M1894 .38-55 shooter mf'd in 1896

[twofifty]

A non-gunny friend has one of the above Winchesters, manufactured in 1896.

He has turned to me for advice as to how best to proceed with selling it.
I suggested he browse the web to get a sense of condition and value, check the blue book of values, go to a gun show or two. Maybe get it appraised.

Can you help me sort something else out about this shooter?

The rifle has been hunted with, quite hard, and bears the scars on the stockwork. The barrel was hammered on a bit at some point, possibly in a clumsy attempt to drift the front sight. Action is unmarked.

Barrel/action has very light dusting of surface rust on top of the patina, but no pitting. Short mag tube. Neither of us have shot it since we don't have ammo for it.

The action is super slick, the carrier shows a bit of wear. The trigger pull is very clean and maybe 3#. Stock in not cracked or loose. Ladder sight. Saddle ring stud but ring is missing.

Can you tell me whether this rifle, though a definite shooter, would still be considered a collectible (seeing that 1896 was the 2nd year of manufacture, and .38-55 is kind of scarce) and therefore worth paying to have it appraised?

Thinking that he might be able to sell it to the local Cowboy Action possee for a fair price.

 

[tahoe2]

1896-model 94

I would suspect a second year production rifle, in a not too popular caliber (today), would be highly sought after by a meticulous "Winchester Collector".
You definitely need to have it appraised (just my opinion), I think he/you will be pleasantly surprised! Good Luck !!

 

[Jim Watson]

It is early but it is beat up and rusty.
I think it would be pretty far down a collector's shopping list.
It would be of small use to a CAS shooter because the SASS main match rifle must be in a revolver caliber. The only application there would be the occasional side match... unless they have changed the rules a lot since I last shot.

Appraisals are only good for insurance, division of estates, and bragging.
I do not consider a dollar number not covered by a cash offer to mean much.

 

[Malamute]

It sounds like a carbine, which means it most likely didn't come with a shorter magazine tube. It would take a LOT of beating on the front sight to get it to move, since its either silver soldered to the barrel, or made from the same piece of steel as the barrel, at least if its the factory sight base.

It may well be worth something to the right person, but original configuration (not changed, like the magazine tube, sights, etc) means a lot. The finish also has a bearing, though if "cleaned up" by the casual person, it may damage the value more than leaving it alone.

I letter from the Cody Firearms Museum may tell if it had any non-standard features when it came from the factory, like the different length mag tube. If factory variations, they enhance the value rather than detract from it.

Yes, many variables in establishing even a ballpark value. Clear pictures would help.