I have a model 71 winchester I purchased years ago from an older gentleman that told me he purchased it new, and only fired 1/2 a box of ammo in it. I've showed it to two local appraisers. One said it is all original and probably the nicest one he's seen. The other said it was probably refinished. Is there a way to know for sure one way or the other?

Familiarize yourself with the finish they came from the factory with by looking at pictures of known originals. Re-blueing has many telltale signs. Look for rounded over edges that should be sharp, variations in color, excess polish before bluing, rust pitting under the bluing, wiped out lettering, things like that. Usually one or more of these will be obvious to the trained eye.

Look at the Winchester proof marke on the top of the barrel. Is it sharp andclear or smuged and dark? A good light at an angle will help

Hang some pictures on here for review by the forum, many eyes may catch what a few miss.

There's a lot of knowledge on here, some BSers, but most folks are very decent and willing to help.

Thanks. Everything looks good to me. I'll try to get some pictures up to see if you all see something I don't.

Really good close up pictures. With light at different angles if possible.

Or you could send it straight away and I'll look er over for ya. *Send ammo

As stated in one of the above threads, the WP proofmark is what I look at first when making a determination as to whether a gun has been reblued. If the edges of the proofmark stamp are smooth and not sharp and distinct the gun has been reblued. The proofmark stamp was applied after the gun was blued and not subjected to polishing, those smoothed over by polishing have been reblued. You should be able to catch a fingernail on the edge of this stamping.

It has been my experence that the proof marks were installed hap hazardly at best. I have seen them double stamped, off center and faint on original guns. Winchester used a unique bluing that about any Winchester man can identify.

any blue on the end of the bbl.?