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I was checking the upcoming RIA auction for my survey and ran across two 73’s that had been rendered non-functional by weld and removing parts. I can’t understand why anyone would do this. The first gun is engraved and signed by Nimschke it sold at RIA back in 2012 for $12650 and now they have a estimate of $4500 to $7000. When it was sold in 2012 it was not welded.
Current RIA auction of LDN gun
The next one is a engraved first model carbine but not that great of shape and possibly not factory work.
Current RIA auction of Engraved Carbine
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Bob – why no reference to factory letters on these two pieces? I suppose I must know the answer – the factory letters don’t have any information beyond chambering and barrel style. Amazing that the Roy Bean rifle would be welded up after it sold previously – not that long ago. I have no explanation other than perhaps it was displayed somewhere where it needed to not be a functional firearm.
The only thing I can think of is if it was a legal requirement to be permanently welded. If I had to do something like that I would of welded one toggle hinge so you couldn’t cycle the gun and yet it leaves you the ability to restore operation at a later date without affecting its value besides a toggle.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
The only thing I can think of is if it was a legal requirement to be permanently welded. If I had to do something like that I would of welded one toggle hinge so you couldn’t cycle the gun and yet it leaves you the ability to restore operation at a later date without affecting its value besides a toggle.Bob
Yes, and you could always swap out a worn toggle, saving the original for later. Good idea.
I believe 1873man has ‘it’; the rationale, exactly. Not an unusual consequence of “undeclared firearm” import violation such as into an EU nation. A large fine and “if” to avoid forfeiture, subject to rendering inoperative according to terms of law. Such explanation or perhaps touching upon the Thread title, restated as… “Crazy things people do!”
Best & stay safe
John
I would think that the person who bought the gun would have a idea on how he was going to get it into a restricted country if he was spending that kind of money or was he just thinking he will risk smuggling it in. I just checked the 73’s in this auction and not other models so there could be more of his guns that have been welded. Someday this is what it might come to in this country.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I cant speak to the current 1873 having the chamber welded but my dad mentioned to me years ago when he had his gun shop (1960-70’s) it was not uncommon come across short trapper rifles or carbines with the chamber welded if the barrel was less than 16 inches—Im assuming it had some ATF involvement in making the gun inoperable. In this day and age though it doesnt make sense for a rifle like this to have the chamber welded.
I also recall a story Don Heath (a old gun dealer in Dallas who has since passed) told me about an 1873 carbine with a 14″ barrel that he had picked up at one of the shows or from a collection on a trip he had made in the 1970″s. Later in the day, after his return home, an ATF officer came by the shop to review his records. Among those in his ledger were the guns he had purchased on his trip, and he was asked to produce the guns for inspection. When he pulled that 1873 out of the trunk the ATF officer told him he had two choices, either face criminal penalty for being in possession of a restricted firearm or to take it into his shop, under the agents supervision, and cut the barrel at the chamber. So, the 14″ trapper carbine was whacked, at least thats how I recall the the story being relayed.
Too bad about the 1873 in the auction.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
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Canada has some odd regulations where in certain instances they will weld up receivers. I remember a member from Canada had posted on the forum where he had several of his guns stolen, one being a model 86. The thieves cut the barrel down and the butt stock, thusly making the gun’s barrel length and overall length illegal. The gun was later returned to its rightful owner with the bolt welded the entire length the receiver and the hammer to the bolt. It was a crying shame what they had done to it.
On these 73s, I don’t why anyone would take them to auction in that condition. Seems you’d been better off restoring them to functional condition first.
Damn shame.
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Yea Maverick in Canada if a gun is altered like the ’86 You mentioned it becomes a prohibited weapon and must be made inoperable or destroyed. That gun already had the damage done to it. It’s similar in the U.S. only the B.A.T.F. keeps the gun if they determine it’s not factory (trappers). I wonder how many they’ve destroyed, a few I know of.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
1892takedown said
I cant speak to the current 1873 having the chamber welded but my dad mentioned to me years ago when he had his gun shop (1960-70’s) it was not uncommon come across short trapper rifles or carbines with the chamber welded if the barrel was less than 16 inches—Im assuming it had some ATF involvement in making the gun inoperable. In this day and age though it doesnt make sense for a rifle like this to have the chamber welded.I also recall a story Don Heath (a old gun dealer in Dallas who has since passed) told me about an 1873 carbine with a 14″ barrel that he had picked up at one of the shows or from a collection on a trip he had made in the 1970″s. Later in the day, after his return home, an ATF officer came by the shop to review his records. Among those in his ledger were the guns he had purchased on his trip, and he was asked to produce the guns for inspection. When he pulled that 1873 out of the trunk the ATF officer told him he had two choices, either face criminal penalty for being in possession of a restricted firearm or to take it into his shop, under the agents supervision, and cut the barrel at the chamber. So, the 14″ trapper carbine was whacked, at least thats how I recall the the story being relayed.
Too bad about the 1873 in the auction.
It’s interesting you mention Don Heath. He used to put out a mailing list of what he had for sale. It was usually a fairly long list. I was going through a box of stuff recently and found one – it was dated July, 1994. 
Yes, Don put out a list and also took orders for guns for folks. I can remember him from the gun shows my dad promoted in San Antonio in the 1970’s. He is in a number of the photos from the Gun Report Magazines in the 70’s that featured the Alamo Gun Collectors Assn shows. The last time I saw him was about 8-9 years ago at the Tulsa show.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
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