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March 6, 2011
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A guy I know is thinking of selling his 12″ 1892 .44 Carbine. I have not seen it, but am going to be looking at it. I am guessing it looks like most trappers, well used, in about good condition. Assuming it is original, what would be a reasonable price? $10K was mentioned.
December 9, 2002
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I think until we see pics and know more it’s very hard to answer that question for you, as we all know that it’s one of the more desirable Winchesters to try to collect, and with that comes the greater chance that something could be wrong with it, or maybe the piece isn’t what it should be. With desirability comes price tag, and you seem to be in the right ball park with you’re guesstimate, as we all like to have as much additional information ahead of time to do our due diligence, in checking it out.
The seller shouldn’t, have any issues with good pictures, including measurements, and naturally, the serial number.
I have encountered fellow collectors, like myself, who have walked away from a deal, without that information being provided, or the seller being hesitant. In many cases the Red Flags can be obvious.
Past threads on this very subject exist here on the forum if you search for it!
A lot of experienced collectors here willing to give free advice to help out. Use it as you are trying to! 
Anthony
July 14, 2016
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Anthony could not have said it any better. If you follow his advice, you can’t go wrong! Hopefully he is forthcoming with quality, honest pictures.
A man can never have too many WINCHESTERS...
November 19, 2006
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I think I have known of four 12 inch M1892 Trappers. I remember when James Huntley had one and he sold it through LeRoy Merz. That one was in darn nice shape.
Is it in the letterable range?
And as Tony suggests, photos would be very helpful.
March 20, 2009
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wolfbait said
A guy I know is thinking of selling his 12″ 1892 .44 Carbine. I have not seen it, but am going to be looking at it. I am guessing it looks like most trappers, well used, in about good condition. Assuming it is original, what would be a reasonable price? $10K was mentioned.
I have been working on a research survey of the Model 1892 rifles for 13 years now and have cataloged 7 12 inch configurations. All but one were saddle ring carbines. I will absolutely need several good photos of the gun on order to advise. My email is [email protected]
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
April 30, 2023
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Even if you send those pics to twobit, let’s see them here too!
March 6, 2011
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No pictures available, I have not seen it yet. I was trying to get a value estimate for an original, little finish, worn but very good wood gun. We have all seen guns like that. I can not find any that sold on the internet. The guy is about 90, not a collector, had a gun shop 40+ years ago and took lots of guns in trade. As rare as this gun is, I thought someone may have an estimate of value.
April 15, 2005
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wolfbait said
No pictures available, I have not seen it yet. I was trying to get a value estimate for an original, little finish, worn but very good wood gun. We have all seen guns like that. I can not find any that sold on the internet. The guy is about 90, not a collector, had a gun shop 40+ years ago and took lots of guns in trade. As rare as this gun is, I thought someone may have an estimate of value.
As the old saying goes… “On any given Sunday…”
You really have not provided enough information for a value estimate. Is the gun letterable? If not, that will have a significant effect on the value number. What is the serial number on it?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 20, 2009
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As rare as this gun is, I thought someone may have an estimate of value.
And that is the crux of the problem with answering your question. Winchester rifle values are controlled by condition and configuration. The better the condition the higher the value. The more unique the configuration the higher the value. A rare configuration that spent its life bouncing in the bed of a truck is most likely worth less than a standard rifle in wonderful condition. Unless the rifle is more than a couple hundred miles away it would be well worth the gas money and time to go look at it and take LOTS of photos to then post here or send top me and THEN we can give you an idea of what it might be worth.
AND….. also keep in mind that it is ilegal to purchase a rifle with a 12 inch barrel if it has not been registered with the BATF.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
November 19, 2006
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twobit said
wolfbait said
A guy I know is thinking of selling his 12″ 1892 .44 Carbine. I have not seen it, but am going to be looking at it. I am guessing it looks like most trappers, well used, in about good condition. Assuming it is original, what would be a reasonable price? $10K was mentioned.
I have been working on a research survey of the Model 1892 rifles for 13 years now and have cataloged 7 12 inch configurations. All but one were saddle ring carbines. I will absolutely need several good photos of the gun on order to advise. My email is [email protected]
Michael
Michael –
How many of these were in the letterable range?
And again, thank you for doing what you do.
November 7, 2015
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If the owner had a gun shop he is probably familiar with NFA guns and that may be the reason he didn’t sell it years ago. Tread carefully.
Mike
April 30, 2023
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Check out starting p. 47 of this ATF list. There are VERY few 12-inchers there. That’s strike one for me….if the majority here think it’s real and it’s not on the list, the ATF can be petitioned to add it, but that’s a gamble IMO.
November 9, 2008
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Jeremy P said
Check out starting p. 47 of this ATF list. There are VERY few 12-inchers there. That’s strike one for me….if the majority here think it’s real and it’s not on the list, the ATF can be petitioned to add it, but that’s a gamble IMO.
It’s only a gamble if the gun is not correct. I bought two Marlin 94s with 15″ barrels, one on Gun Broker and the other from auction house in CA. I asked the gent on GB if it was cleared, he said no, hold payment and he’ll send it into ATF, in 4-5 weeks he called and asked if I still wanted it as he got it back with letter clearing it, I sent payment and received it in a week. The same thing happened a few months later when another one is in an online auction, a big auction house and I assumed it was clear or they wouldn’t add it to the auction, “Don’t assume anything!” I was the high bidder and when I called to pay, they said they forgot to check it and it had not been cleared, they apologized and said they would send it to ATF that day on their dime, in four weeks got EM stating it came back with letter. All though both sellers messed up, putting them up without verification, both were very good, willing to take the hit if not cleared. Worked out for me, getting 2 trappers
March 6, 2011
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I didn’t think an estimate would be this difficult. I said “original, little finish, worn but very good wood gun”. Obviously the value of a gun like this is the rarity of the 12″ barrel. Whether it has 5, 10, or 15% finish is really not a major factor, the barrel length is what makes the gun valuable.
What is the highest number letterable 1892?
April 15, 2005
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wolfbait said
I didn’t think an estimate would be this difficult. I said “original, little finish, worn but very good wood gun”. Obviously the value of a gun like this is the rarity of the 12″ barrel. Whether it has 5, 10, or 15% finish is really not a major factor, the barrel length is what makes the gun valuable.
What is the highest number letterable 1892?
When you do not provide us with the requisite details, you should not expect any of us to provide a value estimate.
379999 is the last Model 1892 serial number that can be lettered.
Does this Trapper have a BATF clearance letter? If not, it is nearly worthless as it cannot be legally sold or transferred.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 6, 2011
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Does anyone have a reference of any that have sold. That would answer my question.
December 21, 2006
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Mr. Wolfbait, it’s kinda like Bert said , You can’t expect a reasonably accurate estimate of value without providing some details of the piece, but I will step out on a limb here and with the information You provided I would loosely place the value of that gun at between $1,000.00 – $50,000.00. Also the Seller could just send it to Me , I don’t need a B.A.T.F. clearance letter
.
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
March 14, 2022
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Rick C
April 30, 2023
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cj57 said
Jeremy P said
Check out starting p. 47 of this ATF list. There are VERY few 12-inchers there. That’s strike one for me….if the majority here think it’s real and it’s not on the list, the ATF can be petitioned to add it, but that’s a gamble IMO.
It’s only a gamble if the gun is not correct. I bought two Marlin 94s with 15″ barrels, one on Gun Broker and the other from auction house in CA. I asked the gent on GB if it was cleared, he said no, hold payment and he’ll send it into ATF, in 4-5 weeks he called and asked if I still wanted it as he got it back with letter clearing it, I sent payment and received it in a week. The same thing happened a few months later when another one is in an online auction, a big auction house and I assumed it was clear or they wouldn’t add it to the auction, “Don’t assume anything!” I was the high bidder and when I called to pay, they said they forgot to check it and it had not been cleared, they apologized and said they would send it to ATF that day on their dime, in four weeks got EM stating it came back with letter. All though both sellers messed up, putting them up without verification, both were very good, willing to take the hit if not cleared. Worked out for me, getting 2 trappers
Anything with the feds is a gamble, depends on the blowing winds of the day/administration. But to your point, having the seller do the verification would be a prerequisite for me to do such a deal.
March 6, 2011
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The picture of the gun in the RIA auction is how I described this gun. $75K. It would be interesting to see the bid history, to see if just 2 guys went crazy.
I have had a trapper cleared by ATF many years ago. It was easy then. I sent them pictures and a description and they made it a C&R.
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