My father got his grandfather's Winchester '73 or '76 some 30 years ago. He got it because the name George W Peppin was carved into the stock. There were also either 5 or 7 notches cut into the wood or into the receiver. I also remember the caliber was inscribed on the barrel.
If you know that name, you know this rifle is in the Lincoln County War vintage.
Over the years, my brother got it and had it as a wall hanger. Then, for some time, I believe it was at my folk's house in Salt Lake City sometime 2000 to 2003 while they had some outside help in and my brother was between houses of his own.
My brother passed me the rifle this week and it is a '76 carbine low serial number but, the carved in name and the notches are not there. the wood on the stock is much poorer condition than I remember.
I just wonder if someone may have switched it out. Not my brother but, maybe the "help".
Any ideas where I could go on a search?