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Well, the quest for a Colt Walker may not be completed for a few decades, so keep posted, but prepare for the long haul!
Having said that, as far as SELLING goes, a national auction house is the way to go. As far as BUYING, I may NEVER pull the trigger (pun intended!) on a Colt Walker, as there are LOTS of fakes out there, and the national auction houses are FAR from foolproof. I think you are MUCH more likely to get ‘stuck’ on a firearm worth 5 or 6 figures, than one in the under 5 figure range, as there is more opportunity to make money, and more incentive to fake, in the higher ranges.
mrcvs;
You obviously must consider yourself a “Expert” in the field of being able to tell a really Good Original from a Great Upgraded Restoration. If so you’re probably one of perhaps less than 10 people in the world. Good for you. It’s been my experence that finding a, let’s say, a Winchester 1873, one with 95% of its original Case Colored componants still looking like they just came out of the factory, a barrel with a perfect shiney bore, the original Nitre Blued and Rust Blued parts, magnificent. Figured Wood stock and Forearm beyond description. All this for under $6000.00 – $8000.00. Wow. A dream come true, but still just a dream. Don’t believe the BS that a firearm can sit in a closet for over 125 years in most of these United States and show little if any signs of oxidation, internal rust (patina), wood destroying mold. If you do however find one in this beautiful condition as described above, and you do buy it for the above price, convinced it’s an “Original High Conditioned” 1873, 9 out of 10 you’ve met a Great Upgraded Restoration piece. But few can tell? I won’t.
Apache
Apache,
I have a one of those high condition 73’s. I bought a 73 musket this winter for $6k, one of those in the 570,xxx range that were imported back into the US from South America. Those guns were crated until the 50’s or 60’s when they were imported. A lot of them have rust spots from salt air but I found one with no rust spots. I bought it as a sample of what the finish of a mint condition gun should look like. I also bought a real nice 73 2nd model rifle that was restored by Rogers as a sample of what is possible. The key to knowing if its real or redone is to know what the fit & finish should look like.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
apache said
mrcvs;
You obviously must consider yourself a “Expert” in the field of being able to tell a really Good Original from a Great Upgraded Restoration. If so you’re probably one of perhaps less than 10 people in the world. Good for you. It’s been my experence that finding a, let’s say, a Winchester 1873, one with 95% of its original Case Colored componants still looking like they just came out of the factory, a barrel with a perfect shiney bore, the original Nitre Blued and Rust Blued parts, magnificent. Figured Wood stock and Forearm beyond description. All this for under $6000.00 – $8000.00. Wow. A dream come true, but still just a dream. Don’t believe the BS that a firearm can sit in a closet for over 125 years in most of these United States and show little if any signs of oxidation, internal rust (patina), wood destroying mold. If you do however find one in this beautiful condition as described above, and you do buy it for the above price, convinced it’s an “Original High Conditioned” 1873, 9 out of 10 you’ve met a Great Upgraded Restoration piece. But few can tell? I won’t.
Apache
No, it is often difficult to tell a really Good Original from a Great Upgraded Restoration. When these are offered for sale, they are definitely out of my price range–well in excess of five figures, sometimes considerably so ($25,000 to $50,000 + (or +++!)). Given the value, there is incentive to fake or misrepresent. I avoid these because, first, it is a bit out of my price range, and, secondly, there is great opportunity to get taken!
The stuff I tend to collect are high condition Winchester 1886’s, 1894’s and 1892’s, with few, if any features, but in 90% + (or ++) original condition. Yes, there can be fraudulent guns in this price range, but there is less incentive to mis-represent in this price range.
If I did find an 1873 in impeccable condition with all the bells and whistles for under $6,000 to $8,000, I would likely think something HAS to be wrong with this one, and think the odds of this NOT being the case slim to none! By the way, I have never spent over $6,000 for a Winchester.
1873man and mrcvs;
Nice going on your 1873 Musket purchased for $6K. I don’t know who “Rogers” is, but if you’re happy with his work, that’s all that matters.
mrcvs;
Winchester Model 1886’s as a rule usually go for a higher price in a “Plain” non “Special Order” configuration than does the 1873 in an equal condition. If you’re able to get 1886’s in 90%++ or better original condition for around $4k – $6k amount, you’re doing better than most can. Keep it up, good job.
Apache
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