Winchester 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine Cody Letter Question

alabamagunlover · June 22, 2018, 08:56:06 PM

I picked up a Winchester 1873 Saddle Ring Carbine not too long ago. It came with a Cody letter. Today I opened up the envelope and looked at the letter for the first time. Someone had taken a marker and covered up their name and address. I've had a few of these letters before for Colts and Winchesters and this is the first time I've ever seen one with marker on the name and address. Do you think the marker ruins the letter or don't worry about it? I'm keeping the gun and not reselling it. Thanks!!

Coal Creek Griff · June 22, 2018, 09:09:23 PM

Marking out the name and address to maintain the privacy of prior owners is not uncommon. I believe that the only time that affects the value is when it is part of the provenance showing ownership by a particular individual. I wouldn't worry about it, but you could always send for a new letter, which would have your name on it. My opinion only.

CC Griff

alabamagunlover · June 23, 2018, 04:28:30 AM

Thank you!

Cliff Fendley · June 24, 2018, 09:21:58 AM

If the name on the letter means a lot to you and you are keeping the gun you might want to get a new letter with your name on it. That to me makes it nicer.

Coffinmaker · June 24, 2018, 09:54:04 AM

This missive will add no wonderfully material information at all. AS such it may be considered as SPAM and ignored by all. If ignored, I won't be the least bit offended. HOWEVER:

Since I am not a collector of anything (I do have lots of shooters though), my opinion may be thought of a somewhat offensive. Opinion: Unless establishing a paper trail for historical provenance, ie; Prior ownership by some famous or infamous personage, a letter confirming Winchester made the Rifle (duh, we knew that), when it was made (matters not) and where it was originally shipped (now defunct business), the letter is pretty much useless. I must confess however, it has really impressive letterhead. Impressive (stolen famous movie line).

scrubby2009 · June 25, 2018, 11:08:28 PM

Ah, Coffinmaker. Pissing on the indoor plants at the Officers Mess again? As a fellow shooting enthusiast, I've long held a cynical view of the whole "Cody letter" mystique. I sent them a $20 check from my grandfather's bank when I was a lad in the late 1970's. They cashed it and never bothered to verify the early (4,xxx) 1st Model I had received as a gift from ancestors. F@#k a bunch of Cody letters. I've run a thousand rounds thru that antique rifle this year alone. (I chopped a lot of firewood for that $20 too)

Major 2 · June 26, 2018, 04:58:41 AM

ON the other hand...I have a Cody letter for my 1891 "73"....

I'm not a member of the Cody Museum , but a relation of friend is, he offered so, it cost me nothing except a deserved thank you ...

I did get the following interesting information

WINCHESTER MODEL 1873- SERIAL NUMBER 389XXX
Serial number applied on June 10, 1891
Type: Rifle Caliber: 32 Barrel Type: Octagon Trigger: Plain Received in warehouse on June 22, 1891 Shipped from warehouse on August 20, 1891, Order number 9607

However, mine being a emailed copy didn't have the really impressive letterhead.

Cliff Fendley · June 26, 2018, 07:08:20 AM

Quote from: Coffinmaker on June 24, 2018, 09:54:04 AM
This missive will add no wonderfully material information at all. AS such it may be considered as SPAM and ignored by all. If ignored, I won't be the least bit offended. HOWEVER:

Since I am not a collector of anything (I do have lots of shooters though), my opinion may be thought of a somewhat offensive. Opinion: Unless establishing a paper trail for historical provenance, ie; Prior ownership by some famous or infamous personage, a letter confirming Winchester made the Rifle (duh, we knew that), when it was made (matters not) and where it was originally shipped (now defunct business), the letter is pretty much useless. I must confess however, it has really impressive letterhead. Impressive (stolen famous movie line).

It does mean something to collectors if the rifle has a combination of not so common configurations as to if it was shipped that way confirming it is all original. Longer barrels and set triggers. Half round, half magazines, etc.

Cliff Fendley · June 26, 2018, 07:13:32 AM

If it's just a common old rifle with 24 inch barrel and no extras then it's pretty much a waste to get a letter on it. Collectors I know generally only get a letter to verify various out of the ordinary variations.

Coffinmaker · June 26, 2018, 10:11:51 AM

Well ........ I'm kind of out of the ordinary. And I'm an Antique. Some say I have some rather unique features. I wonder if "they" would issue a letter on "ME" and make me more valuable to Collectors. Hummmmmmmmmmm

Major 2 · June 26, 2018, 11:51:54 AM

Reminds me of the story....

A private , wandered around searching the parade grounds picking up shards of paper of all kinds ... He kept mumbling " that's not it " ..." That's not it "

He came under the eye of the captain and then the major ....after a fashion the two determined the private was NUTS ....

As he just kept on looking, picking up & mumbling "That's not it " ....

Finally , the two officers , handed the private the "SECTION 8" discharge Letter ......That's IT ! the private yelled ....

Here's you letter