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Such as this Model 1873: https://www.morphyauctions.com/jamesdjulia/item/lot-1055-winchester-model-1873-lever-action-rifle-44574/
The letter does not indicate that this shipped with fancy walnut. Problematic, or not? Certainly seems to raise a red flag.
This statement is problematic and purely speculation: “This rifle almost certainly was special ordered with the European walnut although the bottom tang and buttstock are not marked with an assembly number. Wood appears orig to this rifle as the wood to metal fit is as near perfect as one could ask and almost certainly is from the factory.”
An attempt to justify that which might not be correct?
Comments?
73’s rarely letter with the grade of wood. Most of the time when I see a checkered pistol grip gun in the ledger and then see it in person it has deluxe wood with no grade indicated in the ledger. The grade of the wood on this gun does not raise to the level of deluxe wood from I’ve seen.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Okay, good to know.
You can say what you want, but a lot of the Wes Adams collection was enhanced to reflect Wes Adams’ deep pockets and his willingness to pay top dollar. I’m not saying this one was “helped”, but it wouldn’t surprise me. The forge marks on the receiver are encouraging, however.
I think this one brought top dollar, for what it is, in 2012, at $12,650. In today’s market…I would suspect little more than half that would be about right.
One thing that is suspicious is that, as you say, the quality of the walnut is not that of fancy or deluxe grade, the finish I would expect to be duller, not as shiny.
1873man, as far as valuation today, what are your thoughts?
Its about a 9 to10k gun. It has some condition issues with light surface rust and the European walnut does not add to the looks of the gun. It was in their April 2017 auction as well but didn’t sell. It had a estimate of 10 -12.5k. Check out lot 1045 before it for comparison.
https://www.morphyauctions.com/jamesdjulia/item/1046-396/
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
mrcvs said
Okay, good to know.You can say what you want, but a lot of the Wes Adams collection was enhanced to reflect Wes Adams’ deep pockets and his willingness to pay top dollar. I’m not saying this one was “helped”, but it wouldn’t surprise me. The forge marks on the receiver are encouraging, however.
I think this one brought top dollar, for what it is, in 2012, at $12,650. In today’s market…I would suspect little more than half that would be about right.
One thing that is suspicious is that, as you say, the quality of the walnut is not that of fancy or deluxe grade, the finish I would expect to be duller, not as shiny.
1873man, as far as valuation today, what are your thoughts?
I have had a lot of 73’s over the years, both plain jane guns and high condition deluxes. I have never had a 73 that mentioned the wood in the records. As an example I have attached a photo and letter of one I still have – the letter says nothing relative to the wood, just “checkered”. If this gun has been “helped” I would be interested in hearing some specifics on where and how. It is a standard grade, blued gun so my assumption is that it would not have the highest quality of wood from the factory.
I would call this unusual wood but it is not Fancy. What is European walnut? I have heard of English. But this is not English either.
I have ’73 s.r.c. ser#143213 , letter reads carbine, engraved, gold trim, Peruvian coat of arms on left side plate, X STOCK, etc. I don’t know what the “etc” is but I suspect it refers to the other 5 guns that were on this order#9416, but the wood does letter and there is a single “x” on the tang.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
Here is one of mine that letter one X.
Then here is another one that does not letter the grade but is marked XXXX (four X)
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
Here is one of mine that letter one X.
Then here is another one that does not letter the grade but is marked XXXX (four X)
Bob
Bob – thanks for posting photos of the 73’s – they are both awesome specimens – the wood on the standard grade gun is as nice as I remember seeing on a non-checkered Model 73. And, the quality of your photos is superb. I remember 40 years ago when the only pictures you saw were poor black & white photos in the Madis book!
1873man said
Its about a 9 to10k gun. It has some condition issues with light surface rust and the European walnut does not add to the looks of the gun. It was in their April 2017 auction as well but didn’t sell. It had a estimate of 10 -12.5k. Check out lot 1045 before it for comparison.https://www.morphyauctions.com/jamesdjulia/item/1046-396/
Bob
Well, the market has only softened since 2017.
If the pre auction estimate was 10 to 12.5k, the opening bid at Julia’s and many other auction houses is half the low end estimate. This means this firearm didn’t even make the opening bid of $5000. Not a good investment over 5 years time!
I think the round barrel hurts it, but it seems like it shouldn’t hurt it THAT much.
mrcvs said
Well, the market has only softened since 2017.
If the pre auction estimate was 10 to 12.5k, the opening bid at Julia’s and many other auction houses is half the low end estimate. This means this firearm didn’t even make the opening bid of $5000. Not a good investment over 5 years time!
I think the round barrel hurts it, but it seems like it shouldn’t hurt it THAT much.
I have to agree with mrcvs about the current market. And there’s nothing to suggest it changing anytime soon.
AG
1873man said
Here is one of mine that letter one X.
Really nice gun. I like the front and rear sights too.
Does the Cody letter on this one indicate this rifle was shipped with 1X grade wood?
By the way, a factory recoil pad is a rare feature on a Winchester lever rifle. And this one letters with a Silvers pad and has a Silvers pad. I sure question whether that particular pad was on that rifle when it was shipped. I realize the original pad may have been crumbling and needed to be replaced. Still, it is a distraction for me – it sort of stands out like a sore thumb given the wear on the rest of the rifle. So, here’s an example where the feature (pad), “letters” but still… other’s reaction?
steve004 said
Does the Cody letter on this one indicate this rifle was shipped with 1X grade wood?By the way, a factory recoil pad is a rare feature on a Winchester lever rifle. And this one letters with a Silvers pad and has a Silvers pad. I sure question whether that particular pad was on that rifle when it was shipped. I realize the original pad may have been crumbling and needed to be replaced. Still, it is a distraction for me – it sort of stands out like a sore thumb given the wear on the rest of the rifle. So, here’s an example where the feature (pad), “letters” but still… other’s reaction?
Steve,
That’s a nice rifle, I think the pad is a replacement because it looks too new. If it’s a Silvers pad, it wouldn’t bother me too much.
Al
The gun in the OP does not state grade of wood.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
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