Hey,
I have this copper band Red Ryder and had some questions
I was wondering - how original , un-diddled with , authentic , un-restored ,
modified/repaired ,   the one I had, was.?

so, the questions I have are;

these bands are copper plated steel, right?  - how much cleaning/polishing can you do?
is there a patent or series number on the receiver that would assure this is a pre-war model?

does this model have a small top receiver screw?

do they have thru- screws on the side of the the receiver, or nuts ?
square or hex

After 50 years or wear and tear, these thing go thru some changes from use. 
Repairs and Improvements!

Are there any other
things that should be looked for?

Appreciate any
help.   THANKS

I am not an expert but I do have several Red Ryders and have researched the ones I have.
Yes the copper bands are copper plated steel.
Most people like to leave the bands unpolished in a patina copper color.
Some people do polish them and if there is enough copper still present they polish up nicely. Some even recoat the copper and they come out really shiny.
The copper banded model should have the small top receiver screw. In fact I believe all the cast iron cock lever models should have the small screw. Some people may disagree with that though.
The bolt through the receiver in the very back closest to the Red Ryder engraving should be a slotted head bolt with a hex nut. The cock lever bolt should be the same also with a hex nut. The slotted bolt for the trigger assembly should not have a nut on it but in many cases this nut has been added to keep the bolt tight.
The model number and patent numbers remainded the same on the Red Ryders for many years and I am not sure when they changed. I think some time in the early 1950's. The cock levers changing to alum and the stock variations I believe is the only way to date the Red Ryders as they changed variations.
Again I am no expert but I do like and collect the old Red Ryders. I have not seen one yet of the old ones I did not like. I just wish they could talk. I bet they would have many stories to tell. Some probably even better than Ralphie's Christmas Story.
Good Luck with the Collecting
Rick in TX

Does it look like this? In 1947 they changed to an Aluminum cocking lever.


Sometimes silence is golden,sometimes it's not.

Nice looking Red Ryder EJ.

Gary

Does the copper band RR have an adjustable rear sight?

Yes!

Sometimes silence is golden,sometimes it's not.

Thank you for your answer.
Jay

My Red Ryder has the copper bands and iron cocking lever. The rear sight is only adjustable in elevation.

nt.

Sometimes silence is golden,sometimes it's not.