Post by artemis on Jan 29, 2010 11:16:06 GMT -5
Hello Everyone...I am new here and am trying to snoop around for some info regarding a hand-me-down 1907 I received. While not in as good of shape as most of those I have seen posted on these message boards, it has two redeeming qualities that I have yet to find.
First, I have an old scabbard that goes with it (which may indicate use by a horseman of some sort), with no identifiable marks. The leather is what I would refer to as "dying". It is flaking and if you touch it, you are stained with rust colored dust. I put it away, but need to retreat it or something. I have heard that the scabbard may have as much history as the rifle, but with no identifying marks, where to start?
Second, I have a three digit serial number. The earliest model I have seen at all the auctions and on this site is a four digit number, so what I am interested in is the following...
What is the significance of the three digit serial number (other than the obvious...one of the first ones made, etc.)? Would it be easier or harder to find provenance for this gun? Does that make it more valuable?
What should I do with the scabbard? Retreat it? Try to find where it came from? Is it tied to the gun from birth? Given the state of being of the scabbard, it wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't originally supplied with the rifle.
And most important, how would one go about researching this particular gun's provenance? I am assuming, until I hear otherwise, that because of the 6xx serial number, it is "special", but have no idea where to start my investigation.
While an avid hunter and what not, I am not an antique gun enthusiast yet (though I think these guns are cool as heck!), so any thoughts, comments, or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you's go out to anyone willing to throw in their two-cents worth!
Artemis
First, I have an old scabbard that goes with it (which may indicate use by a horseman of some sort), with no identifiable marks. The leather is what I would refer to as "dying". It is flaking and if you touch it, you are stained with rust colored dust. I put it away, but need to retreat it or something. I have heard that the scabbard may have as much history as the rifle, but with no identifying marks, where to start?
Second, I have a three digit serial number. The earliest model I have seen at all the auctions and on this site is a four digit number, so what I am interested in is the following...
What is the significance of the three digit serial number (other than the obvious...one of the first ones made, etc.)? Would it be easier or harder to find provenance for this gun? Does that make it more valuable?
What should I do with the scabbard? Retreat it? Try to find where it came from? Is it tied to the gun from birth? Given the state of being of the scabbard, it wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't originally supplied with the rifle.
And most important, how would one go about researching this particular gun's provenance? I am assuming, until I hear otherwise, that because of the 6xx serial number, it is "special", but have no idea where to start my investigation.
While an avid hunter and what not, I am not an antique gun enthusiast yet (though I think these guns are cool as heck!), so any thoughts, comments, or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you's go out to anyone willing to throw in their two-cents worth!
Artemis