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September 22, 2011
Online
Specifically, Lot 4038
Here is a link to the preview: https://www.poulinauctions.com/winchester-rare-special-order-carved-1886-extra-lightweight-lever-action-rifle/
There are more photographs of it at the actual listing, but I couldn’t bring that up individually.
The pre auction estimate was $10000 to $15000. Originally, I was prepared to bid in that range.
What’s going for it: 80% condition or more, antique status, Style D carved wood, fancy grain, maybe one of a kind, .45-70
What’s not going for it: Only feature for a light weight rifle, although an early one at that, is the fancy walnut with the carving, it’s as such as all the rest have engraving as well, so it’s unique in being not quite as nice as all the rest, there’s an “F” also carved in the forearm, and it’s in good condition, but the photograph of the barrel address demonstrates the splotched patina appearance from a fair amount of use, and some chips to the vase of the stock noted.
I think it’s about a $10,000 gun as shipped to one’s doorstep. How much more than that???
It sold yesterday for $10,000. With buyer’s premium, sales tax, and shipping, one is approaching the mid 12’s.
Worth it, or not?
I would have liked to have had this one in my hands before bidding more than $8500 or so (as that works out to over 10k with all the “juice”). No photographs of chips to stock, how bad was it (probably not too bad), the carved “F” doesn’t bother me, however.
I guess, in the end, it boils down to how much one would pay for this unique firearm with a few rare features…in the condition it’s in. Very nice, but not superb. If it had another feature, such as being takedown, I might have bid more.
I hope I don’t regret not getting this one, in the end.
What do others think?
I agree the F wouldn’t bother me & obviously didn’t bother someone else. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: Cody Firearms Museum letter stating the following information: “Serial number applied on April 25, 1896. / Type: Rifle / Caliber: 45/70 / Barrel Type: Round / Barrel Length: 22 inches / Extra Light / Nickel Steel / Trigger: Plain / 1/2 Magazine / Fancy / Shotgun butt, Rubber butt plate / Oil Finish / Carved style D /
The(“Non engraved rifles with factory carving are exceedingly rare and very very seldom encountered”) along with desirable 45-70 & antique status(1896) with generous original bluing on the receiver certainly interest me. I’ve owned 3 ELW 86’s but nothing close to this one. I think it’s priced right & could get the same money back if the day ever came. Jmo
RickC
March 20, 2009
Online
Good morning,
I am in the “as long as it doesn’t have a shotgun butt” camp. BUT, I do own two 1892’s with them. Why? Because they are unique configurations. So even I do not stick to my own rules. I also am not a great admirer of carved wood. Checkering is fine but I always feels that because of the material, wood does not allow the sort of detail that makes it appealing to me. When I look at the gun my feeling is not to rush out and buy it. Definitely a unique rifle but not one I would purchase. Especially for the final $12,000 price tag. If a person was solely collecting unique 1886’s then I can see this one being a must have.
I am surprised that the caliber stamp is not on the left side of the barrel. This is an 1896 DOM and the 22 inch 1892’s which I won have the rotated caliber stamp on the left side so that the rear sight elevator does not cover it as in the photos of this rifle.
Michael
Model 1892 / Model 61 Collector, Research, Valuation
December 21, 2006
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I would be hard pressed to pay that kind of money for that gun, but again to each his own. I didn’t see anywhere that says it ‘s lettered. To Me the stock carving looks rough, I had a ’93 Marlin one time with carved stocks and they were just more crisp and defined than this gun, then again it may be just wear. I know the stocks aren’t carved but I have a whole lot less money in this gun
Just sayin’
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
September 22, 2011
Online
As mentioned by others, but subconsciously addressed by myself: Yes, it’s the lack of crispness which bothered me, details in the carving worn down from moderate usage. Thank you for pointing out that to me.
It seems that others, so far, feel that having 12 k+ into this one, in the end, is too much. I don’t feel so bad now.
November 19, 2006
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I liked the carved wood and the shotgun butt, so I think it had a bit more appeal to me. In my mind, the condition didn’t warrant the ultimate purchase price. I think around $8000 to $8500 would be the top end of reasonable.
September 22, 2011
Online
I reasoned $8500 maximum, as bid to the auction house, with commission on top of that. However, I was indifferent to shotgun butt vs crescent butt. Why objections to a shotgun butt? Lightweight rifles come with shotgun butts.
Steve, did you mean $8000 to $8500 before or after the “juice”?
November 19, 2006
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mrcvs said
I reasoned $8500 maximum, as bid to the auction house, with commission on top of that. However, I was indifferent to shotgun butt vs crescent butt. Why objections to a shotgun butt? Lightweight rifles come with shotgun butts.Steve, did you mean $8000 to $8500 before or after the “juice”?
Yes, I meant after both the juice and sales tax.
September 22, 2011
Online
steve004 said
Yes, I meant after both the juice and sales tax.
Wow, that’s a bid of no greater than $6500 or $7000 before the juice.
Perhaps this rifle is not as desirable as I thought, but the eventual winner must have valued it more.
Count me in at $6500 to $7000 as I bid, or tried to bid, $7500 on it yesterday.
November 19, 2006
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I see lots of items (big auction house, gunbroker, Ebay) where items go for a good bit more than I think is reasonable.
With this ’86, I liked it a good bit – I just don’t think the condition warranted the hammer price. I don’t think it would have brought near that price (i.e. final bid and juice) sitting on a gun show table. This is why auctions are often very favorable for sellers and auction houses.
September 22, 2011
Online
steve004 said
I see lots of items (big auction house, gunbroker, Ebay) where items go for a good bit more than I think is reasonable.With this ’86, I liked it a good bit – I just don’t think the condition warranted the hammer price. I don’t think it would have brought near that price (i.e. final bid and juice) sitting on a gun show table. This is why auctions are often very favorable for sellers and auction houses.
Agreed. This definitely would not have brought $10,000 at my local antique gun show, more like $7500 cash. I see the same.moderately high condition Winchesters on the same tables show after show with ridiculous prices on them. The price doesn’t match the condition.
October 29, 2019
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I need to list my ELW .45-70. The wood is 2X and numbered to the gun. Not carved though. I’ll try to get around to taking some photos and showing it here before I list it. Not antique status though.
Shoot low boys. They're riding Shetland Ponies.
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