Winchester Collector - Forum: Winchester Rifles

Rick C on Learning exercise: Winchester Model 1894 Rifle in .38-55 with compelling features

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:40:47 +0000

Tony, what do you think about the original subject rifles condition and configuration. Original?

Anthony on Learning exercise: Winchester Model 1894 Rifle in .38-55 with compelling features

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:51:01 +0000

As I read over these posts again, I have to agree with these comments and join in on the fact that it's more than I'd be willing to spend on it, and yes it seems these mid level Winchesters are getting pricier!

Tony

Henry Mero on Commemorative Winchesters, shoot them or not?

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:48:25 +0000

Most Winchester Commemoratives have the most value , #1- in the original pristine box and sleeve, "unopened" , from there , #2- opened unfired pristine no marks/corrosion with a nice box and paperwork, then #3- some handling wear and a well worn box. Once they've been fired, other than the factory, it changes the whole ball game as far as collectability and value, (to a serious Commemorative collector). Then there are a lot of extenuating factors involved, eg; which Commemorative We are speaking of. I would be willing to bet none of the 10 only R.C.M.P. presentation guns have been fired because of the value, now $30,000-$40,000.00 or more, but all 32 of the R.C.M.P. #MPX#'rd guns have been fired and still bring a huge price. A regular R.C.M.P. , in the box, in average condition brings about $2500+/- unfired and about $1200+/-, used, a big difference. A complete pridtine , Chief Crazy Horse, with matching stamps, knife, etc. would bring a very substantial $ value, $3500 - $4000, while the one being "used is a $1200 -$1500 gun. So 'ya , large difference. Pretty much the same can be said for the rest of the "normal" commemoratives, that is to say once they've been fired and the odd little mar, they go to about 1/2 the value of the unfired , unmarred gun. My thoughts and opinions only.

Anthony on Commemorative Winchesters, shoot them or not?

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:25:44 +0000

Zebulon said

King Medallion said
I have a Buffalo Bill 30-30 and a Chief Crazy Horse 38-55. I not only shoot them, I hunted with the CCH last year and got a nice 8 point and a fat doe with it.


Steve,
Very nice! That's what they're meant for.

I also am glad to see this. Any suggestions or comments pertaining to advice, or comparison to the earlier non commemorative Winchesters possibly helping out the OP, or any others thinking they would like to hunt with one?

Thanks for posting!

Tony

Zebulon on Commemorative Winchesters, shoot them or not?

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 11:59:50 +0000

King Medallion said
I have a Buffalo Bill 30-30 and a Chief Crazy Horse 38-55. I not only shoot them, I hunted with the CCH last year and got a nice 8 point and a fat doe with it.

Steve,

Very nice! That's what they're meant for.

Bert H. on RIA Winchester first M-1873

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 06:17:19 +0000

Here is another example in the Single Shot records. Serial number 80824 has at least (50) R&R entries, requiring an addendum page to list them all.

*** Image attachment removed from post content ***

Bert

1873man on RIA Winchester first M-1873

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 02:43:34 +0000

Here is another 73 carbine that was a display gun for Winchester with a full page letter and the ledger entry.

Bob

1873man on RIA Winchester first M-1873

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 02:29:11 +0000

I have seen the ledger entry and the letter is legit.

Bob

TXGunNut on Learning exercise: Winchester Model 1894 Rifle in .38-55 with compelling features

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 02:18:08 +0000

1892takedown said
The pricing on a lot of these guns in the last couple years has gone out of sight whether middle of the road or high condition. Ive lost interest being priced out of what I think is reasonable. Now a days it has to be something I really selectively want to consider buying.

Agreed, it's worth more than I'm willing to pay for it.

Mike

TXGunNut on RIA Winchester first M-1873

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 01:18:21 +0000

Personally I would do an inquiry with CFM if I was interested in this rifle. I wonder why there isn't a work order number. Jesi has seen bogus letters.

Mike

Bert H. on RIA Winchester first M-1873

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 22:58:02 +0000

1873man said
I have never seen a note added to the ledger like that in the 73's.
Bob

As I mentioned, it is very rare to find a ledger entry with an addendum page, but they certainly do exist.

Bert

Anthony on RIA Winchester first M-1873

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 22:47:53 +0000

Gentlemen,

I do find this interesting, as the addendum Bert is talking about, in the 1885 S S Ledgers make some sense to me, and that Bob stated the he hasn't seen this in the 1873 ledgers, is also an interesting point as these two fine models overlap each other and aren't that far apart in all actuality.

Tony

King Medallion on Commemorative Winchesters, shoot them or not?

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:24:46 +0000

I have a Buffalo Bill 30-30 and a Chief Crazy Horse 38-55. I not only shoot them, I hunted with the CCH last year and got a nice 8 point and a fat doe with it.

1873man on RIA Winchester first M-1873

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 20:16:11 +0000

I have never seen a note added to the ledger like that in the 73's.

Bob

Bert H. on RIA Winchester first M-1873

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 18:50:26 +0000

steve004 said

Bert H. said

steve004 said
There's an amazing amount of information on some of these letters - I'd love to see the actual ledger pages - fitting all this information on one line?!


Steve,
The added information was not actually written into the ledger record. Instead, a handwritten addendum page was added (inserted) in the ledger records. I have found at least (100) addendum pages in the Single Shot ledgers alone.
This is an example for Single Shot serial number 58620. Note that it was changed from a 40/90 St to a 32-40.

Bert


Thanks Bert! I had never heard of such a thing.

You are welcome.

I suspected as much, and I assumed that the vast majority of our forum regulars were also unaware... which is why I interjected with my post & pictures.

I will add that those inserted addendum pages are very infrequent. More than 99% of the entries simply list an "R&R" or "Ret & Rep" entry with a work order number.

Bert