).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
The proof marks are super important but if they are proud and stamped on top of the blue that fact no longer means as much as it used to. Now so many gunsmiths and fakers have PW stamps that many reblues are seen with proud stampings.
If you do not know how to recognize originality you need to take a trusted friend who does with you. Expertise on originality cannot be learned form a few posts on a website. It takes years of hands on experience and training with other experts.
One of the key things I look for is overall how does the gun look. The wood should have a few minor handling marks, this was not a collectible when is first purchased and stored. I have seen a few guns with a hint of wear and the wood has been steamed to make it perfect. The bluing will have wear also, Look at guns that are 99% complete and they have wear marks from cycling and touching the gun. If it looks like a brand new gun from the store, i would be overly cautious inspecting the rifle.
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