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June 26, 2013
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Sure it’s a super nice rifle, but I’m scratching my head as to why the selling price is so high. It’s not even an “antique” although it is advertised as such. Personally, I would go for a full-blown deluxe in the same condition for that kind of $$$$$. Am I missing something??
Don
April 15, 2005
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Don,
I agree with you… too much $$$$$ for that rifle. That stated, the plain non checkered pistol grip stock is a lot rarer than the one with 3X H-pattern checkered stocks.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Does seem like something’s odd about that price.
December 1, 2012
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Maybe the price simply reflects a couple of bidders with deep pockets who got caught up in the heat of bidding. Happens all the time in poker. 
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
May 24, 2012
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Looks too pristine to me – like it’s been professionally cleaned…or maybe restored to some extent Why does the sight have so much wear to it as compared to the rest of the rifle? It is a beauty, though.
James
March 21, 2016
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That’s A LOT in my opinion. Auctions can bring inflated prices, but then can go the other way as well.
Makes them interesting.
Winchester Model 1873 44-40 circa 1886
November 1, 2013
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Kevin Jones said
…then can go the other way as well.
Maybe, but not once when I’ve been bidding.
December 1, 2012
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clarence said
Maybe, but not once when I’ve been bidding.
Remind me not to bid against you….we’ll both save some moola.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
November 1, 2013
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Wincacher said
Remind me not to bid against you….we’ll both save some moola.
Don’t worry–to preserve my 100% failure score, I retired from competition.
March 6, 2011
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deerhunter said
Sure it’s a super nice rifle, but I’m scratching my head as to why the selling price is so high. It’s not even an “antique” although it is advertised as such. Personally, I would go for a full-blown deluxe in the same condition for that kind of $$$$$. Am I missing something??Don
I was curious about the “antique” status myself. I contacted RIA by email, discussed the Madis/polishing room number issue, and got this email reply “Thank you for your message. I would like to let you know that items considered to be Antique (manufactured before 1899) can be shipped to the address of your choice. Items that are Curio & Relic (manufactured between 1899 & 1967) or Modern (manufactured after 1967) must be shipped to a licensed dealer. The lot in question, Lot 24: a Winchester Model 1894 Semi-Deluxe Lever Action Rifle, sold in our September 8th-10th Premiere Auction was manufactured before 1899 and we can ship items such as these to the address of your choice.” On a phone call follow up I was told by RIA, the #1 firearms auction house in the world, that they use the Winchester numbers that they have confirmed are approved by ATF.
April 15, 2005
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wolfbait said
I was curious about the “antique” status myself. I contacted RIA by email, discussed the Madis/polishing room number issue, and got this email reply “Thank you for your message. I would like to let you know that items considered to be Antique (manufactured before 1899) can be shipped to the address of your choice. Items that are Curio & Relic (manufactured between 1899 & 1967) or Modern (manufactured after 1967) must be shipped to a licensed dealer. The lot in question, Lot 24: a Winchester Model 1894 Semi-Deluxe Lever Action Rifle, sold in our September 8th-10th Premiere Auction was manufactured before 1899 and we can ship items such as these to the address of your choice.” On a phone follow up I was told that they use the Winchester numbers that they have confirmed are approved by ATF.
Read and state this to yourself at least several times … “Two wrongs do not make a right” !
Again, and specifically for your benefit… the WACA supports the correct antique serial numbers as provided by the CFM and contained in the original Winchester records. You have stated your position on this subject repeatedly, and have beaten the horse to death several times over. I am done with it, and so are you on this forum. As of this post, this subject is verboten.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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jwm94 said
Looks too pristine to me – like it’s been professionally cleaned…or maybe restored to some extent Why does the sight have so much wear to it as compared to the rest of the rifle? It is a beauty, though.James
I noticed that sight as well, at the very least it was possibly swapped off another rifle.
Mike
December 1, 2012
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TXGunNut said
I noticed that sight as well, at the very least it was possibly swapped off another rifle.
Mike
The letter doesn’t mention anything about the sights, so one has to assume that they were originally standard Winchester sights for that model. Aside from the fact that the rear sight is a replacement from a more worn specimen, the 3 sighting marks on the “50” “1” and “2” don’t align, as though the rear end pivot of the sight is somewhat bent.
"This is the West, sir. When the legend becomes fact, print the legend."
March 20, 2010
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In my opinion parts of that gun have been refinished. The CCH on the lever is all blue and brown. The polishing marks (bevel) on the receiver (in the pic showing the caliber close up) is something Ive never seen (or maybe just havent noticed before). Also, the blue on the extractor is akin to what you usually see on a high condition M1911. The blue on the receiver and lower tang looks a little dark for an earlier SN rifle. In this great of condition I would expect the express sight to have full blue if not changed out. Ive had express sights on guns before that came with them, sometimes mentioned in the letter, other times not.
1892takedown @sbcglobal.net ......NRA Endowment Life Member.....WACA Member
"God is great.....beer is good.....and people are crazy"... Billy Currington
