Any comments on the originality of RIA auction officers model?

[guncrank]

I see this at the RIA auction coming up this week. https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/1042/6144 It looks original but I question the front sight (no pin on it), the lack of a witness mark on the receiver and the engraving. It has seen a lot of use and maybe abuse?

[Tom Trevor]

Very well worn rifle. Very rare tang sight but looks like the eye cup is off an H-R officers rifle beech sight is not clear enough to tell if its an original of one made by Lyman. I suppose its worth 5-6 if you just want an example. Its best to wait for a better one to come along.OFFICERS RIFLES.jpg

[Allen]

Nice display YOU have.

[Dick Hosmer]

M1875 Officers OA copy.jpgI think it's real, but not a particularly primo specimen. Though, some of us could never afford five-figures for a nice one. Mine has a lot more wear than that one, but the same very rare SA-designed one-screw tang sight. I always drool over Tom's, who was kind enough, many years ago, to provide me with a Beach front sight.

[lyman]

wondering where they got that one from,

I spoke to a gent a couple months ago that was enquiring about value etc for a well used example a widow he knew had,

this did not appear to be a dude trying to scam a widow, I got the impression it was a friend of the family looking to get the most possible for the widow and family,
anyhoo, I did not get to see it, (only got a rather vague verbal description)
however that vague description fits this rifle,,,,,

he mentioned auction houses as a possible option, and I concurred and suggested he shop around and negotiate rates ,

maybe the same, maybe not,



oddly enough, and slightly off topic, I have seen more for sale in the past 4 yrs or so than I have in the past 20,
and was offered one just a couple weeks ago that I need to go look at

[Allen]

oddly enough, and slightly off topic, I have seen more for sale in the past 4 yrs or so than I have in the past 20,
and was offered one just a couple weeks ago that I need to go look at

I wonder if this is a result of so many of us realizing we need to thin our herds or the early signs of the upcoming recession.

[Dick Hosmer]

Both of those, but also just the aging of the trapdoor enthusiasts in general. I need to thin down but am torn between selling the good stuff (because it will bring the money) and keeping the chaff just to have a couple - or vice versa. One thing for sure, anything you sell you will NEVER be able to reacquire. Well, that's not always true - I just had a miraculous event with a a very nice (and previously-owned by me) 1895 Krag carbine, in which I spent $xxxx to return to previous status of having just $90 (1972) in it! I could sell it again, for big bucks, but Karma says "no". That one's a keeper!

[Allen]

I remember the story on your Krag. You need to be buried with that one.

[Tom Trevor]

Sold today for 8813.00. More than I thought it would bring. All you need in an auction is two bidders who want something.

[lyman]

Dick ,

you may have seen or have corresponded with the owner of the OM I referenced,

I also had a conversation with someone else you may know regarding selling some of his collection,

I'll shoot you an email when I get a chance