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Hello and good morning. I haven’t been on here for a number of years but joined again last night. I see that there are some familiar names that are still hanging around. Good to know as they are always helpful with info. I still have some old Winchesters around and enjoy them.
I am wondering what the market for the older Winchester rifles is like compared to 10 years ago. I know that’s a pretty vague question, but hopefully someone can chime in and give me an idea. I have an old Red Book, 2nd edition and was wondering if those values are anywhere close.
Any help would be appreciated, Eagle
PS: Best person to talk to on the value of a 1886
Hi Eagle,
Welcome Back!
I can only speak for the Winchester .22’s but the values for them have gone up considerably. The 4th edition of the Red Book is the most current however for .22’s the values have already been significantly exceeded since it was published a few years ago.
I will let the knowledgeable centerfire gurus chime-in on those models as I could not afford them then (or now).
Best Regards,
WACA Life Member #6284 - Specializing in Pre-64 Winchester .22 Rimfire
November 7, 2015
Offline
Welcome back! I have very little knowledge of the Winchester collector market of 10 years ago but the last few years have been pretty interesting. From what I’ve seen the high end makes no sense to most collectors but it is being driven by a few folks with deep pockets and shallow knowledge. I agree with Jeff on his assessment of the rimfire market but I have been fortunate to score a few nice ones recently from sellers who didn’t get the memo. I have sold a few centerfire rifles in the last few years and have had some difficulty finding buyers for some of the more common models, especially those in less than 80% condition.
Are you looking to buy or sell an 1886? I have no useful input other than an observation that the market seems very strong for the nicer models.
Mike
I think 09 was the high value mark so if you were in it threw the drop. The prices have come back to 09 with high condition guns going crazy at big auctions. In 09 I could buy nice stuff at RIA and think it would be worth what I paid in the not to distant future. Not now. Shooters and common guns are still valued the same as 2013. T/R
JWA said
Hi Eagle,Welcome Back!
I can only speak for the Winchester .22’s but the values for them have gone up considerably. The 4th edition of the Red Book is the most current however for .22’s the values have already been significantly exceeded since it was published a few years ago.
I will let the knowledgeable centerfire gurus chime-in on those models as I could not afford them then (or now).
Best Regards,
Hey JWA good to hear from you and glad you’re still collecting Winchesters.
TXGunNut said
Welcome back! I have very little knowledge of the Winchester collector market of 10 years ago but the last few years have been pretty interesting. From what I’ve seen the high end makes no sense to most collectors but it is being driven by a few folks with deep pockets and shallow knowledge. I agree with Jeff on his assessment of the rimfire market but I have been fortunate to score a few nice ones recently from sellers who didn’t get the memo. I have sold a few centerfire rifles in the last few years and have had some difficulty finding buyers for some of the more common models, especially those in less than 80% condition.Are you looking to buy or sell an 1886? I have no useful input other than an observation that the market seems very strong for the nicer models.
Mike
Thanks for the reply Mike. The guy who wanted to sell the ’86 has backed off for a while. I would not call the gun high end probably, but to me, it is very collectable because it is original, great bore, good wood to metal, and not banged or beat up. It would clean up very nicely.
TR said
I think 09 was the high value mark so if you were in it threw the drop. The prices have come back to 09 with high condition guns going crazy at big auctions. In 09 I could buy nice stuff at RIA and think it would be worth what I paid in the not to distant future. Not now. Shooters and common guns are still valued the same as 2013. T/R
Thanks for the reply TR. I can see high end guns going for a lot. They almost always do. I have some pretty nice guns IMO but never been able to afford (or maybe want to afford) high end guns. Maybe you or someone help me with what a high end gun is using this 1886 I mentioned above. What does it have to have to be called high end if I can ask? Presently it has:
standard wood stocks with no cracks, breaks, gouges or any refinishing that I can see, octagon barrel, case color, std sights, excellent bore, good wood to metal etc. I guess there would be a certain % of original for it to be a high end gun. Help with that appreciated. Eagle
Eagle,
I used the term high condition guns. Meaning bright shinny original finish, the one’s that RIA sells on their premier auctions for big bucks. Just their condition makes them rare, as long as they are original. The collectors with deep pockets appreciate the rarity of condition.
I collect original honest guns, they don’t have to be minty, but all finish and it’s wear has to be from normal use, not abuse. I consider abuse sanded wood, cold blue, rust, or parts that don’t match. When I get tired of a honest gun I can put it on the table with the letter and no explaining flaws, just talking price. T/R
TR said
I collect original honest guns, they don’t have to be minty, but all finish and it’s wear has to be from normal use, not abuse. I consider abuse sanded wood, cold blue, rust, or parts that don’t match. When I get tired of a honest gun I can put it on the table with the letter and no explaining flaws, just talking price. T/R
Always has been my strong preference, too; the mania for “like new” guns I’ve never understood. The folks who have to have them, paying big bucks for the privilege, & then get stung when they buy faked guns, have no one to blame but themselves.
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