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November 19, 2006
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Here is one that sold at Rock Island last weekend. I had been drooling over this rifle. What a fantastic piece! Auction estimate was $85,000 – $120,000. It sold for $69,000. I was pondering why it went low. What are the thoughts? Was the auction estimate unrealistic? Soft market explains it all? Or, was it that it was not an octagon barrel? I have always collected what I like. The fact that other collectors seem to prefer octagon barrels doesn’t make me not like round barrel rifles. How many of you would steer away from this rifle because it has a round barrel? How much value would you add were it an octagon barrel version?
https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/76/64/winchester-deluxe-second-model-1873-rifle-with-letter
March 20, 2009
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Steve,
Please edit to the correct link to the RIA rifle.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
May 2, 2009
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That was too much money for a gun with just nice case and wood but yes the round barrel does hurt it. I’m really surprised it when for that much. The second model aspect pushed it some.
https://www.rockislandauction.com/detail/76/64/winchester-deluxe-second-model-1873-rifle-with-letter
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
June 4, 2017
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Steve, That auction did not give Winchesters a strong showing in general. I think Rock Island over estimated the value of that gun, they can’t always be right. A round barrel was not as desirable as octagon when they were new and today collectors think the same way.T/R
November 19, 2006
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TR – thanks for the reply. By the way, I had missed the Rock Island thread – I did not see it until this morning. But I appreciate all the discussion and comments.
January 19, 2017
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TR said
A round barrel was not as desirable as octagon when they were new and today collectors think the same way.T/R
I used to think the attraction to Winchester lever guns was based on growing up with T.V. westerns and western movies. But when I think about it, most of the shows and movies I watched had round barrels and were carbines. So, when I hear people back in the day felt like I do now, it makes me think it is purely an aesthetic thing. To each his own, of course, but but a classic OBFMCB is a work of art. They just look good and that’s all there is to it, as far as I’m concerned. Hollywood aside, I think most small town museums I’ve been in have more of the OBFMCB rifles.
For the life of me, I can’t figure how future generations are ever going to sit back and admire black plastic assault rifles as a piece of art. Not my problem, I guess.
