A question on the Winchester market

[kdave21]

Not really a research question, but thought this venue might have the most educated posters Just wondering, does anyone think the market has dropped off a bit on the Winchester lever action market? Not that I think they have lost all value, but I noticed on Gunbroker tonight there are a ton of really nice pre-64 94'sthat you can pick up for 4-500. I was thinking that just a year or two ago, you would expect to pay at least 600 for a good clean pre-64. I paid 1100 for a pre-1898 about two years ago and thought it was a steal, but Ive seen some of those on gunbroker selling pretty cheap (cheap when you compare them to what blue book says, not cheap as in pocket change)... Maybe I am just off... Any observations? I have heard the Winchester market fluctuates, just wondering if its true...

 

[DRYHUMOR]

Partly the economy.

As more come onto the market it drops the prices a bit. Remember there were millions of those rifles sold through the years. Some of them are coming out.

I've got a Model 64. I used to see 3 or 4 at any given time, I noticed a couple of months ago that I was seeing more of them than ever, and the prices were a bit lower.

However, in a down economy, it's a good time to buy- if you can afford to. Rarer calibers or configurations are still carrying near premium prices though.

 

[KenWP]

Still kicking myself for not paying $500 bucks for a model 64 that a freind had. Had actually only ever seen that one and had no idea what it actually was. Around here your lucky to be able to get a shot over 50 yards at a deer with all the trees and bush.

 

[rcmodel]

I agree it is the econemy.

Not only have a lot of folks hit hard times.
But a lot more of them are selling grandpa's Winchesters to pay the bills.

SO, less people with money buying, and more of them for sale.
Supply & demand.

One things for sure though.
Now is a buyers market, and they will never get cheaper when the econemy recovers again.

rc

 

[kdave21]

Thanks for the feedback. That all makes sense. Makes me want to go pick up a few just for investment purposes. I know a number of people that have lost about 40% of their investments due to bad economy. And they cant even shoot their investments! Makes me think I should become a "stock" broker. (Okay, if anyone even got that joke, sorry, pretty bad pun. Bad economy= bad jokes).

 

[Kman]

It's just like any other market, supply and demand, recession is bringing more firearms out into the market and the buying money is tight, prices are dropping on everything.
The Winchester craze that came about as the plant closed was the perfect time to sell your collection, hard thing to do, as everybody saw prices heading higher and higher. It has now receded and prices are predictable and in most cases going lower with the bite of the recession starting to hurt.
I attend lots of shows and the amount of money trading hands has definatley dropped, the quality of firearms has increased, collectible lugers, old colts, S&W's and yes Winchesters, are now walking in the door with an alarming regularity.
As stated above, it's the perfect time to scout the shows and see what you can find, you just may get lucky as I did last month,,1960 model 94, $300 it's a solid 90-95%

 

[keen one]

Supply and Demand. Right now I see the supply side rising and some good bargins to be made...provided that the condition is worthy.

 

[Sav .250]

As some have stated, lots of Winchesters 94 out there but the pre-1964
94s command the value. As always condition is the over riding factor.