Just noticed that Morphy has a rare 86 short rifle with a documented 21″ barrel, one of 5 made. Got me thinking, hmmmm, I saw one just like it not to far back. Did a little poking around and sure enough the same gun sold at RIA last September. sold with the juice for $8625. Morphy’s estimate is 6-8k. Not sure that current owner is going to make out on this one.
It probably didn’t sell at RIA
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 7, 2015

clarence said
oldcrankyyankee said Not sure that current owner is going to make out on this one.
Yes, so sad to think a speculator may take a loss; my heart aches.
The main reason I’m able to chase old Winchesters is because I’ve had some success investing/speculating. I’ve also lost a fair bit at times, it’s a risk we take.
Mike
1873man said
It probably didn’t sell at RIABob
It does show as being sold in the realized price list. But that doesn’t mean the the consignor didn’t up bid it because it wasn’t going for what he wanted, not the first time I have seen that happen. Happens alot in the heavy equipment actions. Just gives the action house the money they want and makes the balance sheet look better for advertising purposes, WooHoo!!! We sold this much stuff they can say even when the items never change hands.
Here’s a link to the RIA auction:
This is #57421, 40-82 21 inch (past sale):
The upcoming Morphy auction link:
I thought somewhere, I had spotted #58590 that was another 21 inch .40-82. I think it was a past sale from a big auction house, but now I can’t find it. Anyone else see it?
Given the condition, I’m skeptical it’s worth the estimate. I suppose the lower end of the estimate might be reasonable. Of course, given it’s a big house auction with deep pocket bidders, anything can happen. For me, an item selling higher at a big house auction (or a gunbroker auction) does not establish what something is worth.
I get it that this is certainly a rare rifle with a 21” barrel length. But, the condition isn’t there.
I wouldn’t want to be into this one any more than 5k, and even that might be a stretch. 5k means at my doorstep, including any buyer’s premium, sales tax, and shipping. Even that might be a stretch.
mrcvs said
I get it that this is certainly a rare rifle with a 21” barrel length. But, the condition isn’t there.I wouldn’t want to be into this one any more than 5k, and even that might be a stretch. 5k means at my doorstep, including any buyer’s premium, sales tax, and shipping. Even that might be a stretch.
Couldn’t agree more. simply put we have just identified three of these 21″ short rifles known to be in existence.
And further on the topic of .40-82 caliber 21 inch short rifles, Madis has another one in The Winchester Book. This is on page 329 in my edition but I understand it is on page 288 in a different edition. This rifle was from the Frank Barrigan collection and has a round barrel with full magazine. Other features included the Lyman No. 21 receiver sight, swivel eyelets, and pistol grip stock with SGB. In George’s description below the rifle, he doesn’t state the chambering nor does he state it had a heavy barrel. However, I am familiar with this rifle and lusted after it plenty in 1984. A dealer I knew in eastern North Dakota had it. It was indeed in .40-82 and it had a heavy barrel (measuring 7/8th inch across the muzzle). $2250 was the price. Doesn’t seem like much now!
Interestingly, he also had another .40-82 short rifle. This one had a 22 inch full round barrel, full magazine, pistol grip stock, shotgun butt and what really got me revved up was the fact that it has an even heavier barrel (one inch across the muzzle) along with a saddle ring. The price? $2250.
Also in this small collection he purchased, there was a 36 inch barreled rifle, a line through gun, and a deluxe .38-56 short rifle (24 inch half octagon barrel) , tang sight with windage and elevation, spirit level in read sight slot, factory swivels and a Cody letter with the following notation: “Shipped with Deluxe buttstock.” It a in very nice shape with a whole lot of finish. The price? $1500.
Sigh.
steve004 said
Here’s a link to the RIA auction:This is #57421, 40-82 21 inch (past sale):
The upcoming Morphy auction link:
I thought somewhere, I had spotted #58590 that was another 21 inch .40-82. I think it was a past sale from a big auction house, but now I can’t find it. Anyone else see it?
steve004 said
Here’s a link to the RIA auction:This is #57421, 40-82 21 inch (past sale):
The upcoming Morphy auction link:
I thought somewhere, I had spotted #58590 that was another 21 inch .40-82. I think it was a past sale from a big auction house, but now I can’t find it. Anyone else see it?
Here is #58590:
https://auctions.morphyauctions.com/LotDetail.aspx?inventoryid=512250
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