Value of Winchester 38-55????

[sharpshooter81]

I have a chance to get my hands on a Winchester Model 94 in 38-55.....I ran the serial number (341XXX) and got a manufacture date of 1906. This gun has very minor bluing wear and almost perfect wood, what would this be worth?? Looking for numbers here guys, not "whatever you want to pay for it". Thanks!!

 

[Float Pilot]

For those of us who like to collect old Winchesters, there are a few things to consider.

1. Re-blued or not? If so is it an old rust blue for some modern garbage.
2. Replaced parts or not? Winchester can provide a letter saying exactly how the rifle left the factory. (FOR EXAMPLE: I have one very nice Winchester lever gun that left the factory in 1893 with a plain hammer and plain lever. but sometime during it's life it had those parts replaced with case hardened parts. Thus reducing the collectors value)
3. Stock refinished or not? Is the wood proud or is the metal proud. Is it an old linseed oil finish or some modern poly-varnish?
4. Are the stamped letters and numbers crisp or have they been buffed smooth?

If it is a run of the milled model 94 made before WWI , with mostly original parts and blue, $900 would be a good base price.
If it really is all original and in very good shape, wood, blue, bore, then it would be a $1,200-$1,500 rifle in my part of the country.
If it has other special order options the price really jumps.
Fancy wood, pistol grip factory stocks, take-down rifle...., half magazine tube, and so on..
Is it a carbine, eastern carbine, or rifle ? Round or octagon barrel? What type of butt plate?

 

[paintballdude902]

not trying to high jack but float, what about regular operating parts like springs? if you replace normal springs will that really reduce the value? i doubt it would if it meant either selling a fully functioning gun or selling a gun that doesnt work properly

 

[Float Pilot]

I agree with you about things like springs. But some real hard core collectors would argue with us.

This is the NRA ANTIQUE FIREARMS grading system. As you can see, having replacement parts knocks down the grading level. Of course if you happen to find vintage or near vintage parts which are better than the original rusted parts.. it would seem to be a win-win situation


FACTORY NEW- all original parts; 100% original finish; in perfect condition in every respect, inside and out.

EXCELLENT- all original parts; over 80% original finish; sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; unmarred wood; fine bore.

FINE- all original parts; over 30% original finish; sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; minor marks in wood, good bore.

VERY GOOD- all original parts; none to 30% original finish; original metal surfaces smooth with all edges sharp; clear lettering, numerals and design on metal; wood slightly scratched or bruised; bore disregarded for collectors firearms.

GOOD- some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned or reblued; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal legible; wood refinished, scratched, bruised or minor cracks repaired; in good working order.

FAIR- some major parts replaced; minor replacement parts may be required; metal rusted, may be lightly pitted all over, vigorously cleaned or reblued; rounded edges of metal and wood; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal partly obliterated; wood scratched, bruised, cracked or repaired where broken; in fair working order or can be easily repaired and placed in working order.

POOR- major and minor parts replaced; major replacement parts required and extensive restoration needed; metal deeply pitted; principal lettering, numerals and design obliterated; wood badly scratched, bruised, cracked or broken; mechanically inoperative; generally undesirable as a collectors firearm.

 

[sharpshooter81]

The rifle in question has been in my friends family since new....Its all original....it has a 1/2 mag tube.....i would say its somewhere between the FINE and EXCELLENT rating...I can get this rifle for $300

 

[rcmodel]

Then you wasted time posting about it.

Almost any 1906 Winchester 94 is worth $300 if it's all there and not rusted shut.

One in the condition you describe + the 1/2 mag could easily be worth several times that.

rc

 

[sharpshooter81]

On my way out the door to go get it now, pics later this evening, stay tuned

 

[Float Pilot]

Are you not the same person who recently obtained a nice 30-30 1950s era model 94, from some old fellow who just did not want it anymore?

 

[mnrivrat]

Wow - A 1955 model 94 for $100. a Model 64 for $200 , and now this for $300 . I'd say you best buy a lotto ticket soon with this kind of lucky streak you got going.

Looking forward to the pictures. Maybe I should come visit the area - your doing very well !

PS: 38-55 in condition you discribe would easily go for over $1,000 here.

 

[sharpshooter81]

There are lots of guns like that here....most are unadvertised of course.....I visit alot of old hunters in the area and we talk "old guns".....a few times I have heard "let me show you something you might be interested in", which usually leads to a good buy.....By the way, I did get the 38-55, pics coming soon.....

 

[sharpshooter81]

This is the rifle, I'm guessing somewhere between FINE and EXCELLENT

 

[eastbank]

bettet pictures, and a close up of the end of the magizine tube,please. eastbank.