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September 22, 2011
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tionesta1 said
deerhunter said
It’s too bad all factory letters aren’t like this one:
Here’s an interesting letter that I’ve posted before, but since we’re on the topic:
As far as valuation, if the letter doesn’t state the modification, I must discount it significantly. With the annotation, provided the firearm matches the altered state in the letter, I would discount it very little, perhaps even not at all.
What is the opinion of others with regards to this matter?
November 7, 2015
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steve004 said
Those above two factory letters are wonderfully informative in describing what was done to the rifles when they were returned. This makes me wonder why some notations provide such excellent detail while others say no more than, R&R and the dateWas it just the motivation of the employee or?
It’s a shame more ledger entries are not more detailed. Rather disappointing someone took the time to dig up the ledger but elected not to add a few details. I suppose the information was on the work order and that met their needs. As has been pointed it’s unlikely the Winchester employees had any idea how interested we would be in these records several decades later. More entries like this would eliminate lots of “excuse” guns.
Mike
September 19, 2014
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I vote for it being the employee. Possibly bored so wrote more than usual. I have one letter for a Model 1873 that is very long and describes all the various changes to the rifle. At the time I bought it and got the letter, I couldn’t help but wonder just why it was purchased to begin with as they changed nearly everything about the rifle! The Model 1894 two barrel rifle (shows also in the Armax list) was sent back twice and all that is recorded is “R&R” with the dates. At least for one modification or repair, JPP is on the barrel and the work order number. I think that was when the barrels were cut from the original 24 inches to 20 inches, but without the work order who can truly say? Tim
December 21, 2006
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I believe I’ve already stated My opinion on the effect on value of a gun regarding factory letter discepancies. When I am puchasing a Winchester , I am the only guy that I need to satisfy as far as originallity / value etc.. If the gun is very obviously non original , then it ain’t near the value of a deemed original gun. We’ve had this discussion before , about restored vs: original, value , desireability etc.. I say this all depends on the individual’s preferances.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
