November 7, 2015

I use it mostly for identifying and evaluating items not covered in the Red Book. As a rule the values for collectible Winchesters have been low but nowadays they’re possibly a bit closer on average. For individual Winchester models I have no confidence in their evaluations. Quite honestly I don’t know how he could have possibly kept up with the values for so many different firearms.
Mike
Haven’t looked at one in 10 years maybe more. They never were close on Winchesters.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I’ve gotten a lot of fun out of gun value guides. The Blue Book like all other similar guides will show some figures too high, too low or about right. From about 1995 to about 2010, I could apply a 30 to 60 percent premium above the the stated prices in the Blue Book on the model Winchesters that interested me and get what I considered a fair deal, but the down turn in the market for less than the highest conditioned guns, the latest increases in the prices listed, plus the 10 percent tax I now have to pay, has reduced these factors considerably.
As for how the Blue Book gets updated, I have read that certain individuals provide the subject data.
The Blue Book has been used for years by sellers and buyers alike. The gun show dealers 15 years ago would have a 3 year old Blue Book on the table to use when negotiating a purchase from uniformed sellers. Guns were going up in value fast and an old book with no date on the cover was in the dealers favor. The uniformed seller at a gun auction with a Blue Book on his lap was a auctioneers dream. That said , having one for that impulse buy of a none Winchester can be useful. The Red Book is Winchester specific and provides information on models, mfg dates, and values, a must own reference book. T/R
Well it is good to know prices for used Winchesters has exceeded the rate of inflation. From an inflation calculator:
What cost $45 in 1958 would cost $403.42 in 2019.
Also, if you were to buy exactly the same products in 2019 and 1958,
they would cost you $45 and $4.99 respectively.
I’d love to pay $400 today for an Excellent Model 1866.
It is also interesting that a Model 70 Featherweight is cheaper now than what it was in 1958, when you take inflation into account.
What cost $125.00 in 1958 would cost $1120.62 in 2019.
Also, if you were to buy exactly the same products in 2019 and 1958,
they would cost you $125.00 and $13.86 respectively.
Cabela’s has them for $900.00.
Sincerely,
Maverick
WACA #8783 - Checkout my Reloading Tool Survey!
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-research-surveys/winchester-reloading-tool-survey/
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