Winchester Collector - Forum: General Discussions & Questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/ Simple:Press Version 6.11.14 Chuck on Is the value of 75-98% Winchesters down sine the Election of 2024…or not? https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178166 General Discussions & Questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178166

Zebulon said

If we are talking about moderate condition 1886 or 1876 models, that is quite another. For all their notoriety, relatively few were manufactured. 
I have yet to see a 95% condition 1886 of any style go for less than an eye-watering price. 
  

I usually don't buy average condition guns.  But I don't normally by 90% either.  I'm not into safe queens.  All I know is the market has been good for me.  I recently bought a 73 Musket and a 73 22 Cal.  They are in moderate condition but I got them cheap.  And they fill a slot.  The 22 is a project.

The last 86 I bought, as you say, was not cheap. 

]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:03:02 +0000 Zebulon on Is the value of 75-98% Winchesters down sine the Election of 2024…or not? https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178165 General Discussions & Questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178165 It boots nothing to compare apples to oranges.  If we are talking about moderate condition 1892 and 1894 specimens,  that is one thing. A lot of both were made. 

If we are talking about moderate condition 1886 or 1876 models, that is quite another. For all their notoriety, relatively few were manufactured. 

I have yet to see a 95% condition 1886 of any style go for less than an eye-watering price. 

]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:51:46 +0000 Chuck on Is the value of 75-98% Winchesters down sine the Election of 2024…or not? https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178163 General Discussions & Questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178163 I have been able to find some rare guns in the last few years at fair prices.  I don't know why but I have bought a bunch of guns for less than I had expected.

]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:12:01 +0000 antler1 on Is the value of 75-98% Winchesters down sine the Election of 2024…or not? https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178161 General Discussions & Questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178161

mrcvs said

antler1 said
I just returned from Tulsa and I must say that any higher condition Winchester lever guns I looked at definitely have NOT gone down in price.
  

You can price anything as you wish.  But were they actually selling?
  

Yes!! A lot of Benjamins trading hands at high condition tables. I sell as well as buy to upgrade collection and it was a good show for me

]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 15:59:48 +0000 mrcvs on Is the value of 75-98% Winchesters down sine the Election of 2024…or not? https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178158 General Discussions & Questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178158

antler1 said
I just returned from Tulsa and I must say that any higher condition Winchester lever guns I looked at definitely have NOT gone down in price.
  

You can price anything as you wish.  But were they actually selling?

]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:41:06 +0000 antler1 on Is the value of 75-98% Winchesters down sine the Election of 2024…or not? https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178156 General Discussions & Questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178156 I just returned from Tulsa and I must say that any higher condition Winchester lever guns I looked at definitely have NOT gone down in price.

]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:22:13 +0000 MCorrell on Model 1892 in 25-20 rebarrel project https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/model-1892-in-25-20-rebarrel-project/#p178155 General Discussions & Questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/model-1892-in-25-20-rebarrel-project/#p178155 Thanks Pete. I’ll be looking for the whole story.  I’ll be sure to keep good notes on my project as it moves on.

]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:38:52 +0000 Zebulon on Is the value of 75-98% Winchesters down sine the Election of 2024…or not? https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178154 General Discussions & Questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178154 I don't follow these prices closely  but I think antique Winchester lever actions with less than perfect condition - at least the popular models made in large numbers like the 92 and 94 -- are not bringing what they once did for several reasons:

1. While there are some young collectors of the genre,  it seems to be mainly a disease of the elderly. Who are dropping like flies as the 21st Century proceeds. 

2. Those guns are not really rare - there are increasingly more than enough to go around. Those in unquestionably perfect condition are locked in institutional or family collections that seldom enter the market. 

3. Like it or not,  FN-sponsored production of the 1873, 92, and 94 appeal to many Winchester fans and compete for market share with original Winchester lever actions in less than mint condition. While you might not care whether a 95% Model 92 can be shot because 44 WCF is hard to buy in shootable quantity,  there are apparently a large number of ignorati willing to spend fifteen hundred bucks for a very nice new 92 that shucks and shoots 357 magnum pistol cartridges. Their plastic works as well as yours and this choice once did not exist. 

4. The Old West of fact and fiction now competes with G.I. Joe and his descendants, apparently all of whom are or were long range snipers obsessed with 1000 yard targets.  Quigley helped Shiloh and C. Sharps, not Winchester. 

Perhaps an apostate's opinion, but the numbers don't lie. 

]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:25:14 +0000 Buck1967 on Is the value of 75-98% Winchesters down sine the Election of 2024…or not? https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178152 General Discussions & Questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178152 If the market has slowed down someone forgot to tell Leroy Merz.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-rifles-model-1894-pre-64/special-order-winchester-model-1894-straight-stock-deluxe-rifle-in-25-35-wcf.cfm?gun_id=103559939

However, there are 2 other 1902 1894’s for sale on GI for $1500 to $1995. The $1995 appears to be in less condition than the one in this thread while the $1500 looks restored and certainly would lend credence to yet another thread on here discussing restoring actually hurts the value!

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-rifles-model-1894-pre-64/winchester-1894-32ws-1902-mfg-saddle-ring.cfm?gun_id=103096001

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-rifles-lever-pre-64/1902-mfg-winchester-model-94-octagon-bull-barrel-32-winchester-special-trades-welcome.cfm?gun_id=103539020

]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:28:40 +0000 TXGunNut on Is the value of 75-98% Winchesters down sine the Election of 2024…or not? https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178150 General Discussions & Questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178150 Ian-

I think the 80-90% segment of the market is a bit soft but I think this rifle should have done a bit better. I do agree that it seems to be a buyers' market but that may be because there aren't enough buyers for a gun like this one. If that's the case we may never see this gun bring what we think it should bring. I'll be interested in what the folks who went to Tulsa think the market condition was there. The TGCA show is in two weeks but I think some prices have been soft at this show for a few years. I'm looking at some estate guns now and the seller wants what they were worth several years ago and I'm not sure I will be able to help her out. 

 

Mike

]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 03:21:45 +0000 mrcvs on Is the value of 75-98% Winchesters down sine the Election of 2024…or not? https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178146 General Discussions & Questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/is-the-value-of-75-98d300932339f0cc2da49e550b1c4de4bd15728f7915eb365facdfdb99bbbf2823-winchesters-down-sine-the-election-of-2024or-not/#p178146 A great time to buy, IMHO.

This came up on another thread, but many might not follow it as it’s buried in a thread drift of a problematic Winchester 1892 for sake.

75 to 98% is the sweet spot for me, I generally don’t dabble in the 100% stuff, too much premium for that, and questions as to refinished or not.  I sometimes might go as low as 75% if I need to, but generally 85 to 95%.

Here’s a 1902 production Winchester 1894 SRC that is in the uncommon.32-40 caliber and has condition, with tang sight.  A forum member offered it for sale on this forum early last year for $6500.  Too rich for my blood.  Moved to Gunbroker, penny start, no reserve.  My records show total cost, shipping, taxes, FFL fees to have been $2,802.41.  It seems a LONG time prior to this (18 March 2025) that one could get something this nice for this little.  Feel free to post examples to this thread supporting my hypothesis or proving that I am completely wrong.

Photographs courtesy of twobit.

IMG_3620.jpegIMG_4443.jpegIMG_4444.jpegIMG_4445.jpegIMG_4446.jpegIMG_4447.jpegIMG_4448.jpegIMG_4449.jpegIMG_4450.jpegIMG_4452.jpegIMG_4453.jpegIMG_4454.jpegIMG_4455.jpegIMG_4456.jpegIMG_4457.jpegIMG_3619.jpegIMG_4460.jpegIMG_3620-1.jpeg

]]> Mon, 13 Apr 2026 01:49:21 +0000 Pete Hynard on Model 1892 in 25-20 rebarrel project https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/model-1892-in-25-20-rebarrel-project/#p178127 General Discussions & Questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/model-1892-in-25-20-rebarrel-project/#p178127 I like the way you guys think too.

I have two centrefire Model '73s.  One started life as a .38-40 that had a replacement barrel put on it a hundred years ago, maybe more.  The replacement was a Marlin .38-55 barrel that had the chamber cut off, re-threaded to fit the ’73 receiver and re-chambered to .38-40 calibre.  My wife bought if for me years ago.  I love that gun.  The barrel marking still says .38-55.
 
The bore was a little rough so I tried it with jacketed bullets.  It wasn’t a great group and the barrel got much hotter than is normal for a ’73.  Turns out, the bore slugged out at 0.381” and .38-40 bullets are 0.400”.  No wonder it got hot.  It goes to show you that the ’73 action is stronger than you think.
 
It couldn't stay like that.  I had the barrel re-bored and re-rifled to .44-40.  Now it has a perfect bore and shoots like an ace.  It’s my favourite deer rifle.  I attached a target for you to see.
 
The other ‘73 began life as a .32-20.  I bought it as a shooter but it had a rough bore too.  My plan had been to re-line it but my gunsmith suggested swapping the barrel with one he had on hand.  The replacement was a Marlin .25-36 with a perfect bore, off a Marlin Model 1893.  Like my deer rifle, my gunsmith Steve cut the chamber off, re-threaded the barrel and re-chambered it to .25-20.  Now both rifles have old, beat-up octagon Marlin barrels and button magazines.  They’re a matched set.  I attached a pic.
 
I know what you’re thinking.  The .25-20 has a twist rate of 1:14 and the .25-36 is 1:8.  An 85-grain cast bullet comes out spinning twice as fast as it should.  "Don’t worry", Steve said.  "It’s OK to spin them too fast, just don’t spin them too slow."
 
You can read the whole story in an upcoming Winchester Collector magazine.  I think Brad has it planned for the next issue.
 
Pete Hynard, Ontario, Canada
 
The-matched-set-1.png1.8-inch-group-100-yards.jpeg
]]> Sun, 12 Apr 2026 18:38:47 +0000 win4575 on Jim Gordon past away? https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/jim-gordon-past-away/#p178101 General Discussions & Questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/jim-gordon-past-away/#p178101 He was a good friend, a keen historian and a gentle man.  He was willing to share his vast knowledge with anyone who had questions.  Many years ago, he gave me his 1876 Winchester servey material.  He had mentioned plans for a book on 1876 Winchesters and possibly one on  1866 Winchesters.  He will be missed.

]]> Sun, 12 Apr 2026 00:10:55 +0000 Brad Dunbar on TULSA? https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/tulsa-1/#p178100 General Discussions & Questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/tulsa-1/#p178100 Nice stuff Bob.  It's amazing to see old, full cartridge boxes that look that good yet.

]]> Sat, 11 Apr 2026 23:48:02 +0000 TXGunNut on Model 1892 in 25-20 rebarrel project https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/model-1892-in-25-20-rebarrel-project/#p178096 General Discussions & Questions https://winchestercollector.org/forum/general-discussions-questions/model-1892-in-25-20-rebarrel-project/#p178096 I like the way you think. I bought an 1892 in 32WCF awhile back and quite honestly it was a mistake. I doubled down and had it relined, put a Marble tang sight and Lyman 17 front sight on it and it became quite the shooter. 

 

Mike

]]> Sat, 11 Apr 2026 22:53:44 +0000