Ok, so I could use some advice, well actually opinions here. My dad has three Winchester Commemorative model 94 30/30's. He was given them in lieu of pay about 40 years ago when he worked in the sporting goods industry. They are an RCMP Centennial, Apache, and a Wells Fargo. All three are never fired, new in box. So here is where the advice/opinions come in; we have been talking about shooting one of them. They are of course all post '64 models and I think something like 20,000 of each were made. Near as I can tell the Wells Fargo is the least valuable at between $600 and $700, with the RCMP and Apache being worth a little more at around $1000. After some thought I figure it may be better just to sell the Wells Fargo to someone who would appreciate it, then take the cash and buy a new 30/30 for shooting. Please weigh in if you like, thank you.
Winchester Commemorative Advice Please
- Thread starter Scoot3er
- Start date
nomad 68
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I could never wrap my head around saving rifles for someone else.If i owned one of the commemorative rifles,i'd use it but that's me.I remember when a cousin of mine owned a winchester commemorative.He hunted with it,took good care of it and got good money when he sold it.When i see 25 and 30 yr old rifles for sale BNIB,it makes me wonder why anyone would hold onto a firearm for so long without getting enjoyment or use out of it.If it was me, i'd sell 2 and enjoy the other but to each his own.
The way my dad got them was a weird situation, he had guns he used, but these were given to him in lieu of a bonus one year back in the 70s. I guess he always just viewed them for there value rather than as something he would use, so they sat tucked away. Out of sight out of mind I guess.
John Wesley Hardin
CGN Regular
- Location
- 45.457 x - 77.239
I would sell them all for as much as I could get for them and buy a good working 94 pre 64 that I wasn't afraid to put a few marks on and have some fun and use of.
Wes
Wes
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I facilitated a deal for an RCMP Commemorative model a couple of weeks ago. It was an MP serialized one and sold for $1450. You likely don't have that if your dad got it in lieu of pay, but if you sell all three (which I would) you'd get $1200-$1600 depending on condition and accessories. If you have an MP model RCMP centennial you could probably find a Mountie that wants one and get a good price for it, comparable to what the above noted rifle sold for.
Ooh...post#7,777...today should shape up to be a good day!
Ooh...post#7,777...today should shape up to be a good day!
I would keep the RCMP commemorative unfired in the box, wring whatever cash I could from the other two, and purchase nice pre 64s ....a 30-30, a .32 sp., and maybe even one of the big bores to enjoy using. Even without the RCMP one being serialized, it is a more significant collector piece on our side of the border than the others. My dad got one of the MP serialed 94s when they were first issued, but eventually sold it to buy a rifle he felt he could use. With two sons, and only one of the RCMP rifles to hand down, he solved two problems at once ... and no regrets.
Hey guys, while you 94 gurus are on the subject...
I have a pair of commemorative 94's with consecutive serial numbers. They are Alberta Diamond Jubilee models in 38-55 and they have either silver or pewter receivers. Not sure but they are tarnishing a bit.
They don't have boxes, but neither have been fired. What would they be worth?
I don't mean to hijack the OP's thread, but this question is along the same lines
I have a pair of commemorative 94's with consecutive serial numbers. They are Alberta Diamond Jubilee models in 38-55 and they have either silver or pewter receivers. Not sure but they are tarnishing a bit.
They don't have boxes, but neither have been fired. What would they be worth?
I don't mean to hijack the OP's thread, but this question is along the same lines
IMHO your dad should be looking at them like this.
If as you say he accepted them in lieu of money and has been keeping them with an eye toward their value, then he should treat them just like he would any other investment. If he needs or wants the money they would generate, then sell them and use the money the same way he would cashing in any other investment; paying off the house, credit card, taking a trip, etc., etc.
If you/he shoot them they will most likely decrease in value, that's never a good thing for an investment.
If you/he wants to shoot them, sell them as stated above and buy a shooter.
If YOU want to own/shoot them then you should be buying it off him at a fair marked value; that way you get something you want and he is able to use the money for something he wants.
If as you say he accepted them in lieu of money and has been keeping them with an eye toward their value, then he should treat them just like he would any other investment. If he needs or wants the money they would generate, then sell them and use the money the same way he would cashing in any other investment; paying off the house, credit card, taking a trip, etc., etc.
If you/he shoot them they will most likely decrease in value, that's never a good thing for an investment.
If you/he wants to shoot them, sell them as stated above and buy a shooter.
If YOU want to own/shoot them then you should be buying it off him at a fair marked value; that way you get something you want and he is able to use the money for something he wants.
I think the cost of the RCMP version in 1973 was around $175.
That money in a savings account would be worth more than the current value of the rifle.
It could have been sold to some unsuspecting soul for a 100% profit within a month of receiving it.
Shoot it and it will be worse than driving a new car off the lot.
Or you might find some unsuspecting mountie deep into loyalty and glossy eyed at the prospect of owning anything with a crest on it.
That money in a savings account would be worth more than the current value of the rifle.
It could have been sold to some unsuspecting soul for a 100% profit within a month of receiving it.
Shoot it and it will be worse than driving a new car off the lot.
Or you might find some unsuspecting mountie deep into loyalty and glossy eyed at the prospect of owning anything with a crest on it.
Thanks for all of the input everyone. Lot's of food for thought from different perspectives. In the end they are my dad's guns so we'll see what he wants to do with them. Although selling them to someone who is more into collecting and buying a shooter probably makes sense.....blueoval56, don't worry about hijacking the thread. Thanks to all, cheers.
40 year old guns new in their original boxes regardless of make or type should be sold off to collectors rather than shot at this stage. There is a collector for everything and that is where you will get your max return.We love guys that shoot them since all it does is put the value up on what we saved. Remember it is only new once and some guns unfired with no box can lose 20-30 plus percent of value.Lots of guys out there would buy these winchesters
Take the dollars after the sale and buy what ever you want and still have money left over.
Take the dollars after the sale and buy what ever you want and still have money left over.
gunrunner100
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- NW Ontario
As B.U.M. stated, check to see which RCMP model you have, the civilian or the member. Makes a big difference in value.
As for the rest, find a value you're comfortable with and sell them.
As for the rest, find a value you're comfortable with and sell them.
