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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
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
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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
Nothing to be gained by refinishing either of these guns….
If you can’t convince them, confuse them
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 $$2,750 on the nicer one and $1,750 on the lesser condition piece in the current condition.
WACA Life Benefactor Member
NRA Life Member
Rick Hill said
Bobby:
I collect Model 1894 carbines and agree with all the comments made by others. These are both well above average condition carbines in 100% original condition. The “flaking” or discoloration on the receiver of the one gun is a common occurrence and would indicate that the gun was carried and stored without being wiped down or cleaned and coated with a light coat of gun oil. A ball park retail value on the two guns would be about $4,500 or $$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.
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
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
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.
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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