winchester 1876
Friends I have a Win. 76 ser. 11395 in 45-75 cal. The rifle is in excellent condition but has no caliber markings anywhere. Usually on the brass elevator or stamped on the barrel ahead of the receiver but this one has no markings of caliber. Does this mean that someone has tampered with the rifle or did some come that way?
Thanks----Howie
Thanks----Howie
0
-
New on computers, new on this forum. My father-in-law had in his possesion since prior to 1920 this 45-60 which I aquired upon his death in 1961. Recently decided to gather info and had some stock work done. Created unbelievable interest, especially the I. W. Fox Rochester stamp on the sideplate. Serial # not readable and may have been deleted intentionaly. I understand these were engraved rather than stamped and may not be retrevable. Any ideas ? All will be appreciated. 0 -
I'm guessing here but look on the lower receiver tang with the buttstock removed for a serial number.
Also look on the buttstock under the buttplate.
Alterations on these collectibles decreases value fast. I hope the stockwork was only a repair.0 -
Hello doggun4...
The serial number was only marked in one location on the Model 1876... on the lower tang between the finger lever latch and the rear stock screw hole (near the end of the lower tang), and it was stamped, not engraved. Serial numbers were not applied to the inside edge of the lower tang like the early Model 1866s. If the serial number is illegible or completely gone, it does not bode well for the collector value, as that is the only piece of information that allows it to be researched. Almost all other markings (such as those you mention on the side plate) are irrelevant without the serial number. The good news, is probably only about half of the total 63,871 Model 1876s made survive today, and even those that can not be completely verified are worth at a few thousand if they are complete and functional. The stock work (depending upon exactly what was done) was probably a big mistake. All "Antique" Winchesters should be left "as is" in their original state.
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0 -
Art and Bert,
Would the "Fox" indicate a studio?0 -
quote:Originally posted by 101AIRBORNE
Art and Bert,
Would the "Fox" indicate a studio?
I really doubt it, but in truth, there is no way to tell for sure.
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0 -
Bert- Would a letter from the Cody Museum show if Winchester put that type of personal engraving on a gun?
Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob0 -
quote:Originally posted by Hangfire
Bert- Would a letter from the Cody Museum show if Winchester put that type of personal engraving on a gun?
Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob
Bob... sometimes it will, but without a serial number there is no way to have it researched, and that is why I made this statement in my first reply...
quote:If the serial number is illegible or completely gone, it does not bode well for the collector value, as that is the only piece of information that allows it to be researched.
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0 -
Yeah, I was just asking a general question.I sure hope they didn't file that number off completely while working on the wood[xx(]Thanks
Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob
" have doubts that the serial number was filed off... more likely it was buffed/polished out when it was refinished. The serial numbers on the Model 1876 were not stamped very deeply, nor were they on the early 1885s and 1886s. A file will normally leave distinguishable clues as to its use. If the serial number was polished/buffed out, or lightly filed off, it can be chemically lifted with the use of acid... but it is something that should only be done by someone who knows exactly what they are doing. My good friend (and expert Winchester restoration specialist) Roger Kurtz has done it on several different occasions for the express purpose of getting a Cody letter.
Bert H."
I know sometimes people will sand down the wood then find the metal is proud of the surface. Then out comes the file to bring down the metal to match.Oh well, the damage has been done....lets just hope the number is recoverable.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Hangfire
Yeah, I was just asking a general question.I sure hope they didn't file that number off completely while working on the wood[xx(]Thanks
Love them Pre-64's!!!!-Bob
I have doubts that the serial number was filed off... more likely it was buffed/polished out when it was refinished. The serial numbers on the Model 1876 were not stamped very deeply, nor were they on the early 1885s and 1886s. A file will normally leave distinguishable clues as to its use. If the serial number was polished/buffed out, or lightly filed off, it can be chemically lifted with the use of acid... but it is something that should only be done by someone who knows exactly what they are doing. My good friend (and expert Winchester restoration specialist) Roger Kurtz has done it on several different occasions for the express purpose of getting a Cody letter.
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0 -
Thanks for responding everyone. The stockwork done was replacement but I have the originals. They were not in the best of condition- broken with missing pieces and somewhat repaired. I wanted to make it a shooter as the overall condition is very good, bore is excellent. I don't believe any thing had ever been done to the gun before and the wood was original. I never could find a serial number and was told it had been removed by the stock maker. He did a nice job on the wood replacement. The missing number makes me wonder about the story my Mother-in-law told me about how he obtained it at age 15. By the way, there is a number on the butt stock under the tang which I was told was an assembly number. 0 -
Hello doggun4...
Ahh... much as I suspected, the serial number was most likely unintentionally buffed out when the stock work was being done. The number you found on the buttplate is indeed an assembly number.
Bert H.
Real Men use a SINGLE-SHOT!0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
11 comments