Winchester rifles for $85. Colt revolvers for $35.

Those prices sounded almost too good to be true when hunters and gun collectors saw those ads in January in newspapers throughout the country, including The Patriot-News.

As it turned out, the deal from West Texas Liquidators was too good to be true.

Nobody seems to be getting the guns they ordered.

However, at least some consumers will be getting their money back now that postal authorities in California have arrested the man who was apparently behind the scam.

Louis Akin, of the Texas Attorney General's Office, which is investigating the deal, said California postal inspectors have arrested David Trainer on criminal charges unrelated to the gun deal.

Akin said Trainer is believed to be the "Kenneth Hulme" who was listed as president of West Texas Liquidators.

He said the Postal Service is returning all mail addressed to the El Paso, Texas, business, and the U.S. Treasury Department has frozen the firm's assets.

Money will be returned to at least some customers who sent for the guns, Akin said.

MARGARET P. O'Donnell, director of the Cumberland County Bureau of Consumer Affairs, said her office has received numerous complaints and inquiries from Harrisburg-area consumers about the offer.

She said one West Shore man sent for five rifles and five revolvers - a $588 order - and has yet to receive either the guns or his money back.

Another man reported sending a check for $270 for three rifles.

"I'm worried there are a lot more out there who ordered but who are too embarrassed to come forward," O'Donnell said. "I'm afraid there is going to be a lot of money lost on this - more than I at first thought. There are apparently people out there who ordered in bulk."

The deal was particularly attractive not only because of the price but because the ads listed a phone number where people could call for more information.

Company employees apparently were convincing.

One Camp Hill man, who asked not to be identified, said he called before ordering and was told the guns were so cheap because they were made overseas.

Although the ad didn't say so, the Camp Hill man said an employee also told him the guns were antiques that were "not guaranteed to work."

That was why they were allowed to be shipped through the mail, the employee added.

The Camp Hill man said he got his canceled check back but is still waiting for the gun he ordered.

AKIN SAID it is unknown whether West Texas Liquidators ever shipped any guns.

He said investigators did find rifles and revolvers in stock at the business, but they weren't actual working guns.

"They were cast-aluminum replicas," Akin said. "They didn't work and they didn't shoot . . . It was a case where a lot of people were misled."

Akin said his office is handling complaints about the company.

Anyone who ordered and lost money can file for a refund by writing to: Texas Attorney General's Office, 4824 Alberta St., Suite 160, El Paso, Texas 79905-2793.

According to Shelly's Sporting Goods in New Cumberland, authentic Winchester rifles cost anywhere from several hundred dollars to $5,000 or $6,000, depending on the model and condition.

Colt revolvers can cost up to $3,000.