Winchester Collector - Forum: General Discussions & Questions

cj57 on CMP Affiliation

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 03:35:02 +0000

The last time I purchased anything from the DCM was in 1997 when they had a lottery for M1Ds and I got one for 650 and was a gem, appears unissued, a couple of gun club buddies that got them, were a little used with some bumps and a little finish wear. Those M14s and 97s sound interesting. It appears to be the luck of the draw with condition. I purchased 2 M1 carbines off an old Korean war vet at my club years ago, he had purchased from DCM in 1962-63, one a rebuild with a rack number on it and the other a late war Winchester like new. You can get lucky and get a gem

TXGunNut on CMP Affiliation

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 00:26:39 +0000

I'm obviously not a mil-surp guy! When I heard they were finally going to offer the 1911 I remembered a few decades back when I was asked to help qualify some local clerical employees of a federal alphabet agency. All had to qualify with the 1911 and some had to qualify with the M16. I was pretty disappointed with the 1911 targets until I was asked to help dispose of the surplus ammo. Those poor 1911's were so loose I was suddenly proud of the scores those desk jockeys turned in! I'm an unabashed fan of the 1911 but I'll want one that will put hits on target instead of the approximate Zip Code. I'm very much in favor of the CMP program but will have to study a bit before trying to acquire a firearm from them. Seems they have some good ammo deals now and then.

Mike

steve004 on Model 1876 - 40-60 Round Barrel

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 23:03:02 +0000

Anthony said

Maverick said
The box label is very forthcoming, "To be used in Winchester Model 1886 Rifles chambered for the .45-90 Cartridge, and marked on barrel 45-90 W.C.F." The bullet is 350 grains of Solid Lead with a Flat Point.
I do believe there have been a rare few rifles that had their respective barrels marked wit the .45-85 W.C.F. caliber stamping. The rate of twist no doubt would be the same as the 45-90 W.C.F. barrels.
Sincerely,
Maverick

This is very interesting Mav, I haven't seen or noticed this before! Nice work my friend!
Tony

I agree with Tony - very interesting. I really enjoy seeing this box. And, the 350 grain bullet is helpful. I mentioned earlier, there were 15 M1886's that left the factory marked .45-85 WCF. I sure would like one of those in my collection.

Zebulon on Marcot, Paxton, Marron new title out

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 20:49:46 +0000

Henry, What Tony said is the straight dope. Even I know the Freund logo means this rifle was more than likely a "real" buffalo rifle and carries with it all the romance of that Era.

(Why do I have the feeling Henry's question has an echo of Sergent Bilko? "What is this game you call 'poker'?")

JWA on CMP Affiliation

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 19:41:28 +0000

I doubt you will ever see 20mm from the CMP. Their initial Congressional charter limited the CMP to .30 cal or .22 caliber firearms only. It took several years of lobbying for Congress to allow them a one time variance for the surplus .45 cal 1911s.

Best Regards,

Anthony on Marcot, Paxton, Marron new title out

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 18:57:31 +0000

Henry,

I'm certainly no expert on these but I like them as others do also. It looks like to me you have a "Heavy Barrel", M-1874, and with the Famed, "FREUND", Dealer markings out of Colorado, I think you might have a desirable prize there!

I sure wouldn't hesitate to hold and look at that, if you make it down to the OGCA/WACA Show in September. Who knows we might come to an understanding, or Deal!

I guess I'm asking for, "FIRST DIBS ON IT', if you are interested in selling it, and I'm not even sure of the caliber, but I'm guessing it's in the 45-70!!!

To answer you're question, Yes, it's worth something!

Caused me to dig this out!

According to the book, they we're in Cheyenne Wyoming in 1880, which is stamped on the rifle as a patent date.

Tony

TXGunNut on CMP Affiliation

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 18:30:16 +0000

If I remember correctly that RIA sale had several NFA weapons, both C&R, some modern and most or all went over the estimate by a good bit. Hard not to wonder what the latest CMP offering will do to the M14 market. Up until now it has been a very exclusive market. I wonder if we'll be seeing any 20mm ordnance on the CMP site. They had a few at that sale, IIRC. I have an idea for a feral hog hunt that will drive PETA off the cliff.

Mike

Henry Mero on Marcot, Paxton, Marron new title out

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:40:39 +0000

I know absolutely nothing about the Sharps rifles, so I do have a question, actually a cople of questions, is the value of them going up or going down, and would this one be tentativly be worth anything????

Jeremy P on Marcot, Paxton, Marron new title out

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:31:01 +0000

I also got mine yesterday and it's on top of the read pile, right under Stroebel's combined sights and scopes book.

Zebulon on Marcot, Paxton, Marron new title out

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:08:12 +0000

Because I know a nice Sharps can turn the head of the most avid Winchester collector, the authors of the 4-volume set have published a boiled down Collector's Guide that summarizes all the relevant details of every model.and style. It is beautifully and copiously illustrated and well worth the price. About sixty bucks hardbound. Mine came yesterday and you want it for your reference library.

JWA on CMP Affiliation

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:47:17 +0000

Yes, the $2K number is the one I heard also, that is a bargain in my opinion since that is the same as the commercial "standard issue" M1A is going for nowadays.

https://www.springfield-armory.com/m1a-series-rifles/m1a-loaded-rifles/m1a-loaded-308-rifle/

Best Regards,

Anthony on Model 1876 - 40-60 Round Barrel

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 11:54:09 +0000

Maverick said

The box label is very forthcoming, "To be used in Winchester Model 1886 Rifles chambered for the .45-90 Cartridge, and marked on barrel 45-90 W.C.F." The bullet is 350 grains of Solid Lead with a Flat Point.
I do believe there have been a rare few rifles that had their respective barrels marked wit the .45-85 W.C.F. caliber stamping. The rate of twist no doubt would be the same as the 45-90 W.C.F. barrels.
Sincerely,
Maverick

This is very interesting Mav, I haven't seen or noticed this before! Nice work my friend!

Tony

Honest Jon on CMP Affiliation

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 10:46:34 +0000

Compared to the M1 Garands that the CMP is now offering that have “reclaimed” receivers, the M14’s will not. They will be as issued except for the disabling of the automatic feature. Without that these would never be offered to the general public. Plus, it sounds like the initial offering will be under $2000 which I believe is less than most expected.

Jon

JWA on CMP Affiliation

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 03:47:02 +0000

Yes, to some extent the rules are different in the mil-surp world. I agree the CMP prices have gone up significantly but here is the rub, the M14s will not only be legit issued weapons but they will have been converted to semi-auto so they are legal to own which cannot normally be done under the current law (ATF ruling "once a machine gun, always a machine gun"), the CMP has a Congressional charter that will allow them to do it. I dare you to try to find a Winchester M14, either full auto or semi-auto for anything approaching a reasonable price.

Here is one I was watching at RIA, it went for $47K, well over RIA's estimate so I am not the only mil-surp Winchester geek out there.

https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/4091/3443/us-winchester-m14-class-iiinfa-cr-fully-transferable

So, I will be happy to get a "real" issued M14, albeit it semi-auto converted, for a small fraction of that. The CMP is usually accurate on their grading and condition descriptions.

I am guessing the shotguns will have had a hard life, having been in military or police service from day 1. I doubt there will be anything close to "collector" grade but then again, they are legit, just like some people will pay more for a Winchester with saddle scabbard wear that was carried by a cowboy. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

For the really good or rare stuff they put it on auction on the site to gain the most profit. Their proceeds go towards supporting our national shooting sports, especially the youth programs. Where do RIA, Redding, Wards, etc. proceeds go? I don't mind paying a couple extra $$ to support a good cause.

Best Regards,

TXGunNut on CMP Affiliation

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 02:08:27 +0000

I've perused the CMP site a few times, not sure what to think of it. I'm assuming the M14's and Tench Guns will most likely be refurbished with little collector value. Is there a collector value for these guns? it would be nice if some were unissued or not in need of refurbishing but it's hard to say at this time. I had a chance to buy some CMP M1 Carbines and M1-A's awhile back and values seemed quite strong for what I felt was a shooter grade gun because of the extensive repairs. Are the rules different in the Milsurp world?

Mike