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Well it’s been awhile since I asked any weird or ridiculous questions, so seeing how I am sitting here layed up I thought “why not”. So my question is, after looking thru all the up coming auctions, GB adds, GI adds, and all the guns out there for sale. And there some good ones, I find myself over whelmed with the available merchandise. Finding myself saying that’s the one only to view the next one and changing my mind. So the real question is this, how did you all decide on what to purchase and collect? What made a particular model or make or type trip you up. Curious how some of you managed to focus on a particular model or how ever you decided what was coming home with you. Say that 1886 in 45-90 vs the high condition 1895 SRC vs a splendid HW with a couple added special features or a lovely 1892 TD deluxe in…… well sure you get the picture at this point. Looking forward to the responses. Have a great day.
Online
My first choice when I see a table full of nice old Winchesters is to pick up any decent condition Single Shot (Rifle, Musket, Winder Musket, etc.). If there are no Single Shots in view, I then gravitate towards any of the John M. Browning (JMB) Winchester models.
I started out my shooting & hunting career at the ripe old age of 5-years old, shooting an old high-wall rifle that had been converted to shoot the 22 Hornet ctg. That began my fascination with the Single Shot. In my opinion, the early Winchester Models while being very important to the history of our country and to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, are simply not the equal to the JMB Winchester models.
My second choice are the Slide-action exposed hammer shotguns (1893 & 1897). I just recently acquired another Model 1893, and in much better condition than usually found. I am in the process of putting together a complete collection of the JMB designed and patented Winchester shotguns (Models 1887, 1893, 1897, and Single Shot. I still need a pre “A” series, a “B” series, and a “B☆” series Model 1893 specimen. I already have the Model 1887, all of the Model 1897/97 series, and the Single Shot (high-wall).
This is a serious addiction, and I can’t seem to find way to kick the habit!
Bert (a JMB disciple)
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Like Bert I am a shooter and have been since I was old enough to prop up and shoot a gun. I was into John Browning so my first choice was a Model 1892.
Since then I have migrated the opposite way than Bert. I love the early guns, especially pre 1880’s guns. These guns saw a different era and an old west that the later guns did not. You don’t have to pick one model just start buying the best ones you can afford.
steve004 said
Tom –You don’t have to just pick one
Steve I’ve tried that too! Just keep winding up with more 45-90’s. Need some 33 wcf’s. The bottom line for me is to many guns, to many interests, not enuf time and $$$$$. Thats why I posted this, hoping for some guidance and wisdom.
oldcrankyyankee said
Thats why I posted this, hoping for some guidance and wisdom.
Well then, you most definitely came to the wrong place to find any of that! Most of us are in the same predicament as you are… or even worse off
Bert (a Die-hard Winchester addict)
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
oldcrankyyankee said
Thats why I posted this, hoping for some guidance and wisdom.
Well then, you most definitely came to the wrong place to find any of that! Most of us are in the same predicament as you are… or even worse off
Bert (a Die-hard Winchester addict)
OH crap! I was hoping for some before I run out of money, I ‘m already working two jobs!! but seriously I am hoping to find out why people chose the guns that they collect.
oldcrankyyankee said
Bert H. said
oldcrankyyankee said
Thats why I posted this, hoping for some guidance and wisdom.
Well then, you most definitely came to the wrong place to find any of that! Most of us are in the same predicament as you are… or even worse off
Bert (a Die-hard Winchester addict)
OH crap! I was hoping for some before I run out of money, I ‘m already working two jobs!! but seriously I am hoping to find out why people chose the guns that they collect.
OK, here is some advice for you… go get yourself a 3rd job which will then give you less time to spend looking at more Winchesters, and it will provide you with a little extra pocket change for when you do relapse and find a Winchester that needs a new home. Because I never hand out “free” advice, please remit $50 payable to the Bert H. Winchester Fund
Our session for today is done, but I do have a time slot open tomorrow afternoon if you need more counseling or advice.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
You can buy anyone you see, but when they start speaking to you, your in trouble!!! And by that I mean when you see one, ask to pick it up knowing that if it checks out, you have to have it….. that’s when you found your problem(for lack of a better word)
Buy the best and leave the rest. That will narrow it down a bit. I try to buy guns that either I really like or come with a lot of built in equity. I can sell the latter to buy more of the former.
THIS ALL STARTED WITH JUST ONE GUN!
I started my shooting life at 7 when my dad let me be the first to shoot his percussion 10 gauge shotgun……….put me on my ass and I laughed and so did my dad. Different time back then but ever since that day I was a gun nut. I have the same dilemma as everyone else here but what tend to look for is shooters. I recently got my hands on a Winchester 1886 45-70 octagon barrel takedown vintage 1905 which is pretty decent shape with a bore of about 7-8 in my opinion. I have shot it but haven’t worked on a load for it yet. But will at some point soon. But the dilemma is that now that I have this rifle I am still on the lookout something similar……the search never ends it seems.
Rob
Bert H. said
oldcrankyyankee said
Bert H. said
oldcrankyyankee said
Thats why I posted this, hoping for some guidance and wisdom.
Well then, you most definitely came to the wrong place to find any of that! Most of us are in the same predicament as you are… or even worse off
Bert (a Die-hard Winchester addict)
OH crap! I was hoping for some before I run out of money, I ‘m already working two jobs!! but seriously I am hoping to find out why people chose the guns that they collect.
OK, here is some advice for you… go get yourself a 3rd job which will then give you less time to spend looking at more Winchesters, and it will provide you with a little extra pocket change for when you do relapse and find a Winchester that needs a new home. Because I never hand out “free” advice, please remit $50 payable to the Bert H. Winchester Fund
Our session for today is done, but I do have a time slot open tomorrow afternoon if you need more counseling or advice.
Bert
Adding to Bert’s advice, remember that a spouse does not need to be limited to just one job….
November 7, 2015
Offline
I don’t pick them, the little scamps just follow me home! But seriously if my collecting activities have a focus (doubtful, it seems) I’d say there’s strong evidence I’m a JMB fan/collector/enabler. I’m also a fan of the Model 12 and just about any Winchester .22 but that seems to be an entirely different focus. I have minimal collector interest in the Model 12 but will someday complete my very modest collection with a Skeet gun. I can’t resist an original .22 in excellent condition as long as I can afford it. I’ve been doing a bit of reading about some Winchester models (21 and 70) I have no intention of collecting, along with a few interesting books by Pauline Muerrle. I’ve also been researching T C Johnson a bit but all I’m finding is a little tidbit here and there, Maybe while you have a little down time you could catch up on your reading, maybe score a few good reference books. After a bit of reading you may discover a hole in your collection and as a result of your research may be better equipped to fill that hole with a nice example or six. Maybe a dozen.
Get better soon.
Mike
Ok so it now appears that I have joined an esteemed club of addicts! Yes my true love is 1886 levers, but I find myself drawn to an occasional 92 or it’s variants. But I think I need a couple 1895’s soon also. Huh, guess I take Bert’s advice and pick up a small parttime 3rd job. 
P.s the missus doesn’t partake in my hobby so we don’t talk about it. lol
I started out with 1894s as they were common and affordable. Then progressed to the 1886, having always wanted one and finding it difficult to afford one. My goal was to own an 1886 by 1986, the 100th anniversary of the 1886. A year I spent the better part of aged 15, with 15 and 16 year old wages. I was unable to achieve that goal but managed to purchase a 33 WCF from 1909 for $750 Sept of 1987. I still have it. Have since come to appreciate the 1885 and 1892.
My approach now is to look for condition. Is it fairly good. Then is the condition explainable, or has it been helped, refinished, etc? If a letter is available, does it support the current state of the rifle or carbine? If problems anywhere to this point, then walk. If not, then what’s the price? Is it reasonable? Or negotiable?
Admittedly, this approach allows for the purchase of few Winchesters but that makes the hobby affordable.
Of course, when it comes to the Model 1885, I sometimes run it past Bert the world’s premier expert on these, as far as does he see what I see, and how much should I pay?
oldcrankyyankee said
Ok so it now appears that I have joined an esteemed club of addicts! Yes my true love is 1886 levers, but I find myself drawn to an occasional 92 or it’s variants. But I think I need a couple 1895’s soon also. Huh, guess I take Bert’s advice and pick up a small parttime 3rd job.
So Tom, are you saying she wouldn’t be interested in picking up an additional job so you can keep expanding your collection? Maybe you should remind her that marriage is a partnership. Well… maybe not.
November 7, 2015
Offline
“Esteemed club of addicts” and determined enablers. If WACA decides we need a motto it seems we have a good start.
Mike
Tom, if you can’t figure out which one you’ll end up like some of us that has at least one of each model.
I think 1892’s are my all time favorite carbines and rifles, and I have 25-20’s, 32-20’s, 38-40’s and 44-40’s the only exception is I don’t have 218 Bee. Right behind my love of 92’s is the 1886 I have 3 all rifles at the moment. I have 4 92’s in 25-20 one is a carbine and it is such a handy little gun. My favorite 1892 is a rifle in 38-40 full octagon barrel this rifle was made in 1896. This rifle has gone everywhere with me and I have used it as a varmint rifle and my tag along in my truck, side by side and in a rifle scabbard on my horse. I like the caliber so much I have both a single and double action revolvers in the same caliber to go along with it……….I could go on! But the close second for me is the 1886 I have 2 in 45-70 and one in 38-56 and I shoot them all I have been on the lookout for a carbine but I am already Winchester poor so not sure when I will work harder on getting one….So an addict I am admitting to like so many here!
Rob
steve004 said
oldcrankyyankee said
Ok so it now appears that I have joined an esteemed club of addicts! Yes my true love is 1886 levers, but I find myself drawn to an occasional 92 or it’s variants. But I think I need a couple 1895’s soon also. Huh, guess I take Bert’s advice and pick up a small parttime 3rd job.
So Tom, are you saying she wouldn’t be interested in picking up an additional job so you can keep expanding your collection? Maybe you should remind her that marriage is a partnership. Well… maybe not.
Good lord Steve, That won’t be happening. She’s a funny gal, as they all are. I bought her an absolutly pristine m17 k22 and she loved it! Now not so much. Oh well, mine now. Chuck, that is one of my goals is one of each model. Long time coming though. My favorite rifle is a 92 Src with smooth pistol grip stock in 32-20, shoots like a dream. But the 86’s cause me a problem. I now own 13 of them and I see no stopping. Just sold off the 38-56 as I look for another 45-90 in a unique configuration. Think that is my hang up, love them as is seems to be the epitome of customer service. Winchester at the time would make what ever you wanted.
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