Thundermaker
08-11-2017, 07:29 PM
I recently acquired a browning copy of the 1895 winchester. From my research, there were 8,000 made in 1984 only. 6,000 were 30-06. 2,000 were 30-40krag. They came in two grades, grade 1 and high grade. The grade 1 is a blued gun with plain walnut furniture in a satin finish with no checkering. The high grade has a silver receiver with engraving and gold inlay and a glossed, checkered walnut furniture.
Mine is a grade 1, but it has the checkered, glossed stocks of the high grade. I'm trying to figure out how that happened. Was it a factory mistake? A custom order? I don't think Browning ever sold replacement stock sets for these, and I doubt someone said, "Hey, that plain satin wood would look better on my $2,000 rifle than this shiny ****. I'll trade you."
The auction house won't provide me any information about the previous owner. I contacted Browning about it. They transferred me to their "historian". I explained the situation. He said he'd do some research and get back to me. He called back after 2 hours. This is what I got:
"I looked up the serial number. The invoice says it's a grade 1."
"Yes, but why does it have a high grade stock set?"
"The invoice doesn't say. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Great big help, as you can see. Can anyone here shed some light on the subject?
Mine is a grade 1, but it has the checkered, glossed stocks of the high grade. I'm trying to figure out how that happened. Was it a factory mistake? A custom order? I don't think Browning ever sold replacement stock sets for these, and I doubt someone said, "Hey, that plain satin wood would look better on my $2,000 rifle than this shiny ****. I'll trade you."
The auction house won't provide me any information about the previous owner. I contacted Browning about it. They transferred me to their "historian". I explained the situation. He said he'd do some research and get back to me. He called back after 2 hours. This is what I got:
"I looked up the serial number. The invoice says it's a grade 1."
"Yes, but why does it have a high grade stock set?"
"The invoice doesn't say. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
Great big help, as you can see. Can anyone here shed some light on the subject?