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July 15, 2021
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No assemble numbers. Maybe I’m looking at the wrong area, but I don’t see anything anywhere
May 2, 2009
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I see it letters as cased hardened and with the copper under the nickel it tells me it was plated by someone other than Winchester at a later date. I also find it odd that you have match numbers inside the sideplates but no assemble numbers which should be on the left side of the lower tang, on the top inlet of the stock and the inside of the buttplate at the toe.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
July 15, 2021
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thanks Bob for all your input. I have no idea the history of this gun so your sleuthing is all we can go by.
No numbers on the stock anywhere.
here’s some close ups of the plating.
I assumed it had no collector value when I bought it and the price I paid reflected that. On the other hand……it would have been really cool if it lettered.
all in all I’m happy. Overall it looks right, and It’s in great shape with a shiny bore. ???
June 4, 2017
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Luthier,
It is my opinion that when I see a different finish on only the parts that come off a Winchester with a screwdriver, it’s not original. An old two tone pickup was not made with just the doors a different color. That said there’s always an exception. The fact that you bought it priced for a non original gun makes it a fun gun. T/R
March 15, 2020
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My 1885 low-wall letters with a nickel butt plate but it also has a nickel receiver. This rifle has single set trigger and special folding rear sight which are not in letter. However it has CF on lower tang which indicates CUSTOM FITTINGS. I view the records as which employee on that day felt what items were important to record and how busy that employee was that day. In reading old NEW HAVEN newspapers I find the turnover of employees fluctuated with the prevailing sales. Has anybody ever found 2 employees agreeing on how exactly to do a job? Don
June 4, 2017
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On Friday at Tulsa I found a 1894 of interest to me, a OBFMCB 38/55. After first inspection it looked original with all parts showing normal wear, but it was on a dealers table under the money with no letter. Most of the dealers guns had letters, I had the serial number run thru Cody and it lettered with a set trigger. I had a friend look and he thought the lower tang matched but it had been switched. Even though the price was right the gun was probably not right so it stayed on the table.
If a gun can be lettered, the letter better match or the price suffers. In this case I wasn’t looking for a fun gun, so it wasn’t right for me. T/R
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