Winchester 25-35

Status
Not open for further replies.
R

Right to bear arms

New member
I need advice from the forum again. Apparently I'm a very "needy" poster as I am always looking for purchasing advice. So here goes nothing. Tomorrow I'm fixin' to spend $500 OTD on a very old winchester 94 carbine in 25-35 caliber. This gun is a sight for sore eyes. Forearm has a crack in it and someone has carved initials on buttstock. Original bluing is almost gone and there is some light pitting on the nickle steel receiver. Bore looks good and locks up tight. Actually tighter than a new 94. Serial number is low, probably dates in the 1900-1910 range. My question is obvious. Is this a fair deal and will this be a nice addition to my lever collection. If anyone in the know can spare an opinion I would greatly appreciate it. This forum has helped me make some great purchases and helped me avoid others.
 
Strictly my own opinion, but unless that carbine is something special you didn't mention, my response would be no. With little original finish and the wood in poor shape (and carved to boot), there is zero collector value. Further, the gun is in a caliber for which ammo is hard to find and scarce. I suggest you save that $500 and add to it until you can find a nice 92 or 94; they are out there.

In the end it is your money, but remember you asked.

Jim
 
Thanks James K. That is exactly the type of info I am searching for.I only get to save money and buy a few guns a year. The last few deals I've bounced off this forum have made me money. I like the handling of this little carbine, but it is in 10% condition. It was previously marked $1200 but was recently dropped to $500.
 
The reason they dropped the price was that it didn't sell, and I don't think it will sell for $500 either. The trouble with custom stock work like carving, even when well done, is that it is to the taste of the fellow who did it or had it done, and it is unlikely that many buyers will have the same taste. If the gun were otherwise in good shape, it might be worth replacing the wood, but the rest or the gun seems nothing to write home about.

Jim
 
In that condition, a Type 1 might be a buy at $400 at most, I'm guessing. A Type 2? Maybe $300?

The .25-35 versions are generally more collectible.
 
I don't know about the rifle your talking about but my grandfather had a '94 in 25-35.

I don't know when he got it but during the depression he came to a little store in Idaho to buy a hunting license. The owner told him he would give him $50 for the deer before he sees it. I guess in them days people didn't buy licenses unless the critter was something special. It was, I still have the rack.

I shot my second deer with that rifle, and several more after that. Problem is my ex-sister in law and her hubby have the rifle and they aren't too fond of me. I already offered to buy just about any rifle they wanted to trade for my grandfather's rifle. No deal.

I would gladly pay five grand for that rifle if they would sell. Guess its just a dream.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top