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Hello all, as a new collector, it is very difficult for me to determine value, but I’m doing my best to watch auctions and private sales to look at condition, model etc., to see where things sell. One question that has come up lately is in how to determine the value of the takedown models. I’m wondering is there a bottom dollar price for a takedown in fair to good condition? For example you may say, they never sell below $2500? I have no idea so I thought I’d pose the question to the group here. And part of the reason I ask is there’s one locally to me that a guy has had for sale for quite some time at a lower than expected price and it hasn’t sold. When I look at it it seems in good condition, and I wonder what the hang up may be. Anyhow, any help is appreciated!
Matt
Matt, it takes a lot of hands on experience to get a feel for the condition and originality of a gun. Watching auctions is the last thing to do to learn. There are a lot of bad guns selling for way too much. Buy Larry Shennum and Bert Hartman’s Red Book of Winchester Values. Go to as many guns shows as you can, especially the collector shows. Try to meet some of the WACA members at these shows. You really need a mentor.
You have not told us what Model you are looking for?
Chuck, thanks for the reply. Yes, it has been clear to me that watching gunbroker for example, the values are just all over the place. And I wonder how people buy there without being able to handle the gun or with very few photos. That being said, I have done it myself, but only when the price was such that I didn’t feel I was overpaying no matter the outcome. Thanks for the tip on the books, I didn’t email Bert yesterday to include on if my rifles in his survey, I will get ahold of the book as well.
Being in Alaska it is a challenge to get to shows, though I did break it to my wife last night that I’ll likely go to the Cody show this summer, as I’ve always wanted to go to the museum, have hunted close by, and of course the show is going on.
As far as the model I’m after, there is a 30wcf takedown here locally, 26”, round barrel, can’t recall the year but I think about 1910. I’m not after a takedown in particular, there just happens to be one close by in good condition, and of course the TD fetches a higher price, hence the reason I’m asking a sort of ballpark bottom price on them.
Matt Herman said
Chuck, thanks for the reply. Yes, it has been clear to me that watching gunbroker for example, the values are just all over the place. And I wonder how people buy there without being able to handle the gun or with very few photos. That being said, I have done it myself, but only when the price was such that I didn’t feel I was overpaying no matter the outcome. Thanks for the tip on the books, I didn’t email Bert yesterday to include on if my rifles in his survey, I will get ahold of the book as well.Being in Alaska it is a challenge to get to shows, though I did break it to my wife last night that I’ll likely go to the Cody show this summer, as I’ve always wanted to go to the museum, have hunted close by, and of course the show is going on.
As far as the model I’m after, there is a 30wcf takedown here locally, 26”, round barrel, can’t recall the year but I think about 1910. I’m not after a takedown in particular, there just happens to be one close by in good condition, and of course the TD fetches a higher price, hence the reason I’m asking a sort of ballpark bottom price on them.
Matt,
Go back and look at the rifle and take several photos of it. You can post the images in this forum thread and we will be happy to advise regarding the originality and what a fair value for the gun may be.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
twobit said
Matt,
Go back and look at the rifle and take several photos of it. You can post the images in this forum thread and we will be happy to advise regarding the originality and what a fair value for the gun may be.
Michael
Matt -I certainly agree with what Michael says about submitting some quality photos to the Forum for an evaluation. Make sure you have good photos of the barrel markings including tang and caliber stamps – sounds like it is late enough to have proof marks so a good photo of the marks is helpful. Make sure you include the serial number – no xxx’s, the entire serial number. Bert Hartman, co-author of the Red Book has a pretty extensive survey of Model 94’s and with the serial number he may be able to give you some information, if he has previously entered the guns serial number. You never know where the gun has been but if it has been thru an auction or on the internet he may have it noted. He keeps detailed information about the configuration, caliber and if problems with the gun have previously been noted. He has saved many a potential buyer from making a drastic mistake. And, as I told you in the PM a few days ago, I am in Alaska and I may even know the gun. I have had at least 20 Model 1894’s over the last 50 years. Until 5 years ago I had a standard grade, a special (deluxe grade) and carbine in all the 1894 calibers. After my downsizing I am down to one – and that’s ok because I was a good temporary caretaker and some other collector is now enjoying them.
The gun Burt shows is a very fine example of an 1894. A standard gun in that condition would still be worth at least $5,000 or more and would be one that is hard to improve on.
Without a doubt Burt, that one is a thing of beauty. So nice in fact I don’t think I’d ever take it anywhere but the range! I will definitely take the advice given here to heart, and if I have the opportunity, get some photos and details prior to a purchase. I do tend to get somewhat impulsive, but this is likely not the avenue for that. Thank you kindly
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