Winchester Model 94 Help

Dead Chicken

Dead Chicken

New member
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
British Columbia
I bought 3 Win Model 94’s yesterday in 30-30. One of them was a 24 inch barrel manufactured in 1919 that has only been fired 3 times. It’s in excellent condition and I’m trying to find out what it’s worth. Anybody have any idea?
 
Dead Chicken said:
I bought 3 Win Model 94’s yesterday in 30-30. One of them was a 24 inch barrel manufactured in 1919 that has only been fired 3 times. It’s in excellent condition and I’m trying to find out what it’s worth. Anybody have any idea?
Click to expand...

I can not really help about value - likely need a LOT more information about it. Just about bore condition - I have no idea how you would "prove" that it has only been fired 3 times since 1919 - you say you acquired it yesterday - how would you know where it has been or has been subjected to for the past 100 plus years? Of the various elder rifles here, I suspect way more bore damage (rust, pitting) was done sitting neglected, than from firing 1,000 or 2,000 rounds with most any attempt at competent cleaning and oiling. Perhaps consider how a total stranger would read what you wrote - "in excellent condition" "manufactured in 1919" "only fired three times". Is a very old saying to buy the item - not to buy the story that the seller has with it.

Can be seen that people do work like "re-finish" those elder ones - shiny varnish on the wood, cold blue, missing front sight hood (if it had one, originally), munged up screw slots, parts like bands re-assembled backwards from original, etc. - all contribute to perhaps making a functioning rifle that might get up to $600. Everything mentioned likely takes away from the $2500 level. But is the Buyer, with the money to pay, that is going to establish what it is "worth" - maybe that guy wants a shiny stock, etc.

Three rounds fired in 1922 - with corrosive primers - then never cleaned adequately or oiled, likely result in a sewer pipe, un-restorable bore today. May or may not be important to some people.

Most Win 94 that will go "bang", without blowing up, likely sell $600 to $800 these days. Some unusual ones might go $2,500. Is in the details, and to find THAT buyer who really wants THAT rifle.
 
Last edited:
Hard to say a value,I would consider what others said,no possible way to know 3 rounds been fired out of it in all that time .I have bought ruger.44 mags where I knew complete history on them,including round count with a verified original box of ammo included in the sale,and people will be sceptical even with that amount of provenance.
 
Thanks for the reply and the info. All three of them were purchased from long time family friends that I trust. So when they say “fired three times”, I believe them.
 
Dead Chicken said:
... All three of them were purchased from long time family friends that I trust. So when they say “fired three times”, I believe them.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, but being able to convince a buyer of the same is another matter. That said, there's great scarcity in the lever action market, so it wouldn't be a hard sell - in general. As potashminer said, a serious collector (or well-informed gun enthusiast) is not going to care about the story that comes with the rifle. But the market is quite full of buyers who don't fit into these categories.

Reasonable condition lever actions in popular chamberings seem to start at over $1000 these days. Just have a look on ####### to see what is available - Their asking prices are often not realistic, but it will give you some idea of the lay of the land. Pay attention to asking price versus date posted. Sometimes you'll see one that is marked as sold, and some sellers will tell you how much they actually got for it if you ask nicely.

Shooters, serious collectors, and casual collectors will all have different ideas of what any particular gun is worth, because they want different things. If you're serious about getting top dollar for these guns, you have some work to do (research and marketing and then waiting for the right buyer). If you want to sell without much effort, list them with high asking prices and be clear in your ad that you'll drop the price $100 every week.
 
Made in 1919 and fired 3 times is possibly the most ridiculous statement I have ever seen on this sight and there have been some ridiculous statements.
 
It could be worth quite a lot depending on condition, model and packaging. I hope you don’t really believe that it’s only been fired 3 times. …

Anyway, I’ve seen these sell for hundreds of dollars and I’ve seen them sell for several thousands of dollars.

They’re not that rare. If it’s seems to be in high condition, maybe have it appraised before you drag it out to the bush.
 
Dead Chicken said:
Thanks for the reply and the info. All three of them were purchased from long time family friends that I trust. So when they say “fired three times”, I believe them.
Click to expand...

So, there in lies the value, priceless having being passed down from a Trusted Long Time Family Friend.
But, without actual picture etc... $ 2k in monetary value ?
Rob
 
Last edited:
So it's 104 year old model 94
Did you borescope the barrel yet? See any rust/pitting or very old copper marks in there?

interesting never the less

My model 94 built in the early 1900's has put a lot of meat in the freezer - original stock was cracked and one of the previous 5 owners replaced it sometime in the 70's.
 
I would get a written affidavit from the guy who bought it 104 years ago swearing it's only been fired 3 times. Would up the value considerably.
 
Cody Letter would help with the history and value.
If it's only been fired three times as you type, then the screws should be in original conditon.

As mentioned earlier, photos and gooder ones will help this tread along.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom