Photographs?

As you’re aware of, the Centennial model 1866-1966 commemorative rifle, and carbine that were offered in 1966, were some of the very first Commemoration’s that Winchester offered. A total of 102,309 we’re mfg.(out of a possible 102,666 as indicated), in both configurations. I don’t see where factory sets we’re ever put together as yours we’re probably put together at the time of purchase as these we’re not serial numbered at all.No prefix, or suffix either, unlike many later commemorative, rifles and carbines.

Surprisingly, the rifle and the carbine are both in Model 1894, (not in the model 1866). The Rifle, 26 inch Octagon barrel, full magazine tube,with an inscription in gold lettering on the blued barrel, “A Century of Leadership”,(probably on both), in 30-30 Winchester. caliber, and a gold plated receiver, and forend cap, having a saddle ring on it’s left side. (according to the information, but no picture of the left side is shown, with the S.R.). The Walnut stock shows nice figure in Tom Trollard’s Book.

The Carbine, model 1894, with a gold plated receiver, and forend cap, and a picture of a SR, on the left side, with a 20 inch Octagon barrel, full magazine tube, and also in the 30-30 Winchester caliber. Both have the crescent butt, as the pictures don’t show the color or possibly what they are.

These we’re offered at $65.00 apiece, in 1966.

Anthony

Our Canadian guru on Commemoratives, Henry Mero, is the man whose opinion I would seek. You might want to send him a PM.  

Condition of the firearm and its container and papers is a huge portion of the value of any Winchester commemorative, the remainder being the rarity and popularity of the issue.

My very limited understanding of the market is anything less than ASNIB causes a drastic fall-off in value. From what you say, that is not an issue. However, at a certain point the arms themselves will have to be carefully removed and examined. No rational collector is going to opine on, much less buy, a pig in a poke. 

That’s what I think but my opinion is worth what you paid for it.  Henry understands the current market better than anyone I know and I’d take what he says to the bank. 

I was of age when your commemorative set was issued in 1966 and saw a pair at McBride’s in Austin.  I know from a personal conversation with the late Tom Henshaw that these 1966 commemoratives were the ONLY firearms the Winchester-Western division of Olin Industries ever made a profit on. One reason for that was the issue was not small, which I would think would impact value. The guns themselves are not rare although the condition of yours may now be, through the passage of time and the vicissitudes of life. 

Another possible consideration is the rifle and the carbine are both made to the most unfortunate Model 94 manufacturing standards of the post-1963 era. Underneath the plating, the same sintered metal receivers and stamped parts are present that replaced machined forgings in 1964 and later production, for almost a Decade.  The uniqueness of an octagon barrel and crescent buttplate, not seen on a Model 94 after WWII, may compensate for diminished manufacturing quality. 

I’d be interested to see what Henry thinks.

COL K said
They were not “put together at time of purchase” Is it possible that this is the way Winchester shipped them? The outer shipping sleeve that encased the two consecutive serial numbered guns is a Winchester marked outer sleeve with a decades old store name written on the box. I am aware they are 1894 model guns offered in 1966. They are plain, no engravings with plain wood. I am looking for 2025 value, not 1966.
  

COL K,

It’s very possible you are correct, as I only tried to add what I read in Tom Trollard’s Commemorative book, to try to help you out, as you asked.

So you’re saying that they are numbered. In his book he states that no serial numbers were present! I was curious if the rifle had a Saddle Ring? 

What about the gold filled engraving on the barrel? You’re saying that there is none?

COL K said
Looking for value for a set of Winchester Centennial 66.s. This set is still in the dual sleeved shipping box. I opened once to check condition. This set sat on the same store shelves for 55 years. I was in the shop often as a teenager and didn’t buy them until 2021! The store reps didn’t even want to open the box! Even though the outer sleeve was opened the staples are intact!
 
  

I will say that it is possible that Winchester did in fact ship them together, as they we’re ordered. As I re read you’re post, I feel that I mi-understood you’re “Dual sleeved” post, as I’m sure they we’re sleeved separately, and then placed in the Winchester marked cardboard box/sleeve, as many are.

1966 money @$65.00 is worth $650.00 in today’s, 2025 money. With that said, I would expect those would at least command that kind of number, if not more, being so called NIB. The best way to find out is to do you’re research on the current Guns International, and Gun Broker, besides any Auctions that might come up in a Google search, and determine what they could bring on today’s current market. It would be purely speculation to guess at what someone else might pay you for these, or to guess at these values, as they do fluctuate, on the firearms market.

When you bought the rifles in 2021, that same $65.00 value in 1966 was worth $270.97, in 2021, as gun numbers we’re up as a so called sellers market, if I remember correctly, and now in 2025, with it being more or less a buyers market, I wouldn’t expect a large increase, and not knowing what you paid for these NIB, commemorative rifles, as that’s you’re prerogative, I wish you well with them.

Zebulon, Made a good point as fellow Collector, Henry Mero, has a pretty good insight on the Commemorative Rifles.

Anthony

I was interested to find this one currently offered.  Wow, it is far from being in it’s original box with paperwork.  Not only no box etc. but seller notes pin pricking on the barrel.  He states, “could use a reblue.”  I was heartened to read that the bore was, “strong.”

I don’t know much about the market on these but the price seems on the high side.  I know not having the original box impacts the value, but needing a reblue as well?

I know $900 doesn’t buy much these days but still….

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1129212419

Hi Col K,

I bought a similar set to yours 4 months ago off of Guns International for $2999. Serial #’s 61316 and 61317. Both still in the dual box from Winchester with the end labels identifying the serial #’s of each on the outer box. However, mine had been opened and pictures taken so I knew what I was bidding on. I can also tell you in the last 6 months Joe Pyle auctions sold 2 unopened box sets of the Buffalo Bill and Teddy Roosevelt Winchesters sets for $6750 and $7,000 plus the bidders premium. I just couldn’t pull the trigger (pun intended) to bid that high without knowing what was really in those boxes but clearly someone was okay taking the gamble. On the downside there are many many recent examples of sequential pairs of the Centennial, Canadian Centennial, Buffalo Bill and Teddy Roosevelt going for under $2,000 on Gun Broker in the last 6 months. I would also add the lower your serial # will also impact price. Certainly condition is important and even though these have never been opened it is possible they have rusted because of humidity as these are only in a cardboard box not styrofoam like they converted to in the mid to late 70’s. The fact they are in a box inside another box is helpful here and fingers crossed for you! Links are below so you can see the sales I mentioned. Congrats on scoring a great deal and pair of Winchesters!! Hope this helps you my friend!

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1123207479

https://bid.joerpyleauctions.com/ui/auctions/139676/19700939

https://bid.joerpyleauctions.com/ui/auctions/139676/19700940