1886 on GI-worth it ?|Page 2|Winchester Rifles|Forum|Winchester Collector

I may have missed this point in Henry’s missive, but there are also seller’s premiums to factor into what many auction houses charge.  Beside that, IF I bid at an auction, I start by figuring the price I think the rifle is worth.  Then I deduct the buyer’s premium, deduct sales taxes at the applicable rate, and deduct shipping if needed.  Many times now that computes close enough to just deduct 30% to arrive at my maximum bid.  Which explains why I haven’t succeeded in buying at auction now in some time!  Various auctions just keep inching the buyer’s premium up and up, too!  Often they forego seller’s premiums on good collections or especially valuable single pieces.  IF that is what keeps them in business, and they all seem to be doing well, so be it.  But I also prefer doing business with people vs auctions.  Dealers with a resale certificate can bid about 10% higher than I every time.  Tim

I have watched this gun for awhile as it has been listed for many months. Now I know I am tired and my mind is crap right now but I think it started at around 15k. I think the seller is seeing the light of the true value. Personally I would not put that much on the that gun. 

Zebulon said
I have to say something in defense of Gunbroker and [what used to be called] Auction Arms.  They have both provided me a national market into which I can sell pieces I no longer want in my collection,  at relatively modest cost.
Local dealers have recently upped consignment fees from 15% to 20% and are anxious to turn guns at the low end of market value. Fifteen percent is a pretty good whack and twenty is too much to bear.
By comparison, Gunbroker fees are very modest. And recently they’ve made an effort to accommodate 03 licensees. 
The Biden Administration has made it difficult but not impossible to auction handguns online, although items costing less than a thousand bucks are ovetburdened with high shipping costs.
I have only been mistreated once or twice in Decades when buying via GB online without the ability to lay hands on a piece first. The large houses have a reputation to protect and I’ve never had to send anything back. 
Now, I’m not buying pieces that go for the price of a new car. Perhaps those woods are more populous with tigers. I wouldn’t know. However, I bought my Model 21 Skeet Gun sight unseen and my one Superposed likewise on the strength of photos and seller reputation, which is not bupkis.  
I would rather buy from friends and from dealers I trust.  But sellers I don’t know can be just as treacherous face to face if I don’t have references from people whose judgement I trust. 
I agree with Mike. The most satisfying transactions are with fellow WACA members. 
  

Well said Zeb! The only caveat I would add is buying online has allowed me to meet and make some great new friends! 

steve004 said

TR said
   Nice gun but 40-82 and modern caps the value. That said it’s probably worth what he’s asking. T/R
  

I agree that the chambering and the non-antique status hurt the value.  For me, the wear – little dings and blue loss on the barrel – particularly around the barrel address – turn me off.  I’ll not go as far as to say this wear, “doesn’t add up” to the wear on the rest of the rifle, but it’s giving me pause and one of the reasons I’d have to hold this rifle in my hands before giving it serious consideration.  Even if I did hold the rifle in my hands and assured myself the wear did, “add up” I would still find the barrel wear unappealing.  I do like the bright blue on the receiver sides – that’s the first aspect the drew me to the rifle.  Then I looked at the barrel and though, “oh”
  

I’m probably “above my raising” here but, given the difference in bluing methods employed by Winchester to color barrels and receivers, at the time, i have usually seen more blue loss on the machine-blue receiver than the rust-blue barrel. 

One thing in favor of the 40-82 is it doesn’t offer the hair-flying recoil of the 405, particularly nice for those whose original rifles have steel crescent buttplates and want to shoot them.

There is a certain freedom afforded by reproductions. Because my own 405 is rice powered and so of low origins, I may give it over to my gunsmith to install either a reproduction Silver’s pad like T.R. had or a reproduction patent date pad. But for the time being, it will get fed 40/82 velocity handloads. 

mrcvs said
As others said, not being antique and inn.40-82 hurts this one, but the condition of this one, while decent, really hurts this one.  It’s a 75% gun when you account for barrel wear, patinated areas, etc.  Note the nice chunk missing from the right side of the stock where it meets the upper tang.
Model 1886 rifles have lost a quarter to a third of their value since the Election of 2024.  Also, this rifle falls in a very difficult spot when it comes to interest and ultimate sale.  It has too many features and too much condition to be entry level, a first time purchaser with limited funds who just wants to own a Winchester 1886 rifle.  Thus, it cannot sell in the under $1500 or $2000 range to a guy with limited funds and wants a Winchester 1886.  This first time purchaser will likely want something to shoot, and unless he reloads, which is extremely unlikely, any caliber other than .45-70 will likely be of little or no interest.
A higher end collector will find the special order features but will be turned off by the condition.  He would rather spend more for something with condition.
Caveat emptor!  It is these midrange Winchester Model 1886 (and 1892s, 1894s, 1895s, etc) that will become increasingly a burden.  Which is really sad because, not only do I have a few of them, but they used to be a stepping stone for collectors of modest means who became aware of and appreciated those special order features and would spend a little more for them, but couldn’t afford a pristine example.
Sort of reflects society.  This very rifle would have been owned by a middle class individual the last several decades.  As the middle class diminishes, so does interest in this diminish.  And so the burgeoning lower class and the ever wealthy upper class will chase both ends of the spectrum leaving this one soundly in the dust with little interest.
  

I guess I’m still in the dust pile as I find this a very appealing 1886

mrcvs said

antler1 said

mrcvs said
As others said, not being antique and inn.40-82 hurts this one, but the condition of this one, while decent, really hurts this one.  It’s a 75% gun when you account for barrel wear, patinated areas, etc.  Note the nice chunk missing from the right side of the stock where it meets the upper tang.
Model 1886 rifles have lost a quarter to a third of their value since the Election of 2024.  Also, this rifle falls in a very difficult spot when it comes to interest and ultimate sale.  It has too many features and too much condition to be entry level, a first time purchaser with limited funds who just wants to own a Winchester 1886 rifle.  Thus, it cannot sell in the under $1500 or $2000 range to a guy with limited funds and wants a Winchester 1886.  This first time purchaser will likely want something to shoot, and unless he reloads, which is extremely unlikely, any caliber other than .45-70 will likely be of little or no interest.
A higher end collector will find the special order features but will be turned off by the condition.  He would rather spend more for something with condition.
Caveat emptor!  It is these midrange Winchester Model 1886 (and 1892s, 1894s, 1895s, etc) that will become increasingly a burden.  Which is really sad because, not only do I have a few of them, but they used to be a stepping stone for collectors of modest means who became aware of and appreciated those special order features and would spend a little more for them, but couldn’t afford a pristine example.
Sort of reflects society.  This very rifle would have been owned by a middle class individual the last several decades.  As the middle class diminishes, so does interest in this diminish.  And so the burgeoning lower class and the ever wealthy upper class will chase both ends of the spectrum leaving this one soundly in the dust with little interest.
  

I guess I’m still in the dust pile as I find this a very appealing 1886
  

I didn’t say that I don’t find this rifle appealing, as I do.  It’s just that folks like you and I who do are dwindling.  It’s still appealing to many, most who lack the funds to acquire it.  Or those that have the funds strive for something better in most cases.
  

Ian – 

Yup – the guy who wants this rifle,doesn’t have the money, and the guy who has the money, doesn’t want this rifle.  

I also found this rifle appealing.  But I think you’re right – in general these mid-range Winchesters have seen a devaluation.  And it doesn’t make me happy either, as I have more than a few of them.  I still like them as much as I always did. What other people think they are worth isn’t that important to me.

This rifle may sell at the advertised price.  It only takes one buyer.