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I know that I don’t have a lot of purchases left in me because they have been so few and far apart in the past, but I’d like to get one or or two pieces that are going to, at a minimum, hold their value over the foreseeable future, say 10 years or so, as bleak as some folks might paint it to be. I don’t own any 1885’s nor a ’73, ’76, or ’86. I don’t even own an 1894 rifle anymore, nor a ’92 at all. I’d like to hear from some of you old timers that are savvy in this arena, maybe about some for sale or on auction now…so help me out here with some suggestions before I get cold feet…say for a budget up to 10, possibly 20k. I like special sights, too, especially so if they letter.
Thank you.
James
James any of the models that are antique with fancy wood, checkering and the right caliber will hold it’s value better than a plain gun. Finding an 1892 with these options is practically impossible. Really high condition guns might run 15K to 30K though. I like them slightly used but not abused. You need to go to the better collector shows.
Chuck said
James any of the models that are antique with fancy wood, checkering and the right caliber will hold it’s value better than a plain gun. Finding an 1892 with these options is practically impossible. Really high condition guns might run 15K to 30K though. I like them slightly used but not abused. You need to go to the better collector shows.
Thank you for the comment, Chuck, especially about the antique bit. I actually like the slight used ones as well. Now that my wife has recovered from her last surgery and finished with her radiation, I think we might both start to talk about attending some shows as soon as we can. Again, thanks.
James
Added: Which shows might you recommend that we attend, Chuck?
Chuck is steering you in the right direction. Here’s a candidate: M1892 .44-40 OBFMCB, takedown, antique manufacture, pistol grip checkered fancy wood. Try not to be in a scenario where you are bidding against others to get it. This is one of the reasons tables near the entrance at gun shows can be so desirable. Every now and then, someone walks with something that is a very long ways from junk. Wishing you good luck. The improbable can happen! When Bob got his ’73 heavy barreled .22, he wasn’t bidding against others. It’s the right time at the right place. It’s pretty rare that those people attending/phone bidding/internet bidding at a Rock Island Auction are in the right place at the right time.
jwm94 said
I know that I don’t have a lot of purchases left in me because they have been so few and far apart in the past, but I’d like to get one or or two pieces that are going to, at a minimum, hold their value over the foreseeable future, say 10 years or so, as bleak as some folks might paint it to be. I don’t own any 1885’s nor a ’73, ’76, or ’86. I don’t even own an 1894 rifle anymore, nor a ’92 at all. I’d like to hear from some of you old timers that are savvy in this arena, maybe about some for sale or on auction now…so help me out here with some suggestions before I get cold feet…say for a budget up to 10, possibly 20k. I like special sights, too, especially so if they letter.Thank you.
James
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-swap-meet/1873-winchester-1-of-1000/
🙂
About 40 years ago when the winter Las Vegas show was still at the Sahara, one night I was in a hotel room enjoying a few drinks with Tommy Rholes, Jeb Klitze and Les Quick. I asked Tommy this same question and his reply was that generally speaking, investment potential had always been and would always be with brass and case hardening – just saying. Personally, I have never had a favorite model and even though I have thinned the herd substantially, I still have at least one of each. Buy what you like and enjoy them – if they appreciate in value that is just icing on the cake.
Burt Humphrey said
About 40 years ago when the winter Las Vegas show was still at the Sahara, one night I was in a hotel room enjoying a few drinks with Tommy Rholes, Jeb Klitze and Les Quick. I asked Tommy this same question and his reply was that generally speaking, investment potential had always been and would always be with brass and case hardening – just saying. Personally, I have never had a favorite model and even though I have thinned the herd substantially, I still have at least one of each. Buy what you like and enjoy them – if they appreciate in value that is just icing on the cake.
Burt, I do appreciate your comments about what Tommy said to you, thanks. The idea of having one with brass or case colors is very tempting. My thoughts to this end keep going back to when a fellow offered me a case colored 1876 and I passed. Now I realized that it would have been a very fair deal.
Thanks for the great picture, too!!! Beautiful!!!
James
The 1866 SRC and the special order 1873 rifle Burt displays are truly gorgeous pieces. I have heard many things that lead me to believe Tommy was a smart and insightful guy. I’m sure I met him when I used to live in Texas – at the shows down there. I can’t say I recall talking to him. A missed opportunity for sure. I used to go to the shows at the Houston Astrohall and with 2000 or more tables back then, there was a lot to see.
James – it’s understandable that passing on the case colored ’76 haunts you.
steve004 said
https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-swap-meet/1873-winchester-1-of-1000/
🙂
I guarantee you finding a 1 of 1000 for sale is easier than the deluxe 1892 you mentioned.
As Burt said a case colored gun is always worth more than a blued gun.
Chuck said
I guarantee you finding a 1 of 1000 for sale is easier than the deluxe 1892 you mentioned.
As Burt said a case colored gun is always worth more than a blued gun.
As I slept last night I had visions of spending all of my time at the front tables of gun shows!!! 
Ya gotta love it!!! Right Steve?! My thanks to both of you guys!
James
James,
If you have not yet looked at Lot no. 19 in the December RIA auction, you should do so right now (so that you can begin squirreling away your $$$$).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
James,If you have not yet looked at Lot no. 19 in the December RIA auction, you should do so right now (so that you can begin squirreling away your $$$$).
Bert
Bert – Lot no. 19 is an amazing rifle. It would be perfect for James. I am perplexed – the Cody letter states, “4 magazines hand made in model room”. What does this mean?
Chuck said
I guarantee you finding a 1 of 1000 for sale is easier than the deluxe 1892 you mentioned.
As Burt said a case colored gun is always worth more than a blued gun.
Chuck – note that the 1892 I suggested didn’t include a case colored receiver among the list of features. Now that, would make if hard to find 😉
steve004 said
Bert – Lot no. 19 is an amazing rifle. It would be perfect for James. I am perplexed – the Cody letter states, “4 magazines hand made in model room”. What does this mean?
Steve,
While I cannot be 100% sure, I believe it is in reference to the special length magazine required for the 26-inch barrel.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
James,If you have not yet looked at Lot no. 19 in the December RIA auction, you should do so right now (so that you can begin squirreling away your $$$$).
Bert
Good one!
steve004 said
Bert – Lot no. 19 is an amazing rifle. It would be perfect for James. I am perplexed – the Cody letter states, “4 magazines hand made in model room”. What does this mean?
Yes, I saw it a few days previous. I do like it very much – great collectible. Thanks to you both for mentioning it. Unfortunately, two things are stopping me from making a bid on it. One reason is that my main goal at this point is to buy at least one rifle, preferably an all original antique in a larger caliber with some special order features that letter. It also has to have a “lot” of eye appeal, meaning that it does not have to be in high condition. The second reason is that I simply do not want to have to make excuses for the gun to Judge Judy or the Wardens/Guards of Huntsville’s Death Row.
James
steve004 said
Chuck – note that the 1892 I suggested didn’t include a case colored receiver among the list of features. Now that, would make if hard to find 😉
Doesn’t matter. If everyone on this site that constantly searches for guns online helped you I bet it would be a long time to find an antique full deluxe 1892 in either 38 or 44. The 32’s and 25’s can be found. I think I’ve seen 1 in the last 25 years. But I don’t look that hard because I know it is a waste of time. Like I said before a very wealthy collector sold his and died before anyone could find another for him. He would have paid any price.
Chuck said
Doesn’t matter. If everyone on this site that constantly searches for guns online helped you I bet it would be a long time to find an antique full deluxe 1892 in either 38 or 44. The 32’s and 25’s can be found. I think I’ve seen 1 in the last 25 years. But I don’t look that hard because I know it is a waste of time. Like I said before a very wealthy collector sold his and died before anyone could find another for him. He would have paid any price.
True story what Chuck has been reiterating in this post -not just now but in the past. Over 30 years ago when I decided I wanted to add a deluxe 92 to my collection I wanted a 44. I had money and at that time I had good connections with dealers and collectors around the country. I found the 44 to be elusive in the condition I like – I have always considered originality and condition as paramount. I finally settled for a high condition gun in 25-20 which letters perfectly and I have never looked back or regretted the decision.
Burt – that is a stunning ’92 you have there. I hear you guys about how rare these are. I suppose a big challenge is that everyone wants one – so competition for the ones out there – is very fierce. When I think of some relative numbers – such as how many 1886’s they made vs. 1892’s, and how much easier it is to find a deluxe ’86 (in .45-70 or .45-90) vs. finding a deluxe ’92 (in .38-40 or .44-40), I’m a bit surprised.
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