Factory (Cody) Letter Question. (Interpretation Help)

[cshold]

What is the actual advantage to having these factory letters.
I know there not necessary, but are they a good idea to have in
the safe for each of your old collectable guns?
What gun's would be the most advantageous to have these
letters for?

[jdad]

If you have a rifle with a lot of special order features the letter should verify the configuration. Winchester had very detailed records.....Marlin not so much.

[Pete44ru]

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The posession of a factory (Cody) letter for a gun not only verifies how it left the factory, it also usually ensures that full value may be had if/when the gun moves on (for whatever reason).


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[Sixgun]

Getting a factory letter is not spending money, it an investment that you will get back.

Get it for any gun that it is available for. It don't have to be a special gun.

In addition to the authenticity assurance, it lessens the stress of a transaction, which makes the guy pay your asking price, which of course, you have added the price of the letter to.

About 15 years ago, I ran into a nickel plated Model 17 Smith. People said they did not exist. I looked at the gun and I could tell it was the real deal, bought it, and several years later I decided to sell it as it was still NIB. No one would touch it. I got a $50 letter and sold it for 5 times what a blued one was worth. Only 10 were made.----6

[cshold]

I'm thinking about getting one for my Win. 94 25-35 wcf.
Will this letter determine for fact the manufacturer date of 1903 or 1904?
When I use those websites to determine the manufacturing date I either get one or the other.
Also I'm interested in where it was originally shipped from the factory.

[cshold]

Getting a factory letter is not spending money, it an investment that you will get back.

Get it for any gun that it is available for. It don't have to be a special gun.

In addition to the authenticity assurance, it lessens the stress of a transaction, which makes the guy pay your asking price, which of course, you have added the price of the letter to.

About 15 years ago, I ran into a nickel plated Model 17 Smith. People said they did not exist. I looked at the gun and I could tell it was the real deal, bought it, and several years later I decided to sell it as it was still NIB. No one would touch it. I got a $50 letter and sold it for 5 times what a blued one was worth. Only 10 were made.----6

Thanks 6, some good points there.
I did follow some very similar advice and got factory letters for
the Parker girls I have. They are indeed proof of factory configuration
weight and state & store they were sent to from the factory. Very cool info.

[fordwannabe]

A letter for your winchester will tell you the date it was recieved in the warehouse and the day it was shipped out. Many times they can tell you where it was shipped, sometimes not. I have had 2 of my winchesters lettered and have a couple more I would like to.

[Hobie]

I would only add that the future buyer (from you or your estate) will not believe any date but what is on the letter.

[jdad]

delete

[AJMD429]

About 15 years ago, I ran into a nickel plated Model 17 Smith. People said they did not exist. I looked at the gun and I could tell it was the real deal, bought it, and several years later I decided to sell it as it was still NIB. No one would touch it. I got a $50 letter and sold it for 5 times what a blued one was worth. Only 10 were made.----6

That's pretty cool...!

[cshold]

I'm convinced.
Check and form in the mail today.

[pwl44m]

Should however, the Letter reveal that the Gun has some Non original parts on it, "hide it". But at least U will know. And if it is as simple as a Sight or some small part it can be corrected. But if the Gun matches the Letter, it will serve to Compliment a future sale.
Jest My penny -- Perry

[cshold]

Should however, the Letter reveal that the Gun has some Non original parts on it, "hide it". But at least U will know. And if it is as simple as a Sight or some small part it can be corrected. But if the Gun matches the Letter, it will serve to Compliment a future sale.
Jest My penny -- Perry

I know for fact the sights were not original.
I'm in the process of correcting that issue.
In a few days a proper Marbles W1, Winchester #21, and slot blank
all from the appropriate time period should be at my door.

[cshold]

I got the Cody letter…
Now I need some help in understanding it.
I was told when I purchased this rifle that it was made in 1903 or 04.

1. What does the “Serial number applied on March 30, 1906” mean?

2. “Received in warehouse on June 08, 1906” Was the rifle being built April & May of 1906?

3. “Shipped from warehouse on August 09, 1906, Order number 62876”.
With this order number is there any way to find out who ordered the rifle or what state it was sent to?

[Gobblerforge]

[quote="casastahle"]I got the Cody letter…
Now I need some help in understanding it.
I was told when I purchased this rifle that it was made in 1903 or 04.

1. What does the “Serial number applied on March 30, 1906” mean?

2. “Received in warehouse on June 08, 1906” Was the rifle being built April & May of 1906?

3. “Shipped from warehouse on August 09, 1906, Order number 62876”.
With this order number is there any way to find out who ordered the rifle or what state it was sent to?


It means that the receiver was serialized on March 30 and at that time it became a legal firearm. It then took another 4 months for that receiver to go through the factory getting little things like triggers and stocks and barrels attached and finally out the door. Pretty cool if you think about it.
Gobbler

[cshold]

Yes gobbler, very cool indeed
I was very much hoping for some information
in regards to it's first stop in it's long life, such
as a store or state. I would have thought those order
numbers would have had some ordered by history.
Both my Parker letters included the names of the stores
that ordered them (both long gone). With a Google search
I was able to get old pictures and historical info. on each
of the stores.

[Pete44ru]

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Even though the letter states that "no other informantion available for this serial number", a separate inquiry as to the ID of the addressee on Order Number 62876 (w/o SN info) might get you some additional info from a separate Winchester file.

Whaddya got to lose, by trying ?

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[cshold]

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Even though the letter states that "no other informantion available for this serial number", a separate inquiry as to the ID of the addressee on Order Number 62876 (w/o SN info) might get you some additional info from a separate Winchester file.

Whaddya got to lose, by trying ?

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I agree Pete,
I'll be making a phone call.