This rifle is a train wreck!  Why try and sugar coat it?  This beginning Winchester aficionado made a huge mistake.  Hopefully he learns from it and doesn’t make the same mistake again.

This rifle is maybe worth $500 and you have to find the person who actually wants it. -mrcvs

Maybe so, but beginning collectors learn from their mistakes. OTOH I think OP likes the gun and is making an interesting project out of it. Reminds me of a Radney Foster song...and a few Winchesters that have followed me home. 

Mike

Thanks for checking it.

Bert

Buck1967 said

eddixon said

eddixon said
i just bought a new to me Winchester 1892 32 WCF it was built in 1911 i was hoping i could get a value on it and maybe some opinions on if i payed too much for it. the shop wanted $1150 for it and i was able to get it for $900 to start it needs a very good cleaning. the rifling looks good in it i took it to my gunsmith today and he says it is missing an ejector and the parts that go with it. but that it seems to be a good gun other than that the action is tight there is no bluing left on it to speak of it is all in the white if i am using that correctly no cracks in the wood either. the octagon barrel and the Butt plate really did it for me and the first two digits on the serial number is the month and day of my birthday so that didn't hurt. haven't tried to shoot it since the ejector is missing and i also don't have any bullets but everything seems to work like it should.
  

Bought it yesterday and started refinishing the wood I don’t mind the patina/ character look to it Just got it finished and cleaned up good and thought I would post it again with a new picture only have one because its dark out and I just got it put back together.
  

I think it looks great! You can’t beat that character and history. Guys looking to invest won’t appreciate this one but as a collector, I love it and don’t think $900 was a bad price. I think it fair to say while many of the guys on here would have paid less, many more outside of here have paid more for a similar Winchester! Congrats my friend I think you got a beauty! 
  

I don’t want to be a jerk but…

This rifle is a train wreck!  Why try and sugar coat it?  This beginning Winchester aficionado made a huge mistake.  Hopefully he learns from it and doesn’t make the same mistake again.

This rifle is maybe worth $500 and you have to find the person who actually wants it.

eddixon said

eddixon said
i just bought a new to me Winchester 1892 32 WCF it was built in 1911 i was hoping i could get a value on it and maybe some opinions on if i payed too much for it. the shop wanted $1150 for it and i was able to get it for $900 to start it needs a very good cleaning. the rifling looks good in it i took it to my gunsmith today and he says it is missing an ejector and the parts that go with it. but that it seems to be a good gun other than that the action is tight there is no bluing left on it to speak of it is all in the white if i am using that correctly no cracks in the wood either. the octagon barrel and the Butt plate really did it for me and the first two digits on the serial number is the month and day of my birthday so that didn't hurt. haven't tried to shoot it since the ejector is missing and i also don't have any bullets but everything seems to work like it should.
  

Bought it yesterday and started refinishing the wood I don’t mind the patina/ character look to it Just got it finished and cleaned up good and thought I would post it again with a new picture only have one because its dark out and I just got it put back together.
  

I think it looks great! You can’t beat that character and history. Guys looking to invest won’t appreciate this one but as a collector, I love it and don’t think $900 was a bad price. I think it fair to say while many of the guys on here would have paid less, many more outside of here have paid more for a similar Winchester! Congrats my friend I think you got a beauty! 

Bert H. said

Gunsnfishin said
Only date I could find 
  

That is the Patent date for the Take-down.
The barrel date requires removing the barrel (taking it down), and then removing the forend stock to see the date on the bottom of the barrel inside the take down extension ring.  The attached pictures show the location of the 2-digit year number stamped on the bottom of the barrel.

 
Bert
  

oldcrankyyankee said
But I would HIGHLY suggest that you consult some of our more esteemed and knowledgeable collectors before you buy in the future.    
  

I would totally agree with that statement.  Anyone is always welcome to reach out to me BEFORE pulling out the checkbook.  It is a LOT easier for me to talk you out of buying than it probably would be to try to get 25 to 40% of your money back from a seller.  Based on what I see for similar rifles I would have said that $700 would be top dollar for the rifle. ESPECIALLY since it is basically un-shootable in its current condition.  

Michael

Gunsnfishin said
Only date I could find 
  

That is the Patent date for the Take-down.

The barrel date requires removing the barrel (taking it down), and then removing the forend stock to see the date on the bottom of the barrel inside the take down extension ring.  The attached pictures show the location of the 2-digit year number stamped on the bottom of the barrel.

Bert

Gunsnfishin said
Not yet
  

Please let me know when you do.  I would like to add that information to my survey.

Thanks again,

Bert

Gunsnfishin said
Bert / recently picked up a 1894 - 38-55- round barrel- serial 3135- 
  

I have it previously documented in the survey, a First Model standard Sporting Rifle.  The PR records show that it was manufactured in late February 1895.  Do you have a CFM factory letter for it?

Bert

Gunsnfishin said
I have a .30 cal - serial 572
  

Can you confirm that it has a "24" barrel date?  If possible, send a picture of the barrel date marking to me?

Bert - Win1885@msn.com

mrcvs said

antler1 said

mrcvs said
As others said, not being antique and inn.40-82 hurts this one, but the condition of this one, while decent, really hurts this one.  It’s a 75% gun when you account for barrel wear, patinated areas, etc.  Note the nice chunk missing from the right side of the stock where it meets the upper tang.
Model 1886 rifles have lost a quarter to a third of their value since the Election of 2024.  Also, this rifle falls in a very difficult spot when it comes to interest and ultimate sale.  It has too many features and too much condition to be entry level, a first time purchaser with limited funds who just wants to own a Winchester 1886 rifle.  Thus, it cannot sell in the under $1500 or $2000 range to a guy with limited funds and wants a Winchester 1886.  This first time purchaser will likely want something to shoot, and unless he reloads, which is extremely unlikely, any caliber other than .45-70 will likely be of little or no interest.
A higher end collector will find the special order features but will be turned off by the condition.  He would rather spend more for something with condition.
Caveat emptor!  It is these midrange Winchester Model 1886 (and 1892s, 1894s, 1895s, etc) that will become increasingly a burden.  Which is really sad because, not only do I have a few of them, but they used to be a stepping stone for collectors of modest means who became aware of and appreciated those special order features and would spend a little more for them, but couldn’t afford a pristine example.
Sort of reflects society.  This very rifle would have been owned by a middle class individual the last several decades.  As the middle class diminishes, so does interest in this diminish.  And so the burgeoning lower class and the ever wealthy upper class will chase both ends of the spectrum leaving this one soundly in the dust with little interest.
  

I guess I'm still in the dust pile as I find this a very appealing 1886
  

I didn’t say that I don’t find this rifle appealing, as I do.  It’s just that folks like you and I who do are dwindling.  It’s still appealing to many, most who lack the funds to acquire it.  Or those that have the funds strive for something better in most cases.
  

Ian - 

Yup - the guy who wants this rifle,doesn't have the money, and the guy who has the money, doesn't want this rifle.  

I also found this rifle appealing.  But I think you're right - in general these mid-range Winchesters have seen a devaluation.  And it doesn't make me happy either, as I have more than a few of them.  I still like them as much as I always did. What other people think they are worth isn't that important to me.

This rifle may sell at the advertised price.  It only takes one buyer.