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I’m thinking about selling my 38-55 carbine, yet again, and I would appreciate the opinions of the experts on this forum as to what dollar range the piece might bring on the market, GB or otherwise. The front sight and tang sight are not original to the rifle, but were on it when I bought it from an antique dealer friend of mine. There is a slight loss oil finish on the forward left side of the forearm where some solvent spilled on it, (see picture), so some needs to be hand rubbed back in. This is a classic example of a very nice carbine that was used, probably not very much, that shows the flaked receiver problem with a great deal of quality blue remaining on the barrel and magazine. The screw heads are mostly all in excellent condition. The bore is excellent and the action cycles smoothly. I have never fired it. The Serial Number is 1012233 (1927). Barrel date is 27.
My thanks to any and all who might give their dollar range estimate of value based on the appraisal of the above information and the pictures as shown below.
James
Added: 2 pictures at the top
I’m not qualified to give you an appraisal but: in my opinion carbines have no business having peep sights on them. They were not designed for long range shooting but for portability and quick shots. Removing the tang sight would actually improve the value (to me) if it weren’t for that aberration of a front sight. Can’t tell from the photos if it has been welded/soldered on or if there is a screw under the adjustable front sight, which would mean that the barrel has been tapped at it’s thinnest part. Either way, the front sight ruins the value of the otherwise beautiful carbine in a most desirable caliber.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
Thank you very much for your comments. The front sight is a King triple bead that is pinned in. I have a front sight blade that a friend of mine from East Texas sent to me, somewhere!
James
I wouldn’t change the front sight or the peep. Someone put them on because the he liked them and they worked for the purpose intended. In this area, you will find a number of old carbines of various models and calibers with tang sights. I have a .38-55 carbine in the same serial range. My gun might have 15% more finish on the receiver and it also has factory installed sling eyes. I shoot it a lot, so I have no intention of selling it, but in today’s market, I would think it should bring around $3000.
I have a 38-55 with a half magazine, no saddle ring, #1052408. Interestingly the barrel on it is dated 1920. The receiver is mostly gray and the barrel blueing is like new. I paid $2000 for it. I’d like to find another like it in 32-40.
Win4575: I agree with you about not changing out the sights, and if a new owner wants to do that, it is easily done. I have another 94 SRC in overall excellent condition that has three special order sights, all more likely than not factory done. The receiver sight on it is the climbin’ Lyman. What I like about the King triple bead sight (or Morning, Noon, Night sight as some folks say), is that it is spring loaded and changing beads is easily done by turning the top bead left or right as the new one snaps into place. Thank you very much for the estimate you have given to me as well.
jschaal: Thanks for the response! I am adding a link to a 94 like yours, except this one has a saddle ring on it, and it is in 32-40 caliber. http://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-rifles-model-1894-pre-64/winchester-1894-src-32-40-special-order.cfm?gun_id=100771836
I’m still hoping that other knowledgeable members or guests will appraise the subject 94 for me and post up their estimate. Hopefully, Bert will add his estimate too.
James
The sights don’t bother me a bit.
If that came up at auction near me, I would have no problem in the 2800 range.
Gregory said
The sights don’t bother me a bit.If that came up at auction near me, I would have no problem in the 2800 range.
Thank you, Gregory!
I have a .32-40 carbine dating from 1915 with a full magazine and shotgun butt. I might consider selling it. Email me if interested. I could then send photographs.
Just a word about a tang peep sight on a SRC …. when a fellow is 62 years old like me, he cannot get a sharp focus on that front sight anymore. The lower the light, the worse it gets. Things weren’t any different in the early 1900’s. I is perfectly understandable to put a tang peep sight on a SRC if the owner is an old fellow and still want to accurately hit what he is shooting at.
I have recently been to several shows in the Florida area, and as primarily a Mod. 94 collector, I am always on the lookout for fine old 94,s., especially s.r.c.,s. Collectors usually want condition and will usually pay a premium for that. I have seen a really nice 38-55 s.r.c. go for $8,600.00, but that diminishes rapidly with the loss of finish or alterations. I sold a 38-55 a while back that was in the 98% condition area , it had (I think was a blood spatter on the right side of the receiver), but otherwise a totally unmarred s.r.c.. I sold it for $3500.00. I have a 38-55 s.r.c. with the Aug.14 pat. date that is in exc. orig. cond with about 40%receiver finish and no other marks or bruises that I would sell in the same $3,500.00 range. I don,t know what that does to the value of Your gun, but it would have to be fairly nice in order to get $3,000.00 + from a collector, in My humble opinion. Good luck, Harry
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
Henry Mero said
I have recently been to several shows in the Florida area, and as primarily a Mod. 94 collector, I am always on the lookout for fine old 94,s., especially s.r.c.,s. Collectors usually want condition and will usually pay a premium for that. I have seen a really nice 38-55 s.r.c. go for $8,600.00, but that diminishes rapidly with the loss of finish or alterations. I sold a 38-55 a while back that was in the 98% condition area , it had (I think was a blood spatter on the right side of the receiver), but otherwise a totally unmarred s.r.c.. I sold it for $3500.00. I have a 38-55 s.r.c. with the Aug.14 pat. date that is in exc. orig. cond with about 40%receiver finish and no other marks or bruises that I would sell in the same $3,500.00 range. I don,t know what that does to the value of Your gun, but it would have to be fairly nice in order to get $3,000.00 + from a collector, in My humble opinion. Good luck, Harry
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