Grandfather's Winchester 30-30

Galipo

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Hey guys,

We're having a small dispute about the worth of an old (50s?) Winchester 30-30 lever action rifle, in fair condition. What do you think a fair value for a gun like this would be?

Thanks,
G
 
Sounds like your grandfather has died and you now have to buy from his estate executor.
Possibly one of the beneficiaries of the estate is insisting that this rifle might be a very valuable antique.
Probably you can persuade them otherwise by showing them a variety of nearly exact examples on several sales forums.
I bought my father's poor condition 1912 Winchester model 94, 30-30 with 26" barrel for $450 because the executor wouldn't sell for less.:(
 
Gun prices vary between Canada and the US, however there are recognized price ranges. I have the 2013 "Gun Digest book of Guns and Prices 8th Ed" in front of me. There are nearly 80 pages of all models of Winchester, so details are important. They use New In Box, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor as grades. Each one has a paragraph of condition statements. I'll be happy to give you the benefit from one source of information.

Model
Make Winchester
Serial number
Cartridge 30-30
Barrel length
Barrel shape
Butt plate style
Type of wood
Drilled for a scope base y/n
Stock repairs
Missing parts
If a commemorative, with box, fired?
 
You can look online, just google winchester model 94, and it will give you e=range of serial #'s for the years manufactured.
I have seen pre 64 model 94's in good condition selling for 650-1200, depending on shape, barrel length, etc.
 
Hey guys,

We're having a small dispute about the worth of an old (50s?) Winchester 30-30 lever action rifle, in fair condition. What do you think a fair value for a gun like this would be?

Thanks,
G

As just mentioned, Fair Condition is, 'Firearms in this category should be in satisfactory working order and safe to shoot. The overall metal and wood finish on the modern firearm must be at least 30 percent and antique firearms must have at least some of the original finish or old re-finish remaining. Repairs, alterations, non factory additions, and recent refinishing would all place a firearm in this classification. However, the modern firearm must be in working condition, with the antique firearm may not function. In either case the firearm must be considered safe to fire if in a working state.'

The book illustrates the pricing for a fictitious Model 2000:
NIB 1250
Exc 950
VG 750
Good 500
Fair 350
Poor 150

Notice the steep decline from one grade to another. There will always be significantly more low grade firearms than top grade examples. Supply and demand.

It is possible however, that the seller has a modern retail catalog open in front of him and sees, "rifle, lever action, 30-30, 10 shots, $900 please" and is setting the sale price on current replacement value.
 
Local smith gets these on consignment frequently, $300 for well used, $400 for minimal wear. There are literally millions of these around.
 
Who has it now?
Is it your intention to keep it and shoot it?
Does the other party have a PAL?
Agree to take it you LGS for an honest estimate based on their book value.
 
See one of the other posts re. Winchester 94, 30-30 rifles.

There were over 7,000,000 of them made so unless they have some special factory feature for the most part your average example is not worth a heckuva lot of money.

In my opinion, even a 1950s model in "Fair" condition wouldn't be worth more than $350.

But what do I know? I have three; a 1927, a 1955 and a mid-70s but I've never paid a nickel for one yet, they were donations.


Hey guys,

We're having a small dispute about the worth of an old (50s?) Winchester 30-30 lever action rifle, in fair condition. What do you think a fair value for a gun like this would be?

Thanks,
G
 
If you want it and it’s worth it to you, offer them $500 and tell them to take it because its the best deal their going to get on it.

And once you have it and a bill of sale in your hands tell them EXACTLY what you think of them.

Hey guys,

We're having a small dispute about the worth of an old (50s?) Winchester 30-30 lever action rifle, in fair condition. What do you think a fair value for a gun like this would be?

Thanks,
G
 
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