About as Fake as Fake Can Get

[Dusty Morningwood]

Man.  I hope nobody is fool enough to believe this horse pucky. 

http://www.gunsinternational.com/Husqvarna-1873-Chief-Plenty-Coups-Rolling-Block-Large-Bore-Rifle-S-N-50.cfm?gun_id=100282657

[Trailrider]

Bill Mackin, author of "Cowboy and Gunfighter Collectables" used to place on his table at gun shows, "The only Colt's Lightning NOT owned by Billy The Kid"!    Of course those guns had NO markings other than the factory ones.

[Ranch 13]

  What makes you think it's fake? Cody was known to have given alot of guns to different folks.

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[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

I question the provenance of a Husqvarna rolling block in America. 

They were adopted for military service in Norway & Sweden in 1867, and were always rimfire in military service.  Eventually, when militery deliveries were up to date, Husqvarna made the roller available to civilian sales in 1877.  Initial chamberings were rimfire, with centre fire available from 1886 to 1900, depending on model.  Husqvarna rollers were made up to 1912.

http://www.skydevaaben.com/allhvamodels/info.xml

Even if they were available for civilian sales, how did it get to America?  If it were a Remington, this would be more believable.  If this piece was given to a Crow chief, no matter how sophisticated, I find it hard to see how it it appears in such fine condition.  I'd need to see the provenance, rather than cribbing a wikkipedia article.

[Ranch 13]

Keep in mind those Husq's were built over there under license from Remington. Also keep in mind Billy Cody and his traveling road show spent many months in Europe. Times were quite different then and it's not unthinkable that a rifle could have been purchased over there and given to someone either while on tour and when they got back.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Ranch 13;  Maybe, but I'd like to see some corroborative evidence.  I asked a knowlegable friend, and he suggested that a reputable dealer WOULD have checked it out.  For that price they'd better have more than a wiki article.

[Dusty Morningwood]

The rifle in question was one of Husqvarna's first forays into marketing a "commercial" rolling block. It is little more than a slightly converted M67 military rifle.  By the time Cody was traveling in Europe, Husqvarna was cranking out some truely beautiful sporting rifles.  I cannot imagine Cody buying this particular rifle as a gift for anyone.

http://www.skydevaaben.com/index.xml

[Ranch 13]

Cody gave alot of beautiful guns, to various folks. Part of the reason he died dead flat broke.
 If a person was really concerned about this being a fake, you could contact the BBHC and ask them about the provenance of the rifle. They would be particularly interested in shutting it down were it a fake.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Are we getting closer?  here is a Husqvarna Reminton Model 1, a prototype made in 1873, serial No. 33

http://www.skydevaaben.com/husqvarna/rb_prototype/info.xml

Apparently part of a marketting foray prior to regular production which began in 1877

[Dusty Morningwood]

That iis the critter right there.  I had one of these in pretty worn condition and have seen maybe half a dozen for sale.  I suspect this gun on GI is one of the latter that has been "Codymotized".