For all the Winchester lever gun experts out there............HELP!

LawrenceN

LawrenceN

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
243   0   0
Location
Toronto (West end)
I was offered a chance to buy to Winchester Canadian Centennial .30-30 commemorative rifle with the octagon barrel. This is the rifle, not the carbine. It's been hunted with, has a custom leather scabbard, and the box is long gone. I know my military arms, but with one of these, I'm out of my element. I don't want to screw the guy, but I don't want to take a beating price wise either. Most of the pricing information I've been able to find is 4-8 years old, and I know pricing has changed in that time. I haven't seen it or handled it so all I have in the information the gentleman gave me. So, my question to you gurus out there is what would be a fair price for a very good condition Centennial rifle as I've described it?
He also has two old outside hammer 12 ga. side by's, one of which is a Westley Richards, that he might even throw into the deal for peanuts, if not for free. Any guidelines you good folks could give me would be most appreciated.
 
They are not worth anything once they have been used and/or are without the original box, hang tags, manuals etc. Even with all that they are not a big $ item or highly sought firearm. I wouldn't spend more than what any other post 64 Winchester 30-30 in the same condition is going for, in fact I would spend less due to their hard resale. Nobody wants them.
 
What he said. The Winchester 94 commemorative rifles are only truly desirable to someone who collects them(and there aren't many) if they are new in the box with hangtags and paperwork. Value is roughly the same as a post 64 carbine if they are used with no box. Sometimes less as many do not care for the "pimp shined" look.
 
What kind of shape is the Westley Richards in? That could be worth more money than the Winchester. Are you sure it's a Westley Richards and not a W. Richards?
 
300-350 = great price
350-450 = fair price
500 plus = walk away unless you really want it

If it's been used, the collectors value is gone. So just treat like any other pre 64 Winchester.
 
I have seen many of new in box centennials sell from 550-850 in the last few years, so use that as a gauge. If you really want a collector firearm this is not it. If you DO want a collector, wait for another to come along for marginally more money.
 
Thanks all for your input. Frankly, I'm a little shocked at how low the prices are, but as I'd mentioned I'm more of a milsurp guy. As an aside to 9.3mauser, it seems to me you may be correct as to it being a W. Richards shotgun. The guy who I was speaking about seems to be more interested in divesting himself of firearms than the money itself. He left me his card and contact info, so I'll contact him and let him know the bad news. Once again, thank you all.
 
If the shotgun is indeed a Westley Richards, it will have been a very high grade gun. If it is marked W Richards, it may be a medium quality British gun (William Richards), or a spurious named Belgian clunker. Statistically, the latter is the most likely.

And a used Canadian Centennial isn't particularly desirable. As far as that goes, a NIB specimen doesn't have much going for it.
 
tiriaq said:
If the shotgun is indeed a Westley Richards, it will have been a very high grade gun. If it is marked W Richards, it may be a medium quality British gun (William Richards), or a spurious named Belgian clunker. Statistically, the latter is the most likely.

And a used Canadian Centennial isn't particularly desirable. As far as that goes, a NIB specimen doesn't have much going for it.
Click to expand...

Depends on whether or not you have some really cool sideburns and a great leisure suit. If so, then Gold plated rifles may work well, fit right in with your style you know?
 
tokguy said:
Depends on whether or not you have some really cool sideburns and a great leisure suit. If so, then Gold plated rifles may work well, fit right in with your style you know?
Click to expand...
No sideburns, no leisure suit! AFIK, the Canadian Centennials were just blued, not gold-plated, but I could be wrong on that.
 
I would contend that the centennial will sell for a somewhat higher price than a plain Jane 94 of the same period, only because it looks good (the maple leaf engraving is attractive compared to a few of those gold disasters that were to follow).
You are join likely to hit the windfall though. The long barreled canadian in sold was slightly more resale than normal, but did sell very fast.
 
LawrenceN said:
No sideburns, no leisure suit! AFIK, the Canadian Centennials were just blued, not gold-plated, but I could be wrong on that.
Click to expand...

You are right about the bluing, just a little gold in the engraving. It is actually a very handsome rifle and will be a nice addition to your collection.
I have heard of some paying $750 for a real good example. Usually the sellers are thinking they can get $1200 for a new in box example, Ha!
 
Here is a link to a guy who loves his commemorative as a shooter. He raves about the stiff octagon barrel.
http://www.castbullet.com/shooting/3030.htm

Your rifle question is simple. Commemoratives are good shooters and interesting once fired. Unles NIB they have a very small premium factor to some but not me. I think a nice pre-64 94 would also be a great option. No gaudy full plated receiver is a plus. If it tickles your fancy as a shooter it should be a dandy. Most owners think that the rifle is a real collectible and can get a little angry when a guy makes a fair offer. Also I would check if it is already drilled and tapped for a receiver sight. I won't own an iron sighted lever without one normally.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom