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WACA Guest
March 31, 2024
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Hi!
I’m brand new to this forum and my original Winchester collection is a little lacking, so hopefully y’all can help my with my question. A local gun store near me is selling a Winchester 1873 with standard length octagonal barrel and a half “button” magazine. The condition on the metal is mostly patina but with minimal pitting or scratching. Wood is similar. Bore is frosty with pronounced grooves. Serial # is 293286B, 1889 production. Caliber 32-20. The asking price is 2,399. Is this a reasonable price for such an example or should I steer clear? I can include some pictures if requested. Thanks!
-Dan
May 2, 2009
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Dan,
I can take a look for condition issues. As a guest you can’t directly post pictures to the forum. You have to upload them to a third party host site and post the link to them here or email them to me at the below address.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
May 2, 2009
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Dan,
Here are the photos. The gun looks nice and it looks like it had a case colored receiver. I can see remnants of the case in the protected areas of the frame just like the hammers. That is a plus. The price is reasonable but as in most gun deals you can negotiate.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
November 19, 2006
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My opinion is that it is overpriced. If it were an even $2,000, I’d still say that. Again, just my opinion. The chambering is a detraction.
December 12, 2019
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Steve, I value your opinion, as you certainly have more experience with these than I do. But I would expect that to be worth $2000 as long as I could be assured that it was ‘original’. Since 1873Man did not raise any red flags on originality, I assume it looks solid in that regard.
The caliber would actually be attractive to me since I have a couple of 92’s and Colt SAA in the caliber.
I’ll watch to try and learn more
NP
Nevada Paul
Life Member NRA
April 30, 2023
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I don’t mind the caliber at all (I know what the world thinks of it), but 2000 give or take is fair, give em hell and get it for 1999 out the door!
June 4, 2017
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The value depends on the letter. If it letters and has no flaws it’s priced retail, I think. Bob and I are going to Tulsa this weekend and we will know current pricing after the show. Auctions have gone up, I’m not sure if gun shows have. When I see guns sold I know what their worth and no better place than Tulsa. T/R
November 19, 2006
Online
We’ve had quite a bit of discussion lately about brown rifle values stagnating and rifles with condition making large value gains. My advice is, if you care about value, be cautious about what you pay for brown guns.
WACA Guest
March 31, 2024
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Thanks for everyone’s feedback! At this point in my life I’m unfortunately a little pressed for high condition gun funds and don’t mind a little patina. The gun in question has been sitting around the shop for a little bit so perhaps a sub 2000 offer wouldn’t rustle too many feathers. I’ll think about it more once this college semester ends. While I have seen that 32-20 isn’t as desirable in 73s it still seems like a pretty easy caliber to reload and pleasant to shoot.
-Dan
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