Winchester Model 370 12 Guage Value?

[chaplain tom]

I still have the first fire arm I ever purchased. I bought a Model 370 Winchester single shot .12 guage w/32 inch barrel full choke and 3 inch chamber. I bought it for $45.00 from a friend of my dad's (he felt sorry for me since my dad owned several guns that I used but didn't actuallu own one myself yet). I took the original plastic butt plate off and put a nice rubber recoil pad on it right after I bought back in 1970 or 71. I refinished the stock and forearm with what my dad said was the original stain from Winchester, (he ordered it from a local gun shop) and then finished them both with a Urethane clear. The gun ended up looking just like it did from the factory as far as color of the wood goes. It's never been re-blued but has been cleaned and oiled and stored properly since I first got it. The gun looks brand new (really). I've been wondering what the value of this gun would be now. Disregard my sentimental attachment to it, I just want to know what you guys think it's actual dollar value is now. This is the only model 370 I've ever seen... and I've been looking. Are these guns considered rare at all?

 

[chaplain tom]

Hey guys, I could really use some input if anybody has any thoughts on this. I'd be eternally greatful for some help.

 

[RandKL]

$100-150 in good condition. If it really looks new, maybe as high as $175 but you'd have to have a really good room full of potential buyers.

The 370 was a second model 37A so to speak. Not rare and not collectible. Rock solid guns, there's a million or more of them still in use, parts are easy to find and common. You can often still get lucky and find new stocks still wrapped in the original paper.

The same receiver was used on the 37A, the 370, the Cooey 84, the Cooey 840, the Sears Single Shot, at least one Ranger etc. The only diffs were the barrel/forearm attach. If you need a forearm, you need to match your barrel to the forearm type....or buy a forearm with a new barrel that fits it.

I use a 37A with a 20" barrel and a choke tube as my turkey gun for years. Well, I did when I hunted. Haven't been out in a few years now.

Haven't seen your name before, Tom. Pleasure to meet you.

rich

 

[chaplain tom]

Thanks for the info. I'm not trying to sell the gun. Insurance man wanted an estimate of the value of the gun. I thought he should have a book on such matters, but... Since it was my first real gun, I thought I'd pass it on to my grandson if my daughter ever gives me one that is. Anyway thanks again for the info Rich. I really do appreciate it.