I don’t know much about old Winchesters and this one is certainly beyond my “keep from getting shot by my wife” price range, but an interesting rifle nonetheless. The barrel has been reblued and I’m wondering what other gotchas might be there that a novice like me would never notice? Here is the link: https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/87/18/earliest-known-winchester-first-model-1873-carbine (sorry for the typo in the title)
Jerry
I'm more of a shooter than a collector, but I do have a few collectibles.
Philippians 1:6
jertex said
I don’t know much about old Winchesters and this one is certainly beyond my “keep from getting shot by my wife” price range, but an interesting rifle nonetheless. The barrel has been reblued and I’m wondering what other gotchas might be there that a novice like me would never notice? Here is the link: https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/87/18/earliest-known-winchester-first-model-1873-carbine (sorry for the typo in the title)
I’m with Steve on reblue, especially at this price. Might over look it…if I had $60k to play with!
Rick C
The Barrel isn’t a “Re-blue” its a replacement. Majority of the carbine has been recently freshened up. This SRC has changed hands several times overall the years. Its been sold in the past by LeRoy Merz, and Greg Martin auctions. The current barrel address on the RIA pics don’t match LeRoy’s or Greg’s photos of the barrel.Look at the photos and notice how far away the rear sight is now farther away than it used to be.
Also the hammer, trigger, and lever look like to have been re-case hardened or improved some how.
I think when Greg Martin sold it in 2005, it when for around $5-6,000.00. I know inflation is a real thing. But it looks like someone has moved the decimal place in few years.
I love the history of the piece, but think the price is out of line. Just my opinion.
Sincerely,
Maverick
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https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
Early round barrel 73’s normally have a very light barrel address and this one is not. It was for sale in a 1971 Gun Report (no pictures) but they described the gun including the very light barrel address and they also said it was refinished at that time.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
TR said
Hammered at RIA for $47,500.What parts from serial number 47 are on this gun? T/R
I just don’t get it and must admit I have been baffled for quite some time regarding the crazy money some will pay for a gun that basc research will confirm is not original and correct. Evidently the buyer is just throwing a lot of cash at a low serial number and does not know, does not understand or does not have any concern about originality. Anymore I just have to bite my lip and shut up because everyone is entitled buy what they like and what they want to spend their money on. There are so many auction guns being tucked away that are not right. At some point this gun will get sold again and I suppose the price will just keep escalating. A guy can buy a really nice, high condition 73 that is original and correct for less money.
I would think that RIA would keep a master database on guns that have been “around the block”. None the less …. with the ability to use Google to look up the serial number of most any gun that had a previous auction listing or was sold via a dealer that had an internet web page … it surprises me that RIA did not catch how this Carbine has “morphed” over the years. They REALLY missed the mark on how this gun was represented both in the catalog listing as well as at the live auction. Hype was omnipresent… ethics, trust and a possible fiduciary responsibility have all succumbed to money and greed.
It is an expensive game that is played by “big boy rules” … “caveat emptor”, certainly applies here.
Mike
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