My new to me Winchester 1894 from 1899

[tommyguitar]

I have read that any gun after 1898 is not an antique. Here is my new gun that I just bought. I paid $400 and I was wondering if that is a fair price. It is all original except for the stock which at some point looks to have been replaced.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/sidestepsociety/winchester/IMG_0572.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/sidestepsociety/winchester/IMG_0582.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/sidestepsociety/winchester/IMG_0579.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/sidestepsociety/winchester/IMG_0577.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/sidestepsociety/winchester/IMG_0576.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/sidestepsociety/winchester/IMG_0579.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/sidestepsociety/winchester/IMG_0574.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/sidestepsociety/winchester/IMG_0573.jpg

What do you think? Is it safe to shoot or will shooting effect the price too much? The guy who sold it to me tried shooting it with no powder and said it will shoot. Truth be told, I'd like to hunt with it.

 

[tommyguitar]

Rather annoying picture troubles with Photobucket...

 

[SaddleTramp]

Very reasonable price for a vintage 94. What caliber is it?

 

[H Wally]

The first pic is a bit blurry, but if it's as nice as it seems, you got a deal.

Congrats!

 

[tommyguitar]

Sorry for the blurry pic. The caliber is 30-30!

 

[Win 38-55]

I'm not sure the buttstock has been replaced, but there has been some work done on the wrist area. That would detract from its collectors value but even with that, at $400, I think you got a good deal. If the action is chambering the cartridge such that it is tight between the base of the cartridge and the bolt face, and there are no obstructions in the bore, it is safe to shoot. Enjoy it. Shooting will not detract from its value.

 

[41 Colt]

Cool, I wish these repeaters were antique.

 

[Alonzo]

Awesome piece...if it could tell the story of why it got the bolt in the wrst.
My dad had a similar gun, 30/30 octagon rifle, a no finish gun though it had a mirror perfect bore...the butt-stock was in awesome condition...on one side. The other side was completely black, not charred or painted...just black. We figured some cowboy may have hung the coffee pot off the butt while the barrel was jammed in some rocks or something. The barrel was pock marked with shallow pitting for the last 8" to the muzzle. this was another one of those..."if this gun could talk".
Thanks for sharing

 

[ErikT]

Very nice! I love the old girls. My hunting companion this year is my 1894 in .38-55 that was manufactured in 1897. The wood is in decent shape, but the metal has zero finish left with lots of tiny pits, so I'm not too worried about ruining a valuable collector piece. All I've had to do is have the barrel relined and replace the firing pin. Enjoy it!

Erik.