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Winchester 1894 1917 Saddle Ring Restoration Advise
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April 11, 2015 - 12:03 am
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Hello folks, I just received two 1894 Saddle Ring Carbine Rifles 30 WCF with manufacture dates going to 1917.  They are surprisingly in  better shape than I thought when the seller told me about them.  On both rifles, the bores are literally 100% mint, sharp, and SHINY as can be.  The blueing on one is roughly 90% and the other is 80%.  Both are very nice though.

I am not a Winchester nut, nor am I a rifle or 30 30 shooter.  So, I must say, I probably do not appreciate these as much as I should. 

I am curious as to the thought on restoration of these rifles?  If I own something (esp firearms) I like them to look new…. and I understand that these are nearly 100 years old.  Should I leave these be?  If I am going to restore them, I obviously would only do so with making them perfect.  I also may just sell these to someone who appreciates them for what they are.

Any thoughts, help, advise… I certainly do not want to kill these or the value if they are worth more than I expect… or decrease the value because they were restored.

Thanks,

B

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April 11, 2015 - 4:19 am
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Bobby,

Based on your description of guns, it would be a colossal mistake to “restore” or refinish them.  Your would instantly reduce the value by a minimum of 50%, not including the added cost of having the work done.  Winchester Model 94 SRCs that are still in 80% – 90% original (unrefinished) condition are worth a LOT more than one that has been refinished.

Bert

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April 11, 2015 - 2:02 pm
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Im not sure if I am allowed to do this but, here is a link to a post I made with pics of the rifle.  Can anyone give me a thought on value of these?

http://www.shootersforum.com/showthread.php?p=814506#post814506

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April 11, 2015 - 3:34 pm
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Nothing to be gained by refinishing either of these guns….

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April 11, 2015 - 3:57 pm
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Bobby:

I collect Model 1894 carbines and agree with all the comments made by others.  These are both well above average condition carbines in 100% original condition.  The “flaking” or discoloration on the receiver of the one gun is a common occurrence and would indicate that the gun was carried and stored without being wiped down or cleaned and coated with a light coat of gun oil.  A ball park retail value on the two guns would be about $4,500 or $$2,750 on the nicer one and $1,750 on the lesser condition piece in the current condition.

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April 11, 2015 - 4:14 pm
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Rick Hill said

Bobby:

I collect Model 1894 carbines and agree with all the comments made by others.  These are both well above average condition carbines in 100% original condition.  The “flaking” or discoloration on the receiver of the one gun is a common occurrence and would indicate that the gun was carried and stored without being wiped down or cleaned and coated with a light coat of gun oil.  A ball park retail value on the two guns would be about $4,500 or $$2,750 on the nicer one and $1,750 on the lesser condition piece in the current condition.

Christ…  my mind was just blown.  I had no idea these rifles could be worth that much money. 

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April 11, 2015 - 4:29 pm
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Bobby Cundiff said

Im not sure if I am allowed to do this but, here is a link to a post I made with pics of the rifle.  Can anyone give me a thought on value of these?

http://www.shootersforum.com/showthread.php?p=814506#post814506

The fellow who told you they were made in 1919 is off the mark a few years. Per the Winchester PR serialization records, both were manufactured in 1917.

I am in complete agreement with Rick’s value assessment.

Bert

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April 11, 2015 - 4:55 pm
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Bert H. said

Bobby Cundiff said

Im not sure if I am allowed to do this but, here is a link to a post I made with pics of the rifle.  Can anyone give me a thought on value of these?

http://www.shootersforum.com/showthread.php?p=814506#post814506

The fellow who told you they were made in 1919 is off the mark a few years. Per the Winchester PR serialization records, both were manufactured in 1917.

I am in complete agreement with Rick’s value assessment.

Bert

Yep, I did the serial research through your this sites data base… and 1917 on both! 

 

I am still in amazement with the value there. 

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April 12, 2015 - 2:24 am
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While the second of the two is clearly the nicer of the two firearms, I don’t think I would go quite as high as $2,750 on the second one, unless the finish on the buttstock better reflected the condition of the blued metal parts.  I think the streaking of the finish due to loss of original finish detracts from the value, and I would think that $2350 to $2500 would be the maximum this firearm would be worth at retail sale.

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April 12, 2015 - 3:20 pm
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mrcvs:

Could very well be.  It’s one of those thing that you have to have “in hand” to really fathom.

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