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Greetings from north of the Line! I am assisting in the disposal of an estate and would appreciate opinions as to the value of this rifle. It is in very good original condition, by which I mean that it does not appear to have ever been refinished or over-cleaned and has been well-maintained. The bore shows light pitting throughout: a dull surface, but the rifling is very square and sharp all the way through. I am not a stranger to firearms, but I know very little about Winchesters, which is why I came here. Your comments and opinions would be appreciated. Sorry the photos are so dark.
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April 15, 2005
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What caliber is it? What is the serial number?
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
April 15, 2005
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The serial number you mention was not originally a 30 WCF.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
I cleared up one of the photos and can see another number at the end of what he has given but can’t make it out.
March 20, 2009
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Hello,
It is definitely a 5 digit serial number in the 29,94x range which makes it a 1897 vintage rifle and would therefore have a real good chance of being an original 30 WCF caliber.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
March 20, 2010
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From what I can see in the photos (could not see the left side of the receiver to see if it was unmolested) the rifle should bring about $800- $950 fairly easily–if you have a preference for round barrels. The wood looks to be in good condition, sharp edges on the forearm, decent finish on the metal, with special order 3 leaf express sight (from the photos it appears to be original to the rifle). If the bore is exceptional it may bring just a little more. Others may place its value lower, or higher.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
Thank you for those comments. I omitted the final digit from the serial number. I can provide it if it would make a difference to the valuation.
December 30, 2011
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For me it’s really hard to tell what I personally would pay without having the gun in hand. Adding a clear picture of the top of the barrel where it meets the receiver, and any markings there, would be good. Looks like there aren’t any extra, which is good in this case.
If it is in original configuration and also being an antique you have a desirable gun to a lot of people, regardless that it’s .30WCF, in my opinion. It might look a lot better (or not) in different lighting. There are a lot of guns with bores in worse condition than that. That bore looks very shootable to me.
If that serial number turns out to not match up as being .30WCF for some reason, as Bert suggested, then that might be another story.
Brad
April 15, 2005
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I was under the impression that it was a 4-digit serial number in light of the fact that Fort Steele stated it was an 1895 vintage rifle, and posted just four numbers.
If the serial number is 29,94x, it most likely is original as a 30 WCF., as it was manufactured in late 1897 versus early 1895.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
December 31, 2012
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Whats with the XXX’s? We have nothing to hide on this forum, or do we? Big Larry
April 15, 2005
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Big Larry said
Whats with the XXX’s? We have nothing to hide on this forum, or do we? Big Larry
Larry, et al.,
No, we do not have anything to hide.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
March 20, 2009
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Big Larry, Bert,
I think there are some guys out there that just like "XXX"
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
April 15, 2005
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twobit said
Big Larry, Bert,I think there are some guys out there that just like "XXX"
Michael
Michael,
I too like "XXX"… when I find it stamped on the left side of the lower tang 8)
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
The last digit is 8.
1892Takedown and Hedley Lamarr, I thank you for your replies.
November 17, 2012
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FortSteele:
It does look like you have a early serial numbered 1894. It is very diff
acult to decide a value as there are numerous factors as to be considered.
I agree with Hedley as it is almost impossible to examine any fire-arm
from pictures. Your gun appears to be correct and to look very honest
as it should for its age. The 30WCF surely became the most common of
all the calibers offered in the Model 1894. As to when that happened it
is not real clear because it seems the new Smokeless Powder was not
an overnite success but it surely one out.At any rate the 30 WCF 1894’s
with an early serial number dont show up that often anymore. As to the
30WCF that is where my interest lies in the 1894’s because it was a
Winchester developed cartridge opposed to the 32-40 and the 38-55,
which the 1894 was introduced in . The early serial number doesn’t seem
to add much value to your gun but they are getting harder to find. I
belive that you should be able to get around $1500. for your gun if you
find the right buyer.
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