On the hunt for 1873 or 1876 Winchester

[audiotronics]

So I took the advice and ordered some books as previously recommended and went out searching for some winchester lever actions . Of the 4 stores 1 had two 1876's in 40-60

Both were in working condition, but neither had any real blue finish left on barrel or receiver , THIRD model serial numbers Some scratches on forearm and butt stock, and scratches some light scratches on barrel.
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u196/mburton922/IMG_3368.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u196/mburton922/IMG_3373.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u196/mburton922/IMG_3357.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u196/mburton922/IMG_3350.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u196/mburton922/IMG_3367.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u196/mburton922/IMG_3351.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u196/mburton922/IMG_3374.jpg

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u196/mburton922/IMG_3373-1.jpg
The store has them priced according to the books like they are in Excellent condition 11K which would or should have 50-90 remaining blue left on the surfaces ,right ?

Just wanted opinions if you could , those of you with price expertise would love to hear what you think about the market etc

Thanks much

Books like the current publication of 33 Edition of the Blue Book of Gun Values by Fjestad and The Standard Catalog of Winchester Firearms by Joseph M Cornell. According to their grading these guns would be in the Good to Average condition and carry values around 3250-4500 at most, no ? with little blue finish. THey call these accumulators or shooters , or am I grading to hard. But 11 -12 Grand ?????

[405]

The pictures show or appear to show "average" to "above average" by some types of grading. The one pictured is a really tough call . If the barrel and caliber match the records as ordered and if the stock and the sling swivels are original to the gun as ordered and if the rear sight is at least period correct (even better if it was as ordered) AND if the bore is clean with no major pitting and has shiny, crisp lands..... then it could worth a closer look. The metal finish is a little degraded as you noted but I don't see pitting. It has a normal look of being well worn and used as would be expected for that age. A Cody letter could help with verifying the "as ordered" extras as seen on the gun. If correct, the gun appears to be a "special order/deluxe" type based on the following: tang sight, sling swivels, grade of wood. If original to the gun, the upgraded wood, the rear sight and sling swivels add a bunch of value. Is it an 11K gun- dunno? If it has a really fine plus to excellent bore then more likely. I'd like a little more finish on the metal for that money so the bore condition could be a deal maker or breaker if I were looking to buy.... if everything else checks out. Of course, values are relative and so very subjective. In the end, the research verification and the gut will determine what to do. Good luck in your search!

[405]

audiotronics,
Patience and attention to detail are the names of the Winchester collecting game. In the case of the 40-60 and pics you posted... if I saw that across the room I'd be immediately drawn to it. It has all the right stuff- personally. Then upon in-hand inspection I don't see any original finish, the caliber is 40-60 and the bore has a few flaws..... my gut would say, dang! what could have been. For 11k, I'd pass. But that is just me. If in the same exterior metal condition, with good tight action, correct to a Cody letter and good to excellent bore and in 50-95 caliber- I'd jump all over it! When I find myself looking at high dollar guns like this I force my gut to take a back seat and say, "is this a wise investment if in the future I want to sell it?".

Anyway, here's a link to a current listing for something at least a little similar to what you looked at. Something to compare. Plus it is in 45-60 caliber a little more popular because Winchester in the 1870-80s was competing in a market where the standard was "big bore" 45-70s. That means the 40-60 was considered a little out of place at that time and something Win did just to maybe widen the market- 45 cal was the ballgame then. Things in the lever action design world changed shortly thereafter with the Browning designed Win 86.
http://merzantique.com/photo.php?id=6126_0_2_0_M5

Hope all this helps!

[TXGunNut]

For 11k, I'd pass. But that is just me. If in the same exterior metal condition, with good tight action, correct to a Cody letter and good to excellent bore and in 50-95 caliber- I'd jump all over it! When I find myself looking at high dollar guns like this I force my gut to take a back seat and say, "is this a wise investment if in the future I want to sell it?". -405

It appears they want a bit more than that, just a smidge under $13K. If they're down to $11K that's a move in the right direction.
Here's Cabelas' bore description:
"Bore is semi-bright, not a mirror finish but has a bit of light oxidation/pitting adjacent to the lands. Rifling while not crisp, appears to be above average for this type of firearm."

Way out of my price range this year but I love a nice piece of wood and this one has it. Excellent pics on the store site.

[405]

Actually, I was basing that on the info audiotronics was posting. I didn't know it was a Cabela's (consign?). For the Cabela's Gunroom listings that are consignment, the owners have a major say in pricing and sometimes that doesn't square with the market. Agreed, 12-13K is too steep. Also, that bore description sounds like it's an "optimistic" type verbage and wording.

[KirkD]

I'm estimating that that '76 had a color case hardened receiver, judging from the bright area around the side plates in the protected area. CCH turns into a nickly-appearing finish eventually. The wood is deluxe, which would square with a CCH receiver, forearm tip and lever and hammer. The barrels and tube would have been blued. If this is, indeed, a deluxe '76 and it is unmessed with, then it is worth more than the average '76. I cannot say, however, how much it is worth.

[shrapnel]

The pictures are not great, to determine if it is a deluxe rifle or not is hard to say. The wood is definately not standard wood, but not XXX either. 40-60 is the worst caliber to get in a '76, but any '76 is still a worthwhile investment at the right price.

For $11,000.00 you had better get a letter and the gun has to be in much better shape than that one is and the gun should match the letter. I had a '76 deluxe with little finish on the metal, but it was a real deluxe and lettered as it was. I did sell it for $7,000.00 several years ago.

I have a couple 1876's and one has an original Winchester tang peep on it, it has quite a bit of finish on it (the sight) and is worth around $500.00-$600.00. Both of my 1876's are in excellent condition, the nicer one has a lot of finish and a W. F. Sheard stamp on the barrel, in it's condition is probably worth around $10,000.00.

The octagon barreled '76 is probably worth $6,000.00-$7,000.00, it is a 45-60, the Sheard gun is a 45-75...

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee202/bridgershooters/109_1136.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee202/bridgershooters/109_1083.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee202/bridgershooters/109_1080.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee202/bridgershooters/109_1077.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee202/bridgershooters/100_0568.jpg

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Those are some fine looking rifles. But those $$$$ ! I am so glad I got my old relined 45/60, no finish, ugly ducklin while it was still affordable. A shooter it is ! Goes ground hog hunting and maybe one day it will get a chance at those cougars the DNR ILLinois say do not exist.
Mike in Peru

[audiotronics]

The pictures are not great, to determine if it is a deluxe rifle or not is hard to say. The wood is definately not standard wood, but not XXX either. 40-60 is the worst caliber to get in a '76, but any '76 is still a worthwhile investment at the right price.

For $11,000.00 you had better get a letter and the gun has to be in much better shape than that one is and the gun should match the letter. I had a '76 deluxe with little finish on the metal, but it was a real deluxe and lettered as it was. I did sell it for $7,000.00 several years ago.

I have a couple 1876's and one has an original Winchester tang peep on it, it has quite a bit of finish on it (the sight) and is worth around $500.00-$600.00. Both of my 1876's are in excellent condition, the nicer one has a lot of finish and a W. F. Sheard stamp on the barrel, in it's condition is probably worth around $10,000.00.

The octagon barreled '76 is probably worth $6,000.00-$7,000.00, it is a 45-60, the Sheard gun is a 45-75...

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee202/bridgershooters/109_1136.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee202/bridgershooters/109_1083.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee202/bridgershooters/109_1080.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee202/bridgershooters/109_1077.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee202/bridgershooters/100_0568.jpg
I swear you look like my father in the last pic, amazing