Scott Wagner said
Steve and all Winchester fans!  I've collected Winchester model 12 and 42 shotguns for 45 years, been fortunate to acquire a nice collection.   I look forward to more discussion and contribution of all things Winchester! 
  

Scott, I'd love to hear and see more about your collection, especially the 42s.

Paul

Scott Wagner said
Hi Beth, That is an interesting and likely original prewar 28 gauge.  The 800,xxx serial number falls within a confident serial number block range.  I'm interested!   Scott 
  

I believe Scott must be very interested.  This is his first and only post in 22 years! 

I hope this finds you all well. I inherited a Winchester model 12 a28 ga shotgun from my dad and am curious if there are any suggestions on the best way to sell it? 

I haven’t ever shot the gun (supposedly it’s only be shot like 4 times) and am hoping it can find a new home with another owner.  I’ve emailed the Cody center in WY for a certification letter but am curious for other user’s experiences selling a similar gun. 

The serial number is in the 800k range. 

Winchester model 12 -28 ga

Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome. thank you! Beth

Maverick said

Ah Yes, but also NO. You are correct, simply based on a rate of inflation calculator. But the 1877 money was backed by the Gold Standard and the U.S. Dollar was until 1971. Thank you Richard Nixon.
So its more accurate to compare the value from the weight of $60 worth of gold coins to the current value of gold today. Because back then money was gold or silver and not worth nothing like it is now! And the value of the weight of just the gold is irrespective of the value of the gold coin.
Now take a look what it would be if you had a qty. of 60 dated silver 1877 $1 Trade Dollar coins.
Value Breakdown

Total Silver Weight: 60 coins × 0.7876 troy ounces = 47.256 troy ounces of pure silver.
Current Silver Price: $57.38 per troy ounce.
Total Melt Value: 47.256 oz × $57.38/oz = $2,711.55.


Collector Value vs. Melt Value

It is crucial to note that U.S. trade dollars are highly sought-after historic items. You should never melt them down, as their numismatic (collector) value dwarfs their raw silver value. Even in heavily worn or circulated condition, a genuine 1877 trade dollar regularly sells for $175 to $400+ per coin. For a collection of 60 authentic coins, the market value could realistically range from $10,500 to well over $50,000, depending heavily on their condition and mint marks.
 
So basically almost as close as the same amount of money in silver vs gold by comparison.
 
If I only had a time machine.
  

Many years ago, my mother invested in a lot of silver.  She figured out that the profit margin was the same percent for gold and silver and it was cheaper to buy silver.  She bought the silver for $8 per ounce and sold it for $40 when the Hunt brothers tried to corral the market.  She also sold all of the silver coins in her collection.  They brought a higher price per ounce.   But not all gold or silver is worth the same per ounce.  Some bars or coins will bring more money when sold buy will cost more to buy.

Jeremy P said
There's a few (seemingly) reputable YouTube channels with 2A attorneys discussing this topic. I've heard from one of them that there will be an opportunity soon to "deregister" anything you previously got tax stamps for, but I haven't heard much more. All of this is dependent on how the next election or two goes though, I'm sure, so I'm not getting too excited just yet.....but, it is the best time to buy an SBR or suppressor as there's ever been!
  

What he said.  Unless you live in a communist state like mine.  Henry, anything under 16” is an SBR in the USA, so to own a trapper under 16” it has to be on the list of serial numbers the ATF has.  There are some long threads on the forum discussion questionable SBR trappers.  Why did our government come up with an agency to regulate everything I'm addicted to. Just my luck.  

30gov03 said
That $60.00 in 1877 translates to $1,914.17 in 2026.
What passes for a dollar ($1.00) in 2026 would only get you 3 cents ($0.03) in 1877.
 
Jim
  

Ah Yes, but also NO. You are correct, simply based on a rate of inflation calculator. But the 1877 money was backed by the Gold Standard and the U.S. Dollar was until 1971. Thank you Richard Nixon.

So its more accurate to compare the value from the weight of $60 worth of gold coins to the current value of gold today. Because back then money was gold or silver and not worth nothing like it is now! And the value of the weight of just the gold is irrespective of the value of the gold coin.

Now take a look what it would be if you had a qty. of 60 dated silver 1877 $1 Trade Dollar coins.

• Total Silver Weight: 60 coins × 0.7876 troy ounces = 47.256 troy ounces of pure silver.
• Current Silver Price: $57.38 per troy ounce.
• Total Melt Value: 47.256 oz × $57.38/oz = $2,711.55.

Henry Mero said
What is a SBR
  

Short barreled rifle