Finally gotten an 1895|Page 2|Winchester Rifles|Forum|Winchester Collector

In this case I think the British proofs certainly add interest to this rifle, I suppose the effect on value would vary with the buyer. I think it suggests this rifle has been on hunts in interesting places. 

Mike

TXGunNut said
In this case I think the British proofs certainly add interest to this rifle, I suppose the effect on value would vary with the buyer. I think it suggests this rifle has been on hunts in interesting places. 
 
Mike
  

I totally agree.  I think it depends a lot on the model.  For instance, the 1873 and 1876 were considered wild west / frontier models. British proofs on those detract to most collectors.  But not the model 1895 in my opinion.  The model 1895 was too late to tame the wild west.  Thanks to Teddy Roosevelt, the model 1895, especially in .405, has that allure of a dangerous game / safari gun taken on hunts that most hunters can only dream about.  To have one that is proofed to have traveled abroad on such hunts is pretty special and adds value in my book.

Don

Burt Humphrey said

mrcvs said

deerhunter said

mrcvs said

deerhunter said

John Lindly said
Don
that is the one.  I always wanted one so I decided to just go for it given the condition and price.  It’s better than it looks in the photos.  Thank you for the reply.
John
  

It’s a dandy for sure.  In my opinion, it could have gone for another $2K than what you paid.  “Don’t shoot your eye out!”
Don
  

I don’t know, that seems like a lot.  $6200+???
I bid on it when it was offered for sale at Amoskeag but thought it was a bit high at $3267.
https://live.amoskeagauction.com/lot-details/index/catalog/131/lot/97816/Winchester-Model-1895-Lever-Action-Rifle
This rifle came out of Goshen, Connecticut, owned quite some time by a friend, Chris Marino of Autumn Gun Works.
is there, or will there be, a letter to post?
  

In my opinion, the $3,267 price was an absolute steal for a .405 in this condition.  I know Merz is a bit high on everything, but have you priced the nice 1895’s lately, especially the .405?  It seems that ever since Brad Dunbar and Rob Kassab’s 1895 book was published, it sparked new collector interest and has driven up prices.  Here’s what Leroy has to offer–less condition and more money, although one is a takedown.
https://www.merzantiques.com/product/w4012-winchester-1895-rifle-in-desirable-caliber-405-wcf-m/
https://www.merzantiques.com/product/96825/
https://www.merzantiques.com/product/101403/
https://www.merzantiques.com/product/w3842-winchester-model-1895-take-down-rifle-in-caliber-405-m/
Don
  

Had I known that, I would have bid higher.  Winchesters, in general, have softened since the Election of 2024, but perhaps not a Winchester 1895 in .405?
The only reason I didn’t go higher was because of condition—while very good, I was hoping for more bluing on the receiver.
Tye problem with comparing to retail prices is sometimes it’s only Leroy Merz to compare with and he’s often high retail and not reality.
  

Don – you may be correct about the 1895 book creating some interest. I always found the 95 to be hard to find with condition and they were just plain hard to sell – even the .35 and .405. For example, I paid $3750 for this one at a Vegas gun show and lots of guys looked at it and passed before I bought it. I knew I paid too much but I liked it and figured time was on my side – and I was right. 

  

Indeed Burt.  You did not pay too much for that rifle!

John Lindly said

steve004 said

Burt Humphrey said

mrcvs said

deerhunter said

mrcvs said

deerhunter said

John Lindly said
Don
that is the one.  I always wanted one so I decided to just go for it given the condition and price.  It’s better than it looks in the photos.  Thank you for the reply.
John
  

It’s a dandy for sure.  In my opinion, it could have gone for another $2K than what you paid.  “Don’t shoot your eye out!”
Don
  

I don’t know, that seems like a lot.  $6200+???
I bid on it when it was offered for sale at Amoskeag but thought it was a bit high at $3267.
https://live.amoskeagauction.com/lot-details/index/catalog/131/lot/97816/Winchester-Model-1895-Lever-Action-Rifle
This rifle came out of Goshen, Connecticut, owned quite some time by a friend, Chris Marino of Autumn Gun Works.
is there, or will there be, a letter to post?
  

In my opinion, the $3,267 price was an absolute steal for a .405 in this condition.  I know Merz is a bit high on everything, but have you priced the nice 1895’s lately, especially the .405?  It seems that ever since Brad Dunbar and Rob Kassab’s 1895 book was published, it sparked new collector interest and has driven up prices.  Here’s what Leroy has to offer–less condition and more money, although one is a takedown.
https://www.merzantiques.com/product/w4012-winchester-1895-rifle-in-desirable-caliber-405-wcf-m/
https://www.merzantiques.com/product/96825/
https://www.merzantiques.com/product/101403/
https://www.merzantiques.com/product/w3842-winchester-model-1895-take-down-rifle-in-caliber-405-m/
Don
  

Had I known that, I would have bid higher.  Winchesters, in general, have softened since the Election of 2024, but perhaps not a Winchester 1895 in .405?
The only reason I didn’t go higher was because of condition—while very good, I was hoping for more bluing on the receiver.
Tye problem with comparing to retail prices is sometimes it’s only Leroy Merz to compare with and he’s often high retail and not reality.
  

Don – you may be correct about the 1895 book creating some interest. I always found the 95 to be hard to find with condition and they were just plain hard to sell – even the .35 and .405. For example, I paid $3750 for this one at a Vegas gun show and lots of guys looked at it and passed before I bought it. I knew I paid too much but I liked it and figured time was on my side – and I was right. 
  

Indeed Burt.  You did not pay too much for that rifle!
  

Agreed!  Beautiful rifle!
if I could just find a copy of the 1895 Book for less than the price of a good used gun, I’d die happy.  $550?!?  I need opinions as to whether you all think it is worth it. Also, I’m on the lookout for a decent 1895 carbine in 30 US now.  Addiction is a wonderful thing.
John
  

The book is excellent and worth it, but at what price?

I got mine for $150 or so off of this forum, I asked politely if someone would sell one at a fair price, someone responded, another member responded they would take it while I stupidly tried to get it for less, and another member PMed me and offered it to me at the sane price as the other one.

To Rob Kassab:  WE DESPERATELY NEED A REPRINT!!!

As to the price of books, a seller posts a price of $550 on eBay and everyone else thinks theirs is worth that as well.  Maybe someone buys one at that inflated price because they are desperate enough.  Or maybe none sell at $550.  So, what are they really worth?

I’m not sure why a book for enhancement of knowledge has to be so much, especially when they weren’t that expensive when printed???