I have always enjoyed reading or talking to someone that got a great deal (pure luck) just by being at the right place at the right time. Here’s an example. A friend of mine walked into a hole- in- the- wall gun shop about ten years ago that had a total of about eleven guns for sale (no longer in business) and behind the counter in the rack was a Winchester model 1892 in .25-20 with five special features. It was on consignment for $650. Friend asked if the gun owner would do any better and the shop owner said I’ll call him later today and find out and give you a call. My friend told me he was not letting go of that rifle and just went ahead and paid the $650. My friend was a wheeler dealer and turned the rifle over a week later to a well known gun dealer for $3200. Have any of you walked in on a great deal during your gun shop and gun show travels? RRM
Rat Rod Mac said
I have always enjoyed reading or talking to someone that got a great deal (pure luck) just by being at the right place at the right time. Here’s an example. A friend of mine walked into a hole- in- the- wall gun shop about ten years ago that had a total of about eleven guns for sale (no longer in business) and behind the counter in the rack was a Winchester model 1892 in .25-20 with five special features. It was on consignment for $650. Friend asked if the gun owner would do any better and the shop owner said I’ll call him later today and find out and give you a call. My friend told me he was not letting go of that rifle and just went ahead and paid the $650. My friend was a wheeler dealer and turned the rifle over a week later to a well known gun dealer for $3200. Have any of you walked in on a great deal during your gun shop and gun show travels? RRM
Wow – and that gun dealer surely flipped it for even more!
November 7, 2015
Funny thing about that story is a gun like that will gather dust in a “hole in the wall” shop until a collector walks in. Shop owner may have even known it had significant collector value.
Yes, I’ve scored some pretty good deals in unlikely places. That’s what makes this hobby fun.
Mike
This was my latest great deal. Also a Model 1892 in .25 20. I bought it last month for $3500. A dealer was behind me at the table at a gun show mouthing he would pay $3750 as I counted out $100 bills. I was offered $500 more than I paid for it when I walked away from the table, which I declined. Which means I got a good deal.
I always check sights out any where I see them and stopped at a sight dealer at Tulsa and seen he had a Winchester 62b folding peep. I asked what he wanted and it was $700. Upon a closer look I noticed it wasn’t the 62b but a original 62a which I have only seen less than a handful of them. I didn’t argue the price and promptly paid him.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I once got a call from a friend that he had received a cigar box with old Winchester cartridges that he wanted to give as a present. There were 8 cartridges in caliber .35 WCF in the box.
The funny thing is that I was missing exactly these 8 cartridges in an original box! There is a chance of 1 in a billion to find a cigar box with cartridges in exactly this US caliber, which also come from the right time here in Germany in the village.
Stefan
A few yrs back a guy called me & said he heard I collected Winchesters & had an old one he would sell. I said email some photos & I’ll get back to you.
The photos arrived & it was definitely shooter grade but an honest 38-55 octagon bl rifle with no cracks in the wood or issues.
I was just getting ready to write back just not the condition I collect now when he emailed a few more photos & stated he wanted $750 firm. Upon checking the last photo it was a 3 digit Ser# ?. I immediately went back to the receiver photos & confirmed the 10 o’clock screw I missed when browsing thru the photos the first time. I don’t think I have to say anymore.
mrcvs said
This was my latest great deal. Also a Model 1892 in .25 20. I bought it last month for $3500. A dealer was behind me at the table at a gun show mouthing he would pay $3750 as I counted out $100 bills. I was offered $500 more than I paid for it when I walked away from the table, which I declined. Which means I got a good deal.
You know that dealer offering $3750 had a healthy mark-up in mind.
steve004 said
mrcvs said
This was my latest great deal. Also a Model 1892 in .25 20. I bought it last month for $3500. A dealer was behind me at the table at a gun show mouthing he would pay $3750 as I counted out $100 bills. I was offered $500 more than I paid for it when I walked away from the table, which I declined. Which means I got a good deal.You know that dealer offering $3750 had a healthy mark-up in mind.
Yes, my thoughts exactly!
mrcvs said
This was my latest great deal. Also a Model 1892 in .25 20. I bought it last month for $3500. A dealer was behind me at the table at a gun show mouthing he would pay $3750 as I counted out $100 bills. I was offered $500 more than I paid for it when I walked away from the table, which I declined. Which means I got a good deal.
Any chance that you have passed on the SN and I can put it in my survey? Nice looking rifle for sure.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
twobit said
mrcvs said
This was my latest great deal. Also a Model 1892 in .25 20. I bought it last month for $3500. A dealer was behind me at the table at a gun show mouthing he would pay $3750 as I counted out $100 bills. I was offered $500 more than I paid for it when I walked away from the table, which I declined. Which means I got a good deal.Any chance that you have passed on the SN and I can put it in my survey? Nice looking rifle for sure.
Michael
58949
It might be difficult to tell from the photographs posted, but this rifle has a rubber shotgun butt and a button magazine.
steve004 said
The more I look at this rifle, the more envious I am. And I was pretty darn envious to start with!
Thanks so much. I am in the kitchen doing some prep cooking and getting ready for 60 people for dinner on Sunday evening. So I cruised over most of the thread and missed the SN. It is a new one for the data!! And a gorgeous rifle.
Interestingly it is another “special order” rifle that took 19 months between the receiver being serialized and the fully assembled rifle to enter the warehouse. And then it sat there for 6 months before it was shipped out.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
twobit said
Thanks so much. I am in the kitchen doing some prep cooking and getting ready for 60 people for dinner on Sunday evening. So I cruised over most of the thread and missed the SN. It is a new one for the data!! And a gorgeous rifle.
Interestingly it is another “special order” rifle that took 19 months between the receiver being serialized and the fully assembled rifle to enter the warehouse. And then it sat there for 6 months before it was shipped out.
Michael
Are you referencing number 58949?
What dates do you have for serialization, and then assembly, and then as shipped?
I would have to put that rifle in the “SCREAMER” category! The 25-20 has always been a favorite of mine. You really scored “BIG TIME” in my opinion. I do have one observation, is this another special order rifle with the front sight reversed? They seem to be popping up recently. RDB
rogertherelic said
I would have to put that rifle in the “SCREAMER” category! The 25-20 has always been a favorite of mine. You really scored “BIG TIME” in my opinion.
No arguments there! And thank you for the compliment. I am truly humbled.
Stay tuned! I ordered a factory letter earlier this evening.
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