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June 4, 2017
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The Feb. 28 Poulin Auction should be a lesson in the market value of none original Winchesters to new collectors. Poulin was in my mind very honest with descriptions using words like upgraded, custom, copy, refinish, sanded, restored, replaced, and I believe one description was there is nothing right about this gun. You can’t say the buyers didn’t know what they were buying. Poulin posted low estimates to get people to bid and it worked. There is a market for these type of guns and although it’s al lot less than original it’s more than most collectors think.
The 1876 upgraded 1 of 100 lot 3086 is a good example. Est. 6-8k sells for 16k hammer. Maybe the buyer of that gun wasn’t willing to spend 200k for an original one, I don’t blame him , I wouldn’t.
When you stop calling guns an investment and consider them a hobby that cost money, maybe there’s room for none original in your collection. Although I try to buy original I do have a few guns that aren’t, I’m proud of those to.
I agree with steve004, the level of the alteration affects the value. These things are not black and white, that’s why the results of this auction is worth looking at. T/R
December 9, 2002
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Well Said TR! 
Tony
March 4, 2026
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Steve004, that’s an interesting and helpful thing to highlight. I’m curious, are these things mostly suitable for auction or are there other means for selling directly to collectors?
December 9, 2002
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steve004 said,
I think the comparison is a bit of an apples and oranges scenario. Your rifle presumably has the original barrel and the Poulin rifle has a custom after-market barrel added. If the only alteration to your rifle is the added engraving, that may make a difference in what it’s worth.
Brodg88 said
Steve004, that’s an interesting and helpful thing to highlight. I’m curious, are these things mostly suitable for auction or are there other means for selling directly to collectors?
This might help us members view Steve’s comments your referring to. Instead of bouncing back to read it on the previous page.
To jump into this, before Steve gets a chance, as I’m sure other members also have some thoughts. I think anything can be sold, and there’s a value on everything. With that said, I also feel that both way’s you suggested are options, if you choose to sell it.
The big thing here is how will you choose to present it? Back to the same Auction house, verifying and telling the story, educating them and the possible future buyer? Same with the private sale to a Collector. Having printed material from the educated members here on this forum, wouldn’t hurt you’re cause to bring this to light, if you choose not to hang it up, and sell it instead. IMHO!
Anthony
December 9, 2002
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Brodg88 said
I just wanted to say thanks to TR for the Poulin’s Auction lead. It turns out they sold a gun that is nearly identical in style, quality and finish to what I have in my hands.
https://www.auctionzip.com/auction-lot/impressive-custom-extended-barrel-engraved-early_c7299d36d1
It would have been amazing if it was a real Nimschke, but hey, for a free gun, it’s not worth “nothing” and its a gorgeous piece to look at!
Next up I’ll post pics in a new thread of the Henry Brass Frame rifle with SN 7516 and the henry “Bump” still intact..
Brodg88,
Check you’re inbox, I sent You a PM!
Anthony
June 4, 2017
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I see nothing wrong with buying or selling restored, upgraded, refinished, custom, sanded, or guns with replaced parts as long as both parties know. The market will dictate the price. Those guns that Poulin sold were well described.
As a buyer you have to Google any gun you intend to buy. Just type the make and serial number, the guns sold at Poulin and other auctions will show up with the description and pictures. If the auction company openly describes the flaws both parties know and have entered into a fair deal. If everyone in this hobby played their cards face up we would all benefit. My hats off to honest people in this hobby that do the right thing, to bad they are so rare. Google. T/R
November 19, 2006
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TR said
I see nothing wrong with buying or selling restored, upgraded, refinished, custom, sanded, or guns with replaced parts as long as both parties know. The market will dictate the price. Those guns that Poulin sold were well described.
As a buyer you have to Google any gun you intend to buy. Just type the make and serial number, the guns sold at Poulin and other auctions will show up with the description and pictures. If the auction company openly describes the flaws both parties know and have entered into a fair deal. If everyone in this hobby played their cards face up we would all benefit. My hats off to honest people in this hobby that do the right thing, to bad they are so rare. Google. T/R
I do wonder if the person who had this rifle engraved had intended to pass it off as an original Nimschke engraved rifle? It’s one thing to copy an engraving pattern, but a step further to add the initials. More people would be fooled by this rifle than those that wouldn’t (I’m referring to well beyond the members of this forum). And while doing your research is, as TR suggests, top-notch advice, not everyone does it.
December 9, 2002
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steve004 said
TR said
I see nothing wrong with buying or selling restored, upgraded, refinished, custom, sanded, or guns with replaced parts as long as both parties know. The market will dictate the price. Those guns that Poulin sold were well described.
As a buyer you have to Google any gun you intend to buy. Just type the make and serial number, the guns sold at Poulin and other auctions will show up with the description and pictures. If the auction company openly describes the flaws both parties know and have entered into a fair deal. If everyone in this hobby played their cards face up we would all benefit. My hats off to honest people in this hobby that do the right thing, to bad they are so rare. Google. T/R
I do wonder if the person who had this rifle engraved had intended to pass it off as an original Nimschke engraved rifle? It’s one thing to copy an engraving pattern, but a step further to add the initials. More people would be fooled by this rifle than those that wouldn’t (I’m referring to well beyond the members of this forum). And while doing your research is, as TR suggests, top-notch advice, not everyone does it.
I’m in agreement here, and I also believe that we here help to add in the possibility of helping others out down the road, from possible detrimental mistakes! With the posters great pictures and everyone’s chiming in, and especially with TR’s great reference to the Poulin’s Auction, I fell we here are a plus to the collecting fraternity, as far as keeping things as straight as we can. Lord knows we can’t catch them all or prevent some of what goes on out there, but at least we try.
Tony
December 9, 2002
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Brodg88,
Is it that you don’t want to answer you’re PM?
You’re not sure how to?
If you look up in the right hand corner, under the title you posted on this thread, of the 6 boxes, one in the middle says ‘INBOX”, and if you click on it, you can answer my questions, to you.
Thanks,
Anthony
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