Winchester 1873 help needed....buy or no buy
Guys:
A buddy of mine send me some info last night of a Winchester 73 In 44-40 that his brother in law is looking to sell. It's a third model carbine in the 400,000 serial number range. Markings are all crisp and clear, action cycles smooth, and all parts appear complete and screws un buggered. It needs a little clean up of some slight surface rust but other wise appears in good shape......except it has a noticeable barrel bulge.
He is asking $1,000 for the rifle. At this price is it worth it? I would prefer to keep the rifle original but I don't have anything that doesn't get shot on occasion. Replacing the barrel is an option but could be that that makes it not financially worth it.
What are the thoughts from you fellows on this?
I wouldn't pay that much. While most of it sounds good, the buldged barrel means a barrel replacement. That pretty much totals any real collectors value and puts it into a "shooter" catagory.
Fuck that its a wall hanger with bulged barrel, i wouldent offer more than $400 and thats because its a friends brother.
Thanks guys! This was pretty much what I was thinking but I appreciate the opinions. It was his great granddad's or something so I guess the sentimental value is the reason for the price and he doesn't want to come down. I told him he should just keep it as a family heirloom.
