2 tone old Winchester 71

[big bear]

I have come across an old Win with excellent blueing except nosecap?! Nosecap has a sling swivel on it, not original front what I can see. Has anyone seen such a thing? Diffences in how bluing stands up? Nose cap relaced with another cap with sling swivel on it?

[kimwcook]

Could be the nose cap is original, but the blueing was ruined when the swivel was put on and the touch up or reblue doesn't match.

[Gun Smith]

If it's a deluxe model, the forend cap has a swivel as standard from the factory. The bluing may just be gone.

[Mike D.]

The forend cap with swivel should look like this. If it does not, it isn't original.

[71fan]

I'm not sure I'm following the question, but I have an answer anyway. I have seen, on occasion, high condition M71s in the 90%+ range, that have nose caps with flaking and patina, or otherwise noticalble bluing loss and discoloration. I've seen it often enough that I don't think much of it. Clearly, the nose caps can and do age differently than the other blued parts. I would say this is true of the M71 levers as well.

[John in MS]

What 71Fan said. Also, it's not unusual to see 94's, etc. with lots or most original blue remaining on barrel/magazine tube,
but barrel bands gone to silver, presumably due to different steel and/or bluing process. An example of why this happens
is the high nickel content of the steel in 1894's from the teens through 1930's or so that caused blue to flake away even if
they weren't handled much.

John

[big bear]

Last two replys, thanks , you may just cost me some money.

[Mike D.]

Big Bear, lemme know if you find a source for these nose caps. I have an 1886 that has the same swivel in the butt, but the cap has been replaced.

[kimwcook]

I'd be interested in a swivel nose cap too if there's one to be had.

[Mike D.]

Winchester Bob did have them, but apparently does not at this time. They are a $100 item, when they are in stock.

[kimwcook]

Thanks, Mike. I'll keep an eye out at Bob's.