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I’m fairly new at Winchester collecting and I’m curious as to why both antique model 92’s and 44-40’s in general command a 75-100% price premium over the other calibers. any information regarding this would be appreciated, thanks
The bigger the bore, the bigger the price tag, and this holds true for nearly all of the various Winchester rifle models;
1873 – 44 WCF
1876 – 50-95 Express
1885 – 50-110 EX
1886 – 50-110 EX
1892 – 44 WCF
1894 – 38-55
1895 – 405 WCF
In all cases, and with all other features being identical, the larger calibers bring more $$$ than the smaller calibers. The old saying "bigger is better" holds true with old Winchesters.
Bert H.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
gastrap,
There is no intrinsic reason for the price premium. It is certainly not because of rarity in the case of the 1892’s unlike some of the Models in Bert’s list. There are LOTS of 44 WCF Model 1892 rifles out there. It just comes down to what people are willing to pay. For some reason, some guys think they are worth more and are willing to pay more for them.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
At any one given gun show, the 44 M1892’s seem to be very scarce and most you find are grey beaters with large price tags. I don’t see where they are plentiful at all. M1894’s are plentiful. Big Larry
I have to agree with Big Larry. I’ve been trying to find a 44-40 M92 SRC with a nice bore for my SRC collection. No luck. most everything on the net is grey, rusted nasty bore and crappy wood. I had little difficulty finding 32-20’s 25-20’s and a nice eastern 38-40 carbine with no ring. I was able to find two round barrel rifles in 44-40 with very nice bores, but at 2500.00 and 3000.00 respectively. They either didn’t make large quantities of 44-40’s or they were all just rode hard and put away wet.
Keep in mind that a relatively large number of Model 1892s were exported all over the world. Many tens of thousands of them went to Australia, South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, etc.), Europe, Mexico, Canada, etc. The Model 1894 was not as popular outside of the U.S. as the Model 1892 was.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
Keep in mind that a relatively large number of Model 1892s were exported all over the world. Many tens of thousands of them went to Australia, South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile, etc.), Europe, Mexico, Canada, etc. The Model 1894 was not as popular outside of the U.S. as the Model 1892 was.Bert
Just speaking for Canada, there are a heck of a lot more 1894s up here than 1892s. Trying to find an 1892 up here is a real chore, and when you do, they are usually not in high condition. If I was trying to collect high condition 1892s up here, I would have lots more money left in my pocket and a collection of one or two rifles. That is part of the reason I went with the Model 94, that and the nice lines, look and variations of the rifle. I would hazard to say that the vast majority of guns that came to Canada were "work guns", bought to put meat on the table. There was more money and appetite South of the border for the special order and fancy rifles. Don’t get me wrong, there are some nice Winchesters up here, but my oh my, you have to look long and hard to find them.
Matt
Bert brings up a very interesting point about the 92 being exported around
the world. With that being said I just wonder how many clones of the 92
have been imported into the U.S. Spain was very fond of the 92 in 44 WCF
that Anitua Garate manufactured the Tigre in the 44WCF I think they
called it 44 Largo? in numbers near 1.5 million. beginning in the early
1900’s and their is no telling at the numbers of model 92 clones that have
made it to the US by various companies abroad and their still coming.
Winchester as well as Colt ceased production of the two most famous guns
of the entire Holly Wood Western era that really took off in the early 50’s
but their were plenty of companies ready to fill the need. So just because
you see a model 92 or a Colt Single Action it may not be the real deal?
John Browning sure left his mark in the fire-arms industry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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