Is this rifle anything special?

triden

triden

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It's my grandpa's old Winchester and I believe that it was his dad's rifle before that. Honestly it's not much to look at with the weathered metal and stock, but it has a rich history and lots of use. It does feel really solid and shoots great though. I was hoping someone could tell me when this rifle was built and anything else about it. Do you think it's worth more than $100? It's a cool old gun :cool:

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triden said:
It's my grandpa's old Winchester and I believe that it was his dad's rifle before that. Honestly it's not much to look at with the weathered metal and stock, but it has a rich history and lots of use. It does feel really solid and shoots great though. I was hoping someone could tell me when this rifle was built and anything else about it. Do you think it's worth more than $100? It's a cool old gun :cool:
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Yes! As others have said it's military....cool! I would try posting it in the blackpowder and antiques sub-forum to get opinions and value!

OK:)
 
What does it even matter what it's worth.
After being passed through your family for so long how could you even ponder the idea of selling it?
Even if you have no interest, maybe one day your children or grandchildren will. I watch pawn stars all the time and I get pretty angry when I see some of the people come in with items that have so much family history and they just sell them to make a quick couple bucks.
 
We recently had a simular piece appraised (about 2.5 yrs ago). It's my brothers rifle. He is saddled with the same name as the original purchaser.....

Ours: Winchester 1894 (check), saddle ring carbine (check), pre WWI (check). Our rifle had some wear marks in the wood and a crescent moon burn mark near the front of the hand guard/ fore stock. Blueing was appraised at 35-40%. Ours had been dropped on the lever so the lever was somewhat misshapen but still worked. Ours is in 38-55. In the family for 4 ( soon to be 5) generations, purchased new in Seattle before heading to the Klondike.

Ours was valued at $750-$850 here in Canada. I was told if we could get it to the US, we should be able to get close to what book value is (blue book of gun values) $1250.

Ours is priceless, IMHO..... Lots of us in the family (past and present) have taken game with it, used it and it carried it. Too much family history to ever sell.

I have seen ones in the same shape as yours for sale anywhere from $250 to $900. Depends on calibre and pedigree.

Cheers!
 
do not clean off the patina if you plan to sell it. a lot of the value of old guns goes away when the surface is cleaned up.
 
I would sure be curious to know what was filed of the top of the barrel.
And I would for sure be trying to find where that missing tang sight
part/pieces are?
Doesn't sound like triden is selling it, but rather curious as to value instead.
Neat piece of family history there triden.
Would also be interesting to know about that screw through the rear dovetail
sight base? Factory or Grandpa Buhbuh?

Thanks for the post triden.
 
Kamlooky is right, I am not looking to sell it - merely inquiring about a rough appraisal value. It is a 30-30 Winchester caliber for those that are curious.

Can-down said:
Nice piece of history there!
http://www.winchestercollector.org/guns/w-mil.shtml
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Wow, thats pretty cool! Sounds like this COULD possibly be a Spruce Gun made around 1917 because the serial number falls between 835,### to 853,###. Might be worth a few bucks. This guy is trying to sell his for $3800...he might be out to lunch though. http://www.firearmscanada.com/ads/wwi-spruce-gun-winchester-30-30/

In any rate, I'll have to show my dad and see what he thinks. He had no idea about it's value and will be pretty excited to know it's an old military rifle. He just used it hunting and shooting as a kid.
 
That write up sure leaves no doubt but what the rifle in question is a "Spruce gun." Serial number is right in the middle and the markings are exactly as described.
Sure a great piece of US history.
I wonder if there are any collecctors down there who would be interested in such a piece?
 
It is worth a lot as a family heirloom. Worth a lot to a certain type of US collector. Worthless to almost all regular hunters. Glad you are keeping it and finding out about its history, some things ARE worth lots more than the local market will pay!
 
I recently sold a rifle like that but maybe in a bit nicer condition. 38-55 too and a nice shooter dated 1900. I had no trouble getting over $900 for it. If it had been newer steel I would have kept it. Accurate rifle if a tad on the heavy side.
That long barrel and mag add a fair bit of weight but it shot like a dream. Stupidly replaced it with a 45/70 and wish I still had it. Im an old fart and its a pleasure to shoot a nice accurate rifle a lot older than I am.
 
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