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Greetings everyone. Just came over from the Colt Forum. First post from Bozeman, MT, just joined today. Looking at a 1873 shipped in 1893. General question, is there a premium for being antique vs post 1900? Also what is the premium for a 26” octagon barrel? The gun does have a Cody letter. Do the 1873’s bring more money in general vs the 1892’s?
Thanks for your input.
Rick,
Yes, Antique 1898 and before are worth more because of lack of regulations in selling and shipping and the first models can be worth more yet and the early first models can jump up in price more yet . A 26″ 73 will not bring a premium, its not until you get to 32″ that the value has a marked increase. A octagon barrel will bring more than a round barrel. A 73 will generally bring more than a than a 92. In all Winchesters the larger the bore the more its worth.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
1873man said
Rick,Yes, Antique 1898 and before are worth more because of lack of regulations in selling and shipping and the first models can be worth more yet and the early first models can jump up in price more yet . A 26″ 73 will not bring a premium, its not until you get to 32″ that the value has a marked increase. A octagon barrel will bring more than a round barrel. A 73 will generally bring more than a than a 92. In all Winchesters the larger the bore the more its worth.
Bob
What about the discoloration in the metal around the front sight? How can you tell if the barrel had been lined? This does have a letter confirming configuration. I had trouble trying replying in the forum, what do I do to reply to a post?Thanks so much for your input, I really appreciate it.
Rick,
To reply there is a box below the last post on the right hand side “Add Reply” this opens a window to type your reply or you can click on the little quote mark ” on the top right of any post and it will put a copy of that post in the reply box. The curser will be below the quoted text in the white and you type a reply to that quote.
The discoloration could just be the barrel didn’t get wiped or cleaned very much around the front sight and is a build up of dried oils and dirt.
A lined barrel my have a visible ring around the muzzle end or the chamber end. The cheap liners just glue a liner in the original barrel and you can’t get rid of the ring. A good liner will weld it at both ends and age it and you can’t see it.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
I can not sit idle while others give false information based on there own personal opinions. The fact is there has been premiums paid for 26 inch barrels on 1873 guns. depending on the gun and the persons situation in purchasing I have seen numerous auction sales, gun shows and personal transactions where a 26 inch barrel sold for more than the standard 24 inch! and why wouldn’t it, after all its a special order extra length.
Jeremy Scott.
WACA LIFE MEMBER, CFM MEMBER, ABKA MEMBER, JSSC MEMBER, MNO HISTORIAN
From what I seen any barrel length variation will bring a premium over an identical standard length. How large or small is variable depending on the desirability of the length (and other features, ie. button mag, Deluxe etc) and the potential buyer demand. Could be as little as $100 or much higher. A guy filling a hole in his barrel length collection may pay more than a guy just looking to flip for a quick buck. If it didn’t bring a premium it would never be mentioned when trying to sell. I would rank in desirability (My own opinion and won’t judge anyone for theirs) 36,34,32,18,14,30,16,20,and 22″ .
Antique trumps modern for desirability
1873 trumps 1892 assuming equal condition.
I once owned a 73 with a 26″ barrel. I did not have to pay more and I didn’t get more when I sold it. I liked the extra length though. Some may pay more and some won’t. The really long barrels bring the money.
An 1873 in 32-20 26″ barrel will not be worth much more than a 24″ barrel. The 32-20 is the least popular of the calibers and it does not have the cleaning rods in the butt.
I have never been one to use a gun value book. I look at the whole gun, model, caliber, the rarity of features, and condition. Book percentage of blue mean little if the non-finish area is rust. A clean original finish is worth a premium. Rare is worth a premium. Two inches of extra barrel length on a standard 73 rifle is not that rare feature collectors look for. T/R
Is a barrel that is two inches longer worth more? According to internet auction sellers and auction house description writers – absolutely! Of course these guys will hype any possible angle. Many fall for the hype – particularly newer collectors. The hype slowly becomes reality. I’ve progressively noticed that my reality is not the same reality of many of the people buying collectible firearms these days.
Thanks Steve for a realiistic summery of the subject. “The hype slowly becomes reality.” Doesn’t work on me either. Well said. T/R
TR said
Thanks Steve for a realiistic summery of the subject. “The hype slowly becomes reality.” Doesn’t work on me either. Well said. T/R
Thanks everyone. I am moving forward with the purchase at $2,500. The wood looks great as well as the bore. See pictures above on post 4. I don’t have gun yet but do have 3 day inspection. I hope I did not overpay..
Rick Vidrio said
TR said
Thanks Steve for a realiistic summery of the subject. “The hype slowly becomes reality.” Doesn’t work on me either. Well said. T/R
Thanks everyone. I am moving forward with the purchase at $2,500. The wood looks great as well as the bore. See pictures above on post 4. I don’t have gun yet but do have 3 day inspection. I hope I did not overpay..
If need be, you can always fall back on the old adage about how you never pay too much for a gun, you just bought it a bit early.
By the way, did you pick up that Colt Lightning rifle as well?
steve004 said
Rick Vidrio said
TR said
Thanks Steve for a realiistic summery of the subject. “The hype slowly becomes reality.” Doesn’t work on me either. Well said. T/R
Thanks everyone. I am moving forward with the purchase at $2,500. The wood looks great as well as the bore. See pictures above on post 4. I don’t have gun yet but do have 3 day inspection. I hope I did not overpay..
If need be, you can always fall back on the old adage about how you never pay too much for a gun, you just bought it a bit early.
By the way, did you pick up that Colt Lightning rifle as well?
Still looking at it. I assume that the 1873 in 32-20 is safe to shoot with smokeless.
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