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Here’s an ad from when it was for sale over 15 years ago: http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/early-1st-model-1886-winchester.htm
mrcvs said
Here’s an ad from when it was for sale over 15 years ago: http://www.antiquearmsinc.com/early-1st-model-1886-winchester.htm
If you go ahead with trying to sell it, use those photos–you bought the gun, so you’re entitled to them. If I were looking for an ’86 to shoot or hunt with, a gun in this cond. is what I’d be trying to find.
Where’s Bert at? He ought to have some idea of the value range of your 86 as it is described.
James
Valuation would otherwise be low other than for the 2 digit serial number.
mrcvs said
Valuation would otherwise be low other than for the 2 digit serial number.
My thoughts as well. Why not throw out the names of the auction houses with the values they appraised it at…or just go with one of them on a reserve basis and you’ll find out soon enough. And, if it does not sell, you should have a good idea of a set price you can use on GB or GI.
James
Haven’t decided yet whether I really want to let it go or not. I might regret it someday. I did run it by several of the big name auction houses and had a low end estimate as low as $1500 and a high end estimate as high as $20,000. My gut instinct is that it would hammer at $6000 to $8000, but I could be far off in each direction possibly.
The fact that the gun does not letter 40-82 is a problem when it comes to value. T/R
TR said
The fact that the gun does not letter 40-82 is a problem when it comes to value. T/R
Noreally I would say yes except it clearly has an italic calibre markings which is only on the earliest 1886s. If not original to the gun, it’s a very early swap. Makes less sense to go from .45-70 to .40-82 than the other way around.
You have wood damage and repair, artificial patina, and a gun that doesn’t letter going against you. The low serial number is going for you. My advice is keep it, I don’t see a huge up side. If you go to sell it put a reserve on it. T/R
Online
My gut tells me it was shipped as a .40-82. However, when purchasing a rifle, most of us have to think about what the eventual prospect of potential buyer’s perspectives will be. I have met a few collector’s who assert a plan to be buried with their rifles. Certainly, less concern about downrange buyer’s perspective for them.
Presumably anyone interested in this gun would want it to shoot, so what’s the availability of brass? An ’86 in the same cond., but chambered for .45-70 or .45-90 would generate respectable interest, even with it’s defects.
clarence said
Presumably anyone interested in this gun would want it to shoot, so what’s the availability of brass? An ’86 in the same cond., but chambered for .45-70 or .45-90 would generate respectable interest, even with it’s defects.
Buffalo Arms usually carries .40-82 brass. They are presently out of stock.
steve004 said
Buffalo Arms usually carries .40-82 brass. They are presently out of stock.
Having at least one box to sell with the rifle might help overcome some of the other objections.
I think it’s not in”bad” shape, all things considered and if You take less than $6000.00 for it I’ll buy it. I feel You are on the money at app.$8000.00. It wouldn’t be a “shooter” in My rack. There are 89 other 2 digit ’86’s out there but Show Me another one
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
TR said
You have wood damage and repair, artificial patina, and a gun that doesn’t letter going against you. The low serial number is going for you. My advice is keep it, I don’t see a huge up side. If you go to sell it put a reserve on it. T/R
In addition to what TR said I doubt that the stock that is on it now was what it was born with. Bad fit at the receiver and upper tang and the buttplate.
For the record, should someone have something similar, here’s the link to Cowan’s Auctions, where this rifle sold earlier today for $5000, but with buyer’s premium of 20%, it shows $6000. As I said previously, I thought it to be worth 6 to 8k, and it went for exactly 6k. I felt Cowan’s overvalued it at 10 to 20k, but I had to give it a try!
https://www.cowanauctions.com/lot/early-winchester-1886-rifle-serial-number-72-4051357
I negotiated a 5% seller’s premium and they picked it up for free so I net $4750. I had hoped it would bring the 8k, but I’m happy with the 6k as I’m still ahead. At 10 to 20k, it opens at half the low end, so I didn’t have to set a reserve.
I lack the sophistication to list on Gunbroker, so the bricks and mortar route was the best option for me.
I’m not a big fan of Rock Island Auction, and many bid high there only to be disappointed and a lower price is sometimes negotiated afterwards, but I am really disappointed their refusal to list in their premier auction. They didn’t value it much, and I get it that it has condition issues, but it is an early Model 1886 rifle.
So, I thought I would present this if it is of help to anyone. At least my valuation was low end spot on. Probably it will be sold on Gunbroker some day for more, but again, I lack that ability.
In the end, I’m happy. I think that the market for firearms with condition issues may struggle over time.
mrcvs said
For the record, should someone have something similar, here’s the link to Cowan’s Auctions, where this rifle sold earlier today for $5000, but with buyer’s premium of 20%, it shows $6000. As I said previously, I thought it to be worth 6 to 8k, and it went for exactly 6k. I felt Cowan’s overvalued it at 10 to 20k, but I had to give it a try!https://www.cowanauctions.com/lot/early-winchester-1886-rifle-serial-number-72-4051357
I negotiated a 5% seller’s premium and they picked it up for free so I net $4750. I had hoped it would bring the 8k, but I’m happy with the 6k as I’m still ahead. At 10 to 20k, it opens at half the low end, so I didn’t have to set a reserve.
I lack the sophistication to list on Gunbroker, so the bricks and mortar route was the best option for me.
I’m not a big fan of Rock Island Auction, and many bid high there only to be disappointed and a lower price is sometimes negotiated afterwards, but I am really disappointed their refusal to list in their premier auction. They didn’t value it much, and I get it that it has condition issues, but it is an early Model 1886 rifle.
So, I thought I would present this if it is of help to anyone. At least my valuation was low end spot on. Probably it will be sold on Gunbroker some day for more, but again, I lack that ability.
In the end, I’m happy. I think that the market for firearms with condition issues may struggle over time.
Very informative and interesting. Thanks for posting.
I have been reading this thread with interest as I have a 1892 Winchester that I would like some idea of value. Its a bit better condition than I am use to. Is this forum the correct one to post pictures and ask for an opinion of value?
Shortgrub said
I have been reading this thread with interest as I have a 1892 Winchester that I would like some idea of value. Its a bit better condition than I am use to. Is this forum the correct one to post pictures and ask for an opinion of value?
Yes it is.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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