Need Value of Winchester .38-55 Model 1894

[sgt.rock]

Hi,
My Grandmother just gave me this little piece of history, she said it belonged to my Grandfather, and she thinks his father gave it to him (or he took it on his father ). As I am the only true gun nut in the family, she said for me to take care of it, and remember my Gramps when I use it (I probably will never use it, just nice to have something from the family)
Anyhow, I have NO IDEA how much its worth, or how old it is. It is all original as far as I can tell. The wood is actually in great shape with little to no dings at all. The bluing is pretty much gone, but the action is solid, the trigger is good, and the rifling is very good. (I had to borrow a bore light from a friend to get a good look)
The caliber is .38-55. The gun has a 24" octagonal barrel. The serial number is 287###. Any help with values/age etc or any other info would be very much appreciated. My Grandmother is curious as to how old it is also.

 

[1899]

Nice rifle! It was made in 1903

 

[sgt.rock]

Wow!! The pictures I took look like crap. It feels super solid, and when I shoulder it, it just feels "right". It is a little dirty but I am not much of a "detailer" when It comes to lever actions. It looks a hell of a lot better in person than the pictures make it look. Some of the pictures even look like it has rust (which it doesn't) Just patina. I am pretty tempted to get a set of dies and try reloading for this guy with lead bullets, but I may wait and see.
My grandfather had this mounted in his living room for over 60 years apparently, and he only fired it a few times when he first got it off his old man. My Father is pretty steamed than Granny bypassed him and gave it directly to me. But I am a nurse, and have looked after her aches and pains for over 10 years. She didn't even hesitate giving it to me. Makes me feel like the "chosen grandson!!!"

 

[Winnipeg Toymaker]

the info I have states the gun made in 1903. It can be traced back to original specs by the Cody Museum. The letter provided costs you but it states the actual manufacturing date, configuration and date it left the factory. This letter can almost double the guns worth if the gun is in original configuration. the barrel should be 26" long, measured from the bolt opening to the muzzle. the octagon barrel makes it more in demand also. The letter may show it ordered with a "special length " barrel. if not it may have been cut thus the value is that of a shooter...about $350-$550.

I have several 38-55s and they are a fun caliber to shoot.I have a rifle made in 1906 and a Saddle ring Carbine made in 1908...plus a couple shooters.

 

[sgt.rock]

I just re-measured the barrel, (I only guestimated it before) and it is 26". I have limited knowledge about these guns, and just took a guess before the posting. (I got a little excited about sharing this with my gun nutz friends!!!)

 

[mpjustin]

It would be nice to see some better pics of the front sight to see if it is original or of the barrel has been cut. most model 1894 rifles had 26In barrels.
be very carefull winchesters are very addictive and if you do yo much research you might start aquiring more

 

[sgt.rock]

I will post a couple more pics tomorrow. (The wife is a nurse also, and just went to work with the camera on the front seat of the car)
I can vouch that there is no cut barrel or any "after market" stuff done to it. My Great Grandfather was the original buyer, and it was passed on to my Grandfather when Great Grampy died in 1946 (he died young)
Just looking for a ballpark value, if this is all original (which I am 99.9% sure it is)

 

[bogie]

Ok, now Im jealous. Im saving brass for it already

 

[Winnipeg Toymaker]

With the lack of colouring, and the octagon barrel and no special features...I would guess between $ 650 & $850-. If the bore is in good shape. Often these old rifles are shot out and then hung on the wall.

 

[99trix]

Family heirloom - Priceless

Nice to have something with known history. If only a few of my old savages could talk! Great to hear that it is going to stay with your family. Heck get out and shoot it, cast bullets sound like a great idea.

 

[senior]

Family heirloom - Priceless

Nice to have something with known history. If only a few of my old savages could talk! Great to hear that it is going to stay with your family. Heck get out and shoot it, cast bullets sound like a great idea.

Looks like a standard rifle to me, maybe front site has been replaced but who cares! I wouldn't have valued it as high as Toymaker but I've been out of it for a few yrs. Still $600 sounds more reasonable to me for a gun with very little blueing left even on the barrel.

Keep it, shoot it, & be proud of the heirloom