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I am new to the forum and also to collecting Winchesters. I’ve been reading some of the old issues of the magazine and also my few books on Winchesters. Is their a book you would recommend about Winchester .22’s, and collecting them? I think that would be a great place for me to start. Maybe .22’s prior to 1940. Any help would be appreciated. We have a local gun show here this weekend, I’ll start the hunt. One last question, should I specialize? Maybe just bolt-actions or single-shots, etc. I feel like I’m wandering in the wilderness.
Don, welcome to the club. I was told long ago “buy what you like and in the best condition you can afford” There are plenty of great people here who will answer questions and give good advice if you ask. Take it!
Casey
Don,
As Casey said above, buy what catches your eye in the best condition you can afford is the best course. I used to collect guns that were special order or rare that didnt quite appeal to me other than filing a niche in my collection. Over the years I have since sold them off in preference for only the ones that have eye appeal for me and ones I truly enjoy.
As for books, Im not too much into the 22 cal’s but Ned Schwing’s “Winchester Slide Action Rifles” (2 volumes) and the old standard for all things Winchester–the “Winchester Book” by George Madis would be a good start. Im sure there are a few other references books out there that others may point you to.
Chris
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
Hi Don and welcome to the forum and to WACA. As mentioned above, Ned Schwing’s books are an absolute if you will be collecting Winchester slide action rifles. I think the soft copy version that has all 4 models in it is the way to go. I bought one several years ago for $100.00 shipped, but see some now for as high as $250.00. Keep checking Ebay. There is also another book, “Walnut and Steel”, vintage 22 rifles, by Bill Ward that’s a pretty good reference. Available on Amazon and Ebay I think. When I buy a Winchester, I try to buy a model that is collectable, in all original condition, with and excellent bore, and excellent wood to metal fit. There are models that are more collectable than others and will be easier to move later on if you want to sell them. If they have been hashed/altered/refinished, problems down the road with resale. I don’t buy “rare” guns just to have them in my collection if they do not meet the criteria. If you don’t understand wood to metal fit, bores, original condition etc, then ask questions before buying. Most of us have not done that at the start of our collecting, and have regretted jumping the gun. It can be costly if your not careful. There are people on this forum that will help you get going. I am no expert, but you can PM me if you need help with something. Peter
Just my opinion of course…others will differ
Don,
I would enjoy hearing your feedback on the Farmington show, as far as the available assortment of Winchesters goes. After decades of attending the Albuquerque shows I’ve stopped going as old Winchesters there are as rare as hen’s teeth. Nowadays the show here is dominated by black guns and all the accessories available for customizing them – not my bag.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Wincacher, I understand the black guns comment. That was the case here also last year. I only stayed about thirty minutes. I’m really not expecting anything different this year. But it’s a gun show and you never know. What older rifles I did see were really rough, but for premium prices. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
nanzca, 1892takedown, Eagle, thanks for the help. I will try and locate these books. Also I appreciate buy what appeals to you. That’s usually my philosophy about most things.
Well Don you are in a great place, the whole world of Winchester .22s stretches before you.
I have been told to buy the books before buying the rifle but that is sometimes hard to do but these have helped me immensely.
Herbert Houze “The Dreams of Youth” on Winchester .22 single shot rifles is very good
Duncan Barnes “The History of Winchester Firearms” has a good coverage with Schewing’s works on the slide actions a must.
Some of these are a bit behind current knowledge but they give a good grounding
A great thing about .22 rifles as although you can spend top dollar to get absolute mint rare types most are relatively cheap to acquire and can give great sport to use.
One other thing before you buy the books is the rimfirecentral forums, tremendous amount of expertese and lots of photos to whet your interest, it even can lead to other manufacturers rifles getting into your safe!
Welcome aboard and I hope to see you posting in both places sharing your future purchases.
January 26, 2011
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Don,
The Winchester 22 caliber rifles are a good place to start collecting. Personally, I would focus on the slide actions, as they hold more value and are much easier to sell if you decide to upgrade or trade for some lever actions later on. You are on the right track in thinking that the pre-war guns are the ones to own. There are some great little bolt actions and single shots, but I’ve had a harder time getting them sold later on. Model 1890’s are good property, especially in the Long Rifle and WRF calibers. I also find that good, original, M61’s and M62’s seem to always sell. At one time I had 20 or more of the various slide actions, but have let some go to focus more on the levers. I still own a half dozen or so of them. They are great little guns and much easier on the pocket book even in the high condition examples.
Good luck and let the gang here help you along as you go. We may not all agree, but you will get a wide range of knowledge, and opinions.
~Gary~
Don Snell said
I am new to the forum and also to collecting Winchesters. I’ve been reading some of the old issues of the magazine and also my few books on Winchesters. Is their a book you would recommend about Winchester .22’s, and collecting them? I think that would be a great place for me to start. Maybe .22’s prior to 1940. Any help would be appreciated. We have a local gun show here this weekend, I’ll start the hunt. One last question, should I specialize? Maybe just bolt-actions or single-shots, etc. I feel like I’m wandering in the wilderness.
Hello and welcome Don,
In addition to Ned Schwing’s book I will be happy to help with any questions on the Model 61’s.
WACA 61 Survey
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-22-rim-fire/model-61-research-survey/
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
If you start 22 collecting with the slides, you will be putting some big $$$ out for something that is readily obtainable.
I started with the bolt action types as they are getting harder and harder to find. Some are very scarce and valuable.
Some of these old 22’s are starting to dry up. Lots of cheaper M47’s, M67’s 68’s and 69’s and M72’s are still out there, but the values are going up all the time.
56’s and 57’s bring premiums for nice ones.
Still cheap are the 77’s and 55’s.
The earlier you go back into 22’s, condition plays a big role in values.
22’s are a lot of fun to collect, and like all Winchesters, they are becoming scarcer and scarcer every day. Big Larry (22 collector)
I started with the model 67. A single shot 22 that was easy to find and cheap in Winchester terms. I’ve stayed with single shot 22s with the 67 still my mainstay. Pick a rifle you like and can afford. Read all you can here and rimfire central have a lot of people willing to share what they know. It will amaze you how many changes were made to some of these rifles over their production. Good luck and happy collecting Jay
I’m off to a local gun show today. Not too optimistic though. Last year it was mostly black rifles and supporting products.
You never know though.
Don Snell said
I am new to the forum and also to collecting Winchesters. I’ve been reading some of the old issues of the magazine and also my few books on Winchesters. Is their a book you would recommend about Winchester .22’s, and collecting them? I think that would be a great place for me to start. Maybe .22’s prior to 1940. Any help would be appreciated. We have a local gun show here this weekend, I’ll start the hunt. One last question, should I specialize? Maybe just bolt-actions or single-shots, etc. I feel like I’m wandering in the wilderness.
I was lucky in that my father collected guns, and my first gun at age 12 was a Model 61. I mostly collect them now because of the many variations offered by the time they quit making them in 1963. They have proven to be a great investment………… I assume that trend will continue.
Also have acquired 1890s, Model 03, Model 63, model 52, and a 9422. Doing so has proved to be challenging and yet rewarding. There are A LOT of good sources at this website. Feel free to tap those resources and get your hands on some of the books mentioned.
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