bedbugbilly
04-24-2016, 06:30 PM
An old friend called me today who is settling his father-in-law's estate. He stated that in going through the possessions, he found a Winchester 30-30 in a case packed away in a closet and asked if I had any interest in possibly purchasing it. His father-in-law used to shoot/hunt many years ago but due to bad health, etc., he really hadn't done much in the last thirty years. His father-in-law had tagged the 94 as . . . "1898 or 1899 made Winchester saddle ring carbine". My friend said that if I was interested, I would have first chance at it and that they would like to get $1,000.00 out of it. (They have a number of medical/funeral expenses to pay). He said it looked like it was in good shape but did have some finish wear, small dings on the stock, etc.
I have several questions as I am not that familiar with "early" model 94s.
If it is what the tag says - a 1898 or 1899 Winchester 94 saddle ring carbine and it is in good condition - and the bore is still good - is it worth what they want for it? (i.e. $1,000.00).
Second . . . I would be looking at it for two reasons . . . first as an "investment" due to it's early mfg. date and second, as a Winchester that could be shot once in a while with fairly mild loads/cast boolits for the "historical fun of it". (I already have a much newer Winchester 94 "Ranger" to shoot).
If the date of birth is correct, the Winnie would be at least 116 or 117 years old. If the condition were good with a good bore (not perfect at that age I'm sure) is there anything that a person would have to watch out for if they were going to shoot it? It came out as a rifle designed for the 30-30 which was a smokeless cartridge but is the steel, heat treatment, etc. adequate for mild 30-30 loads? (115 gr. lead mile charge cartridge)
I won't be able to go take a look at it for a couple of weeks as my friend and his wife are going on vacation that they have had planed for months. While we all like to get "bargains" . . . i.e. get the price down . . . I don't feel comfortable in doing that in this situation. I would expect a rifle/carbine to be "perfect" after 116 years as far as finish, etc. but if it is in "good condition", mechanically sound and a halfway decent bore . . . is it worth what he wants for it?
Yes . . . I have taken a look at gun broker but as we all know, the prices of much newer pre 64 models are all over the place . . . and let's face it . . . a new Uberti lever gun costs that much or more depending on the model. I'm thinking that the 1K price he is asking is probably a decent one on a pre 1900 Winchester 94 and that it would only "appreciate" in value as time goes on but it turns out to be what he says it is and is in good condition. . . I don't want to "over pay" as well.
Some thoughts from those of you that are serious Winchester "lever guys". Thanks.
I have several questions as I am not that familiar with "early" model 94s.
If it is what the tag says - a 1898 or 1899 Winchester 94 saddle ring carbine and it is in good condition - and the bore is still good - is it worth what they want for it? (i.e. $1,000.00).
Second . . . I would be looking at it for two reasons . . . first as an "investment" due to it's early mfg. date and second, as a Winchester that could be shot once in a while with fairly mild loads/cast boolits for the "historical fun of it". (I already have a much newer Winchester 94 "Ranger" to shoot).
If the date of birth is correct, the Winnie would be at least 116 or 117 years old. If the condition were good with a good bore (not perfect at that age I'm sure) is there anything that a person would have to watch out for if they were going to shoot it? It came out as a rifle designed for the 30-30 which was a smokeless cartridge but is the steel, heat treatment, etc. adequate for mild 30-30 loads? (115 gr. lead mile charge cartridge)
I won't be able to go take a look at it for a couple of weeks as my friend and his wife are going on vacation that they have had planed for months. While we all like to get "bargains" . . . i.e. get the price down . . . I don't feel comfortable in doing that in this situation. I would expect a rifle/carbine to be "perfect" after 116 years as far as finish, etc. but if it is in "good condition", mechanically sound and a halfway decent bore . . . is it worth what he wants for it?
Yes . . . I have taken a look at gun broker but as we all know, the prices of much newer pre 64 models are all over the place . . . and let's face it . . . a new Uberti lever gun costs that much or more depending on the model. I'm thinking that the 1K price he is asking is probably a decent one on a pre 1900 Winchester 94 and that it would only "appreciate" in value as time goes on but it turns out to be what he says it is and is in good condition. . . I don't want to "over pay" as well.
Some thoughts from those of you that are serious Winchester "lever guys". Thanks.