Ran across this item this morning - I only clicked on the details because of the apparent high price for what, on the surface was presented as a standard rifle.

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The serial number, 387712, is "close" (387668 is a standard rifle; 387780 is believed to be a real 26") but nothing else is known from the same cluster - they seem to show up in handfuls.

The length looks OK, but the rear sight is NOT the rare one - an immediate red flag, since, if the gun is right, why remove/cannibalize the sight? The front base looks OK, but the blade (they are slightly different) appears to have been reshaped, or may be a commercial replacement. The stock, of course, would provide the definitive clue, but no photos or data are given. If the stock is proper, then I'd assume the rifle is proper, but with a very expensive deficiency.  However, if the rear sight had been right, you would not be reading this until I'd bought it!

I've been (almost as a joke/game involving 5MF) looking for a third one - to stack arms [!] - but that one (as offered) is not my sought-for sleeper deal, and is financially out of reach.

The seller knows what he thinks it is - but someone else will have to settle the matter. Have fun!

Ned, Tom??

Didn't 387780 used to be on "the official list"?

I definitely have it in my notes - belonged to a KCA member (whose name I'll omit).

If it is a valid number, I'd hope it could somehow be restored.

Thanks!

Dick, you are correct. 387780 is listed as recorded.

Thanks, and, I recall now that Joe Farmer said that 388162 (subject of much discussion on Culver a few months back) was also real, or at least the barreled action was, which is really all that counts for statistical/scholarly purpose - but you might want to discuss that directly with him before updating the list. As you can see, I'm still looking!

The listed gun isn't a Board gun.

I suspected as much - and, the promised pictures haven't been posted. Guess he didn't like what he found under the barrel. Hopefully, he'll take it off when the current run expires - unless of course he is related to Larry Price.

I will say that I'm all in favor of the comments being posted - Gunbroker could learn from that.

The seller has contacted me, and promises new pictures (there is a limit of 10) when the item is re-listed in a couple of days. We'll see what happens - am not holding my breath. If the stock IS right, I'm not only going to look foolish, but will have to make a decision which I don't want to have to make. At my age, I don't give a damn about the former - but the latter could be a real crisis!  :-(

The stock is not correct.

Alright, I'll bite.

Do you have some knowledge of that specific rifle beyond what has been shown so far?

Aside from what may be a bit of sloppy workmanship at the upper band, I do not see anything overtly wrong with the wood. Of course, the absence of the proper rear sight is a very damning indicator.

Maybe the seller is making an innocent mistake, maybe not - in any event, perhaps a beginner's buying mistake will be averted. Looks like the seller did just enough "research" to see that 26" equals a high price to the uninformed.

Yes, I have pictures of the rifle disassembled.  The stock is a shortened 1898 stock.  The pictures are bad but I think clearer pictures will show what appears to be a big dollop of glue is in fact a big dollop of glue.

The lightening cut is 1898 location standard - not Board location.  Shortened 1898 stock glued together.

Just noticed the picture from the back side.  Yes, it's a big dollop of glue.

If the citilink is still a valid email address some of the pictures are in your inbox.  Very thick glue.

No, the citlink address is no good, though I've not killed it completely, yet. FWIW, there are no pics in it.

All email should go to richardahosmer@comcast.net

Please - if it is running - send me my login data for your board - I know the words , and capitalization, have been changed several times.

Thanks.

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