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I noticed on LeRoy Merz site that this model 1873, engraved like 1-1000 rifle has a sale pending, listed on it, for $37,500.00, which I find interesting, as I couldn’t find it, serial number 115119, listed as such in James Gordon’s book or Ed Lewis book. Did I miss it? The letter that accommodates the gun, says engraved barrel, in 1883.
I’m hoping Bob can weigh in here, as his survey might be able to explain this better to me, along with others.
Thanks,
Anthony
It was in a Julia’s Auction in 2014 and then Merz had it since. I believe it is a engraved like 1 of 1000 just that the letter does not say “Like 1000” and “Engraved barrel” is a another way to say it but not a clear.
https://jamesdjulia.com/item/2030-369/
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I looked at that gun , but the letter does”NOT” say “engraved like a 1 of 1000. It is a good looking ’73 however.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
Am I missing something? The sale says 5 piece iron & brass cleaning rod. My 44-40 used a 4 piece IRON cleaning rod & 1876s used 5 piece IRON cleaning rod
However I am usually confused.
Don
It’s a 26 inch barrel so four rods may be a wee bit short. I presume that Merz is referring to the brass ferule on one rod when he mentions iron and brass rods.
Strange it letters with a shotgun butt. It seems to have lost its graduated peep sight somewhere along the way.
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
If this is correct it is not a lot of money. Walt Hallstein sold Ed Lewis a “like a 1 of 1000” for $90,000. I looked at the letter but my memory is not good. Walt had another one, Ser #73524, but it was not as nice and sold for a lot less. I don’t remember for how much but it sold at a Carol Watson auction in 2011. It was valued at 40K to 60K.
The lower tang is marked for a shotgun butt so I would guess a stock swap along the way.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
The lower tang is marked for a shotgun butt so I would guess a stock swap along the way.Bob
And the letter states it was shipped with a shotgun butt. Matching numbers on the lower tang and the tang inlet of the stock. And there is no notation of a return/repair. How does this add up?
I’d buy it if I was able to, but looks like that ship sailed.
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
steve004 said
1873man said
The lower tang is marked for a shotgun butt so I would guess a stock swap along the way.
Bob
And the letter states it was shipped with a shotgun butt. Matching numbers on the lower tang and the tang inlet of the stock. And there is no notation of a return/repair. How does this add up?
I’m not saying the stock has been changed but the numbers are easy to change. T/R
I agree with TR, number stamps into wood would not be very hard to do.
To find a XX shotgun stock to fit and a graduated peep for it are the hard parts. The guns not right and thats a lot of coin for a gun thats not right in my book.
A man can never have too many WINCHESTERS...
After looking at the assembly number in the stock, I don’t like the stamp font style.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Chris D said
I agree with TR, number stamps into wood would not be very hard to do.
To find a XX shotgun stock to fit and a graduated peep for it are the hard parts. The guns not right and thats a lot of coin for a gun thats not right in my book.
Perfect summation, Chris D
I call myself a collector as it sounds better than hoarder
November 7, 2015
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1873man said
After looking at the assembly number in the stock, I don’t like the stamp font style.Bob
Good eye, certainly not the same stamp. The “7” is a totally different style. The inletting bothers me some but I don’t see enough to offer an opinion. Unfortunately will always be an “excuse gun” for the discerning collector as the gun does not match the letter.
Mike
I was able to read through all of the comments, and I can agree with all that was said and noticed.
Like was said, a beautiful rifle, but not being verified as an engraved rifle, “1 of 1000”, in Gordon’s and Lewis books, was a red flag for me, that caused me to post this in the beginning. Considering what a bona fides, “1-1000”, rifle would demand, and even a “engraved, “like a 1-1000”, rifle would command, I too would have a hard time pursuing this, as I did look at it a while back, as LeRoy Merz had this on his site for a while. Bob made a great point to show us that it was in a past auction, (Julia’s, Fall 2014), and it sold for $29,900.00, as the appraised value was, $25-$35,000.00, falling short of the appraisal value, which is not uncommon for a rifle in question, to some, IMO!
With the information on the letter, and the discrepancy, that was pointed out by many, on the S/B, on the letter and the rifle clearly showing the crescent butt, at auction, and on Merz site. Like was also said, there is no record of returning the the factory, of any work performed, in the letter.
To some this may be a discount, at the $37,500.00 on Merz site, but to others, it can be a lot to put into a rifle, that looks nice, but has some discrepancies in question.
Thanks to all who commented.
Anthony
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