We are into our busiest weeks of the year.
This weekend (June 12-14) the CFM and the town of Cody host the Winchester Club of America annual gun show. The show is at the Riley Arena (1400 Heart Mountain Street – Cody).
Next weekend (June 19-21) the Winchester Arms Collectors Association annual show is also at the Riley Arena.
The Records Office will be doing serial number searches for folks at both gun shows and offering discounts on CFM memberships. I invite to stop by the shows if you are in the area.
The rest of the BBHC also has a lot going on this month with the Plains Indian Museum Powwow and the grand opening of the new Whitney Gallery of Western Art and many other activities. The whole town bustles with events and activities so visit Cody in June!!
September 1, 2009 at 7:58 pm |
is this Dave, a tall descendant of the Winchester family? I met a very nice man a couple years ago in Cody who was very helpful. Is this the same man
September 15, 2009 at 8:05 am |
David Kennedy was Cody Firearms Museum curator until this spring. Earlier blog postings include his farewell messages. I am Jesi Bennett, CFM Records Specialist. My office does all the Winchester, Marlin and L.C. Smith Factory Letters and serial number research.
September 12, 2009 at 12:09 pm |
Sorry I dont know how to blog or twitter. I just want to find how to Purchase a factory letter confirming the orgin of my shotgun being a matched set. I was informed I could get this “letter” from you. I have a Winchester 1897 shotgun sr no C165571 and I am tryIng to determine value. Any help you can give me will be greatly apreciated.
Thank you very much.
Barbee Phillips sbphil@juno.com
September 15, 2009 at 8:07 am |
Thank you for your interest in the Cody Firearms Museum Records Department. We offer factory letters on Winchester, Marlin and LC Smith. A factory letter is an official report on the information contained in the original company records which the Museum holds. Letters are on official letterhead and bear the seal of the Cody Firearms Museum. A factory letter can be an important tool in establishing the provenance and originality of a firearm.
The contents of each letter varies with each gun but typically letters include the manufacture, shipping or inspection dates and information on the configuration of the firearm as it was in the factory. Customer information is rarely available as shipping and sales records no longer exist. The exception to this would be information on late Model 1873 and 1886 Winchesters and the Winchester Model 21 shotgun.
Go to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center website for a list of available Winchester, Marlin and LC Smith models and serial numbers.
http://www.bbhc.org/firearms/CFMSerialNumberList_2008.pdf
Winchester and Marlin lever action letters are $60 each for non-members ($35 for Cody Firearms members). Winchester Model 21 and L.C. Smith letters are $75 for non-members ($50 for members).
Members may purchase letter packages (5 letters for $150, 10 letters for $250). Membership also has the benefit of free phone searches. Contact this office or the membership office at membership@bbhc.org.
In order to process a letter order we need the following information:
1. Model and serial number of firearm (if an L.C. Smith please include grade, gauge, barrel length and hammer/hammerless)
2. Name and address of recipient
3. Name, address and phone number of purchaser
4. Payment information (credit card by phone or check by mail)
Thank you, again, for your interest. I hope we can help you in your search for information.
Jesi Bennett
Jessica Bennett
Records Specialist
Cody Firearms Museum
Buffalo Bill Historical Center
720 Sheridan Avenue
Cody, WY 82414
(307) 578-4031
jessicab@bbhc.org
http://www.bbhc.org/firearms/records.cfm