Winchester 1894 - Lever Action 38-55 - mfg. 1902

[nomad636]

I have recently acquired a Winchester Model 1894 Lever Action 38-55 that was manufactured in 1902. This has a 26" Octagon Barrel. The stock has some small chips in it but the pitting is minimal and there is virtually no rust. The action is gummy as it has sat in a gun safe for the past 30 years.

Does anyone have an idea as to what the potential value of the gun would be?
Does anyone have any interest in purchasing this gun from me?

 

[nomad636]

Here are some additional photographs of the rifle.

 

[Deaf Smith]

nomad,

The 94 was first made in 38-55. Here is one for two grand.

https://www.gunsamerica.com/901709087/WINCHESTER-1894-RIFLE-38-55-WIN-1902-MF.htm

Another one for $1250 (with round barrel.)

http://www.gunsinternational.com/gu...n-rifle-built-1902-38-55.cfm?gun_id=100732840

It just depends what the buyer is willing to pay.

Deaf

 

[Scorch]

While your 1894 is quite the find, in that condition it is worth maybe $1100. The octagon barrel makes it desirable, as does the 38-55 chambering, the cracked wood and rusted receiver not so much. I bought a 1894 standard rifle (round barrel, rifle butt stock, 26" barrel) in fair condition just 2 years ago for $600. It was missing the buttplate, and that was easy to replace.

 

[nomad636]

Thanks for the input guys.

I took the rifle to my local Winchester Gallery of Guns this morning so that their gunsmith could do a full cleaning of it and they could give me a written letter of appraisal.

The gentleman that I spoke with said that in the condition that it was currently in it would appraise at approx. $2,500 but that after the full cleaning had been performed and they had an opportunity to inspect the bore, etc. he expected it would appraise for around $2,800.

Fingers are crossed.

 

[JWT]

$2500 seems a bit on the high side given the condition from your pictures, but might look a lot different cleaned up.

 

[Pathfinder45]

Did you inherit the rifle? Have you shot it?

 

[nomad636]

Pathfinder,

I didn't inherit it per se. But purchased it from a friend that needed cash more than the rifle. I haven't shot it yet as I wanted my gunsmith to go through it to fully clean it and verify that it was shootable.

Once I get it back, I will be taking it to the range. I haven't decided whether or not I'm going to keep it or sell it.... as I have some home remodeling that needs to be done and I could really use the cash.

Once I get it back from the smith I will post pictures of it cleaned up for everyone to see.

 

[jdscholer]

I'd cash-flow the home renovation, and hang onto that sweet thing, at least for awhile. Value on that rifle is only going up, while the value of flooring and appliances will go down.

In any case, you're a lucky guy to have your hands on it for now, and I hope you get to have some fun with it. jd

 

[Pathfinder45]

You should examine the stamping on the barrel for words indicating something like nickel-steel for smokeless powder. If not, it's likely a black-powder rifle and you should avoid heavy loads like the ones made by Buffalo-Bore.