offered a Ted Williams 30-30

[76shuvlinoff]

A good buddy of mine has a Ted Williams 30-30. He bought it new when he was a kid and shot it a few times but says he only took it hunting once or twice. He is an avid hunter, has more guns now than he can shoot and is financially well off (I only mention this so you know he isn't hurting). He knows I have a love for levers and suggests I take this rifle off his hands every couple of months.

Except for varmints I really don't hunt.
It has an offset scope on it...but I'm left handed.
I'm a Marlin fan and just added an 1894c in .357 this fall.
No price has ever been mentioned. He did say something once about tossing in a few boxes of cartridges.

Sooooo.... everybody needs a 30-30, when this comes up again what should I offer him?

 

[HuntAndFish]

Only you can answer that, but a 95% Marlin 336A (in 30-30) is worth about $200.00 more or less. Less if you have to junk the scope and refit something else.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Ted Williams has Winchester all over it. It's not a marlin (too bad). Since it was made for Sears by Winchester it has very little collector value, if any. It's a shooter if that's what you're looking for. Personally I would not pay over $150. and that would be in very good or better condition. It's a model 94.

 

[CajunBass]

Yep. Ted Williams 30/30's are Winchester 94's. They may or may not have hardwood stocks. I know Sears sold a version of the 94 under their name that did have a hardwood stock, but I want to say the TW line, which was an upgrade over the standard "Sears" line was walnut.

Nothing wrong with a hardwood stock anyway, they just don't look as nice. $150 or so as 351 Winchester said. The scope might push it to $200.00, but personally I wouldn't want a side mounted scope on a '94.

I spent a LOT of time drooling, in the Sears gun dept when I was a young fellow and even broker than I am now. That and the Sears Catalog. Man, I wore those catalogs out, at least the pages with hunting and fishing stuff on them. Both of my shotguns are Sears guns. Good, solid, dependable work guns. They might not have been fancy but they did the job. Even back then they were thought of as inferior in some ways to the same gun with another name on it. About the way a "Wal-Mart gun" is today.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Thanks, I knew it was a Winchester knock-off and was thinking 150-ish if it's in good shape and in better times I probably would've laid money on the table by now. If he wasn't a buddy I'd offer less. The next time it comes up maybe I'll call his bluff. He doesn't need the money and I don't need the rifle so I think you call this a draw.

 

[woof]

It is probably worth 300. It sounds like he almost wants to give it to you, let him quote you a price.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

That's probably the best way to deal with a friend I wouldn't want to insult.
Thanks

 

[longboard]

A Ted Williams 30-30 will be all steel and that in a Winchester is a good thing.
The one's made after a certain time have alloy parts in them. I would buy any Ted Williams long arm for the right price.
Go for it.
Longboard

 

[Big Bill]

It sounds to me like your friend just wants you to have the gun. Ask him how much and then make your decision. I bet the price will be right.

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Thread resurrection!
After a few beers and a few cigars in my buddies man cave the other night it looks like I'm going to own my first 30-30. It was not free of course but the price was not unfair to either of us and included (8) 20 rd boxes of Remington factory ammo, some 170gr and a few boxes 150gr. The rifle is in nearly new condition albeit over 20 years old. The scope is offset of course and being a lefty that may have to go. I'll pick it up one of these days soon.
I have a 39A .22 and an 1894c in .357, the 30-30 should fit in well. I don't think my Marlins will complain.

Thanks for the help!

 

[TehK1w1]

Just because it is a department store gun don't look down on it. AFAIK sears had all of "their" guns made on contract from different companies, and their can be some real gems. For instance, my father's J.C. Higgins rifle was made with a Hi-standard barrel and FN mauser action. The department store association tends to keep the prices on these guns down, even if they are well-made.

 

[thunder173]

I still have one I bought in the early 70's. Iron sights. Never had a scope on it,...rode many a sled and many atv's over the years. Has killed more deer and other critter's than any other centerfire gun I own,...kicked around, dropped,...rain, snow, mud and crud,...and worked hard. My son has it now,...a good looker, but looks like it's been worked hard,..but still tight,...and still shoots well. I carried it last deer season in northern Michigan just for old times sake. The four pointer 100 yards out didn't know how old it was.....

 

[medicine calf]

I'd rather have a Sears TW 94 than my generic '76. It harks back to the days when you could walk into a department store and buy guns and ammo.

 

[Nhsport]

My choice for lever guns has always been a peep sight over a scope . Ballance is better,stock is really better shaped for the peep, and a peep is good for the distances a lever gun would normally be used for.

Look on the left side about 3/4" forward of the hammer . If you have a couple of small threaded holes that might be pluged with tiny screws you are all set to mount a nice Lyman or Maples peep. With no holes you will need a trip to your gunsmith

 

[76shuvlinoff]

Thanks guys.

I will probably move the scope to my Marlin 60 or I'll go sinful with the 39A.

When I bring it home is there any way to find the manufacture date? I know it's not a "collectible" but I like knowing that about my firearms, especially the levers. My39A is a 79 and the 1894c is a 77, I graduated in 78 and my Hardly Davidson is a 76...... hmmm there's a theme here.

Mark