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I’ve been a firearms collector for over 45 Years, and can not figure out why it is that English Proofed Winchester are to be considered LESS VALUABLE than a STANDARD marked Winchester rifle, all things being equal of coarse. I own a Model 1876 English Proofed short rifle in 40-60 Caliber. This rifle was manufactured in 1883-84 and ended up being brought to India from England. This rifle, amoungst other English proofed Winchesters, usually have a much more interesting history than most of the early Winchesters that stayed at home in the U.S.A. Please would one of you Experts out there explain the lower value given these firearms. Of coarse I understand it could be nothing more than the “Market”.
It is as you say nothing more than the market. The lions share of Winchester collectors reside in the U.S. and like it or not the U.S. market seems to drive values pretty much worldwide from what I can see. I have seen a few 86 Winchesters with British proofs and there is less collector interest in these rifles than in 1886 rifles without British proofs. Rarity notwithstanding it seems if marks were applied outside the Winchester factory(except for military markings) value seems to take a hit as the rifle is considered “not original”. My 2 cents.
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