What Would you Offer for this 1892 32-20?

[Jeff R]

Gentlemen,
I have a chance to buy this 1892 32-20. It is owned by a friend, and I want to offer a fair price. The rifle was her Dad's, and later her "Deer Rifle" when she was a kid. I have not seen it in person, and do not have any photos of the bore. Here are a few photos:

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I have made a web album of more photos. I hope this link will work:

https://plus.google.com/photos/103252659007683231502/albums/5901033246692143009?authkey=CI6FwbSQperp8wE

I'd really like to get this rifle. Oh yea, . . . then a mould, and size dies and stuff, . . . and loads, and brass, . . .

If the photo link doesn't work, I'll try to edit in one that will.
Thanks!
Jeff

[Idaho Mule]

Jeff, nice little rifle. It is not perfect, but not many things that old are. If the bore is in good condition, and I would suspect that it is, then it is worth at least 800. If the friend knows what they have then you may have a tough time getting it for under 1000, because they could get more for it. The 1892's are fun guns to own, they have such a slick action. 32-20 is a wonderful cartridge to shoot too, very accurate, mild noise, almost no recoil, and very economical to shoot. There is NOTHING wrong with them if you learn to work with it. Check with other sources as far as price and definitely check the bore before you buy. I hope you end up with it as I know you will have a lot of fun. The serial # is under 1 million, so check Cody Firearms for date of manufacture, that will have bearing on the price. JW

[shdwlkr]

check out this website
http://merzantiques.com//index.php/catalog/sell/winchester-model-1892-rifles/P0
should give you a good idea what your looking at and prices
another place is Guns International

You could look at auctionarms and gunbroker but they don't have people that know the model 92 like the first one I listed and the second is just another good place to look

Hope that helps and if you get it you will never be sorry

[bob208]

the 800 price is right if she likes you and wants you to have it. the 1000 is on the low end if she wants top money. from what i can see the gun is unmolested the wood has not been sanded. just good honst wear.

[Outpost75]

If the bore is gone, that would knock about $200-250 off the price, which is what a relining costs, last time I had one done.

[starmac]

Correct me if I am wrong, but if the bore is bad enough to be relined, wouldn't that hurt the value of a collectable rifle. I am just thinking, as I am not a collector.

[Reg]

Correct me if I am wrong, but if the bore is bad enough to be relined, wouldn't that hurt the value of a collectable rifle. I am just thinking, as I am not a collector.

Most of the serious collector I know do consider but don't put much into bore condition. They usually have no interest in shooting it. Instead they pay far more attention to the external condition and especially if there is any provenance connected to it.

[starmac]

Does that mean one with a relined barrel, would be worth as much as one with a mediocre, or even a bad bore, as far as collector value??

[bob208]

if the relins was done right and you could hardly tell it was done it would not bother me. but if the barrel was cut. or the gun refinished then it would be a no go.

[40-82]

I would probably qualify as a collector, and for me bore condition is important. The bore doesn't have to be perfect. I've used a number of older rifles with fairly mediocre bores that shoot very well, and I've had rifles with perfect bores that I never did figure out how to make shoot. Maybe I'm not a pure collector because I also use these old rifles to collect food.

The outside of the rifle shown looks good, but before I put a price on it, I would want to look into the action and see the bore. 32-20 is an addictive cartridge, perfect for cast bullets.

[shdwlkr]

First the outside of the rifle to a collector is important
Second if someone famous had it and there is a letter proving such the value no matter the condition of the rifle is way up there
Third a reline that doesn't alter the rifle is really a non issue unless it was done by one of the great old gunsmiths then it can add value to the rifle
Fourth a refinish if done long enough ago has no real affect on value maybe $100 less if that
Fifth seriously go to http://merzantiques.com//index.php/c...1892-rifles/P0 there you can see pictures of many '92's and what price is attached to them and then look at what you are looking at and then start talking price with individual that has the rifle.
Sixth offer a fair price and feel good about your purchase.

[Clay M]

I like .32/20's and .38/40's.Those two are what I always look for.If the bore is in great condition, and it looks like an honest gun.Buy it!

[TCLouis]

Not to badmouth the gun in question, but the pics seem to have some very mnior pitting and yet shiny metal. Almost as if someone thought the beauty of shiny metal could ever outshine the BEAUTY of patina that can only come with age.

Course I am a shooter, not a collector.

AND

I would love to own such a fine firearm.

[Clay M]

Not to badmouth the gun in question, but the pics seem to have some very mnior pitting and yet shiny metal. Almost as if someone thought the beauty of shiny metal could ever outshine the BEAUTY of patina that can only come with age.



You can always mix up a solution of salt water and make it rust again.I doubt whether it is brown or shiny would affect the value, the blue is obviously gone.

[pietro]

.

She has what appears to be a Standard Grade Model 1892 Rifle from 1910, w/o any Special Order features, no finish & minor pitting on the receiver & forend cap, and smudged barrel bluing w/unk bore condition.

IMO, $800 is more than fair.

FWIW, 5 years ago, I was able to purchase (from an LGS) a .32-20 Model 92 RB Rifle with button magazine & 100% restored case colors on the receiver (courtesy of Doug Turnbull - it was in Doug's book, as it turned out later) for $700 - but what did the LGS owner know ?

He was supposed to be the "pro".................... :violin:


:guntootsmiley:

.

[Four Fingers of Death]

It'd break your heart if I told you how much it would bring in Australia, haha! We can usually pick up a couple of good ones for that sort of money. We dip out every other way gun wise unfortunately.

[Cosmiceyes]

The gun an caliber are worth $1000.00. If the bore is shot out some,then size the boolits bigger. My Great Uncle used his to kill deer,and bought me my Browning 92 in 357 magnum. All 92's are selling at crazy prices.Mine is made in Japan in the 80's and is selling at $1300.00. New love for a quality gun.If you have a liner put in since you want to shoot it it will not devalue this gun.The reason they made the 32 Winchester was because of all the shot out barrels from 30-30's.

[Clay M]

I would gladly pay $1000 for the gun, IF it has an extremely good bore.If it has a poor bore I wouldn't want it.

[TXGunNut]

I'd pay $800, maybe more, for a shooter. I'd pass if it's a collector piece with an ugly bore. I know that a bore that looks like a sewer pipe will sometimes shoot, just not willing to make the investment to find out.

[jh45gun]

I call that 32 Winchester statement BALONY

[TXGunNut]

I call that 32 Winchester statement BALONY


Agreed, but clearing it up would take us off-topic.