Yves Halliburton
Elite Cafe Member
Chris, Ron has it right. Just think of what the Winchester 1873 would be worth if Ron never engraved the one at the FEGA show. Not even close to what it went for. Furthermore, the value original winchester's to me only comes into play when it is in near perfect shape, with documentation and proof that no parts have been changed. And/or it is from someone famous or engraved. This is a rarety and usually beyond any of our financial capabilities. So when you find one that is in good shape but still needs work, go do it. I have yet to find an 1873 with the dust cover spring not busted. I always replace all the screws and springs. I hope the purist do not know about Albert Buckingham as he has hundreds of 1873's that he has stripped and parted out. So, go to work and enjoy enhancing a great piece of history. As a last thought, I love these old guns and shoot all the ones I have. 1873, 85, 92, 94, 95 etc. I am in the beginining stages of restoring "to shoot" an 1885 Highwall with a #4 heavy barrel, close coupled double set trigs, pistol grip. Other than the special exceptions, I do not have any wall hangers.