An early serial # Win 1894 in .32-40 ... info + value please

Sniper1

Sniper1

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Hi guys,

My father gave me the responsibility of getting some info and value for my late granddad's Winchester model 1894, in .32-40.
I think the interesting part of this particular one is the very early serial number.

Sorry for the bad pictures. Here's the summary:
- Model 1894, .32-40, marked "Pat. Aug. 21 1894"
- serial number: 9328 (yes, four digits :eek: )
- Full octogonal 26" barrel
- half magazine
- condition "good", very serviceable action, not much original blueing left (was used for hunting for several years), but no much pitting either. Hard to see inside the barrel... needs a good cleanup... the rifling seems very tired.

Anyway, have a look and tell me what you know and an idea of value... I have to say that since this is the only thing I have left from my grandfather, I will be reluctant to let it go. Sentimental value.

P.S. look at the John Wayne commemorative ammo box :D

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Looks just about like mine. Hang on to the ammo !! Year of your rifle: 1895. As for price I'll let someone else field the answer to that. Don't ever sell it, you'll regret it !

Useful links: w w w. aaa-webs.com/aaa/webs/homestead/courses/1894/1894model-configurations.htm

w w w . cowichanbay.net/winchesterguns/serial94.html

My 1894 in 32-40 (1913)
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I would think that an early rifle like that in one of the orig. cals.(32/40) should draw close to 3K in NRA "Very Good" condition, yours is probably considered "good" condition. I am far from a Win. collector or expert, but i would hold onto that rifle for a while longer and it should go up in value as the 94's dry up.
 
Nice rifle. It looks like a keeper. It would start at a minimum of $500 on the open market but sentimental value has no price.
 
The "Junkman" strikes again!!!!! What do you mean...$500.00????? Even a regular 30-30 in a Mod. 94 is worth that, one form the late sixties or seventies. That's it....no more free coffee as it's fogging your brain!
 
Sorry but I would not pay $500 for a post 64 gun. There are pre ww11 carbines on here for the $300-$350 price. Being a rifle makes it a little more desireable. But with it being unoriginal , no blueing left and worn barrel , lowers the price drastically from what it could be in excellent condition.
 
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Dantforth....I said at MINIMUM it would start at $500. It could be worth much more depending on condition etc. I started lower as rifling is poor and being a non shooters doesn't bring as high a price. Maybe you could buy me a tea to clear out the fog..................
 
I paid an old buddy $1500.00 for mine, but it's in pretty rough shape. Some one carved thier intial in the stock and I believe the magazine was changed to shorter if I remember.

I didn't really care what the thing was worth as he is a retired guy and on a fixed income. So I probably paid too much, he might of thrown in a bubb'd LE also if I rember correctly.

If I am not mistaken the Winchester centre in Montana will tell you every thing about your rifle for 20 bucks or so.

KTK

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It is a first year rifle. very collectible caliber and if you get a Cody Museum letter stating it is in factory conformation, even in the shape it is in, it would bring 4-digit value in the states. If for your family heirloom. and never to be sold, I would certainly consider restoring and wall hanging it.
 
It's not that bad, I wouldn't refinish it or it'll be worth 1/2 what a 1st rifle in that shape would be. Clean it up & shoot the old girl, that's what there made for.
 
You might get a pleasant surprise if you give the rifle a thorough cleaning. I bought a fuzzy-bored Savage, cleaned it and shot it several times and the bore was gleaming. A somewhat pitted bore will usually shoot jacketed bullets okay.
As to refinishing, that one's up to you. If I bought a badly beaten or damaged rifle that had no collector value, I'd refinish. Nothing to lose and it looks good if done right. But an original like yours in decent shape? A good cleaning ought to do. Actually, it looks like someone already attacked it with a varnish brush at some time.
The .32-40 is a good hunting cartridge if you're a good hunter. Muzzle velocity at 1440 fps is MUCH less than the .30-30 or .32 Special; it's at its best inside a hundred yards. New brass is available from Winchester. New ammo is obsolete. The Hornady .32 bullet must be seated below the cannelure to work through the action, but the Speer .32 will work fine, according to Venturino.
The fact it's a first-year rifle may mean cast bullets are a better idea, easier on the rifling.
Beautiful rifle. Gimme gimme.
 
My 32-40 made in 1904. Paid $300 for it at auction, a replacement spring and I had the shot out barrel relined. Now it shoots like a damn.

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As was mentioned earlier, a good clean (and maybe that electric Outers bore clean) you may be suprised. I got an old rifle that looked beyond help until I did every conceivable thing to it. Turned out it had an almost pristine barrel under all the crud. I actually think the crap that was in it protected it over the last 120 years.
 
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