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May 14, 2025
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Hi guys, I’m thinking of adding a 66 to my collection and curious if you guys see anything wrong with this one? Appreciate any help! Thanks
June 4, 2017
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The first thing you do is google “winchester 1866 20126” and the gun will show up on “March in Montana auction” est 15-25k. Look at the pictures, log in find the sale price, and search some more. Do not be influenced by a cheap estimate, Poulin did that in their last auction buyers went right past the estimates and the guns sold for what they were worth. The value of that gun depends on what you see when you hold it in your hand. No free lunch.
If someone bought it for 20k in 2025 would they sell it for 7k? Maybe no sale or was returned. T/R
May 14, 2025
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TR said
The first thing you do is google “winchester 1866 20126” and the gun will show up on “March in Montana auction” est 15-25k. Look at the pictures, log in find the sale price, and search some more. Do not be influenced by a cheap estimate, Poulin did that in their last auction buyers went right past the estimates and the guns sold for what they were worth. The value of that gun depends on what you see when you hold it in your hand. No free lunch.
If someone bought it for 20k in 2025 would they sell it for 7k? Maybe no sale or was returned. T/R
Thank you TR. I did that and was able to see it sold for 15k plus 3.45 in BP just 12 months ago. It started at 10k and went to 15k. I guess it should be concerning someone would try and unload it so quickly and then RIA did choose to place it in the lower tier auction in April instead of the a premier Auction in May. Could be nothing but is something wrong with this gun? Was something altered or otherwise changed that the previous buyer discovered after purchasing and RIA now also knows about so they have deemed it unworthy of the Premier auction?
February 22, 2024
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I have reservations as the originality of the engraving. It just doesn’t look right to my eyes. yes I do engrave.
June 4, 2017
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I just finished chasing a gun, I won’t say what kind but it wasn’t a Winchester. By Google search I found two auctions in it’s past, the first one with an estimate of 250k-300k with no sale, the second was 30k-50k and it hammered at 25k, still no sale. I was given a chance to buy it for 25k by the still current owner. I countered with a lower offer and he did not accept.
Anyone can think their gun is worth big bucks but it’s only worth what it sells for. When a gun is not original these painful reality checks happen unless you happen to find a fool. Don’t be the fool, do your homework. I watched a guy at Tulsa this last show get screwed because he was to proud to ask for a second opinion. The average buyer knows just enough to get taken.
If RIA gives it an estimate of 7k, it has to have a cat in the closet. T/R
February 22, 2024
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Looking at my Nimschke book and comparing both guns, this is a copy in my opinion
May 2, 2009
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I checked a old 66 survey I have and it listed the gun was in a RIA in Aug 2005 and Sept 2006. They are not on their web site but did have the 2005 catalogs. Attached is the photo of the page. I don’t like the barrel and tube. Absolutely no wear or dings in either and the color of them don’t match. The fit of the tube to the barrel is ugly. If your serious about the gun, get detailed pictures of the entire gun is in order. The pictures they posted are horrible with the white background which darkens the gun to hide detail. I grabbed a picture of the barrel/tube and lightened it so you can see it better.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
March 14, 2022
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Buck1967 said
https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/5032/1/attractive-engraved-winchester-model-1866-lever-action-rifle
Hi guys, I’m thinking of adding a 66 to my collection and curious if you guys see anything wrong with this one? Appreciate any help! Thanks
RIA knows the routine. Their description “Fine as professionally embellished” says it all to me. Not the original engraving.
Rick C
April 30, 2023
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Rick C said
Buck1967 said
https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/5032/1/attractive-engraved-winchester-model-1866-lever-action-rifle
Hi guys, I’m thinking of adding a 66 to my collection and curious if you guys see anything wrong with this one? Appreciate any help! Thanks
RIA knows the routine. Their description “Fine as professionally embellished” says it all to me. Not the original engraving.
This. Add to that they only included 6 pictures on a gun that potentially could be worth north of 10k….plus as mentioned, it’s not in a premier auction. Red flags and they know something we don’t….or that we do I guess.
November 7, 2015
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The description seems to confirm what our experts are seeing, hard to say when the engraving was done but RIA does not describe it as factory engraving. In today’s market it could bring a respectable price. OTOH didn’t someone say that the brass guns have been a bit soft lately? Could be worth a watch.
Mike
June 4, 2017
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This gun is a perfect example why you have to search guns you intend to buy. In the picture 1873man posted you see the estimate, 27.5k-40k. This guns price estimates at auction are on a down hill slide big time. Two different descriptions for the same gun being sold by the same company, RIA. T/R
May 14, 2025
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Thanks Fellas! I think there are enough red flags here that I will pass on this one. I appreciate everyone’s advice and input!
February 17, 2022
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I have a tendency to collect 1886’s and have watched quite a few move from place to place. Two particular ones come to mind. One was a deluxe in 45-90 and it started at one place, supposedly sold, then it showed up 6 months later at a different place, again supposedly sold, only for more. Then 8 months or so later it showed up at RIA and sold for even more. Another was a silver trimmed in 45-90 and it went thru RIa 3 times before it sold. each time getting cheaper. Reminds me of when I was into heavy equipment and I would go to auctions and watch the owners buy back their own stuff for what ever reasons, they didn’t like the price they would get or maybe some weird taxbreak. who knows. It is buy beware out there.
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