Condition

[DARE]

Have a Winchester 94 Saddle Ring Carbine 30WCF Built in 1917. Also a Winchester 92 Antique 38WCF built in 1894. I think the guns are 70-80% as I look at grading photos. So would you say 70%, 80% or some other number? Thanks for the help. Hope the photos are good enough.

 

[jeffrefrig]

I can't do percentages, but they look to be in pretty nice condition for their age. That boogered up screw definitely needs to go! Wood doesn't look bad. I take it their actions are smooth for their age? Just honest wear, it looks like on the metal.

 

[murphydog]

If it comes down to needing specifics about finish condition (for example, a sale or insurance valuation), my opinion is numerous clear photos and a detailed written description is better than aiming for a percentage number. The NRA grading scale is similar to how coins are graded but I think it is not detailed enough.

That said, the 1894 looks to be in excellent condition. Is the receiver finish on the 1892 faded, worn or ?

 

[ken158]

The first pic shows almost no bluing left on the receiver as compared to the lever and that screw looks bad. I’m thinking finish wise, you get a 50% or less on the NRA scale.

 

[MG-70]

I personally believe written condition descriptions, such as that by the NRA, to be a lot more important before the ability to include multiple decent-quality pics in an ad, or an email. An accurate written description of the condition is still important in disclosing things that aren't easily visible in pics, such as reliability, accuracy, "tightness", replacement parts, maintenance or repairs, etc., but I'll take quality pics over a seller's interpretation of the NRA's rating every single time.

As a seller, I always post as many good quality pics that I can, of the parts or angles I would look at when physically examining a particular gun. I also state in ads that prospective buyers can contact me for additional info., pics, etc., which I have provided offline on a number of occasions.

If you're unsure of the exact grading, you can always provide the pics and state "please refer to pics, and feel free to ask questions."

Good luck!

 

[s&wchad]

A close up of the SRC receiver would help. It looks OK from a distance, but the devil is in the details.
I'd rate this 94 SRC at around 90% original finish, perhaps a bit better.

Th '92 receiver looks like it was cleaned and is devoid of finish. The screws are rough and the wood obviously was lightly sanded and refinished. I've seen a lot worse! I can't tell about the barrel/mag tube, so a good close up of those would help. I will say the barrel on your '92 rifle looks long. They came standard with 24" barrels and those look to be at least 26". Over length barrels were special order and bring a substantial premium.

 

[2152hq]

I think the 92 wood is refinished. The frame looks devoid of finish but that's not un-usual for the period type bluing used if it was in fact blued.
The lever looks like it is blued. IIRC it should be color case hardened along with the hammer and the butt plate (and the forend cap perhaps).

The 1894 SRC looks like it has had some sort of refinish to the metal.,,a matted finish to the frame and the lever. At least that's what I see in the pics. Bbl and tube are likely orig or orig type blue
I know Pics can be way off in showing actual appearances though.
Wood could be orig with some wear to it. It doesn't really strike me as refinished as the 92 does. Seems to fit OK. MAybe some finish added over the years. That would be expected for a rifle being used.
3 hash marks on the recv'r ring. I thought maybe wrench marks at first but I think perhaps hunters game trophy marks instead.

 

[DARE]

Thanks

Thanks for the feedback. Looking at the 92, I would have to agree, not much finish on the receiver, especially when compared to the lever. Maybe not much finish on the barrel, although I was thinking maybe patina rather than no finish.
The 94 does not have much finish on the receiver either, more on the barrel and the lever.
Here are a few more pics.
Trying to price the guns, and Blue Book ties the value to I guess percent of original finish.
The model 92 is a 24" barrel.

 

[s&wchad]

Books don't buy guns and the percentage grading is difficult at best. Anyone can differentiate between a basket case wall hanger and a gun that's flat out new. Everything in between is far too subjective and book values are often out of date before the book goes to print.. I tend to evaluate old guns by comparing them to the condition they're typically found in.

Old Winchester lever guns seem to command higher prices in the West. I know a number of dealers in our antique arms club who buy guns here, just to take them to shows like Tulsa.

Here in Michigan, your SRC would probably bring around $900. A .25-35 or .38-55 would obviously bring more. It's looks like a solid, unmolested gun and everything's there.

The '92 would probably bring about the same. .38-40 is a desirable caliber in that model, second only to the .44-40.