Old Winchesters - What's the appeal?

[Whitens Moss]

I was at an antique show recently and spotted a Winchester 1873 -- "The Gun that Won the West" -- famously the topic of Jimmy Stewart movie by the same name. I know there is a mystique to this rifle and it's collectible but inasmuch as millions have been made -- and are still being made as repros -- I don't understand why they command such high prices.

The one shown below was priced at $1,750, firm, and was made in 1889, according to the SN. Bore was decent, minor pitting and the stock looked good. Only flaw was a missing spring holding in the dust cover.

I didn't really want it that much, given the high price and the now out-of-date caliber -- .38/40 -- plus the fact that it likely would be rarely shot and wind up in the safe.

By contrast, I bought a 1932 Tula-stamped Mosin-Nagant 91/30 hex receiver, matching serials, which included the bayonet, oil can, sling, cleaning rod, tool and 80 rounds of 7.62x54R ammo for the princely sum of 150 bucks out the door. (photo below-revised because I uploaded the wrong photo earlier) It's a fun gun to shoot and works every time. I realize Mosins are everywhere, but so are Winchesters. So, why would I spent 12 times more for a rifle that is not only about as old, is much less functional and also widely available?

I read recently that a pristine Winnie 73 sold at auction for $35,000!

What am I missing?

 

[NYlakesider]

I was at an antique show recently and spotted a Winchester 1873 -- "The Gun that Won the West" -- famously the topic of Jimmy Stewart movie by the same name. I know there is a mystique to this rifle and it's collectible but inasmuch as millions have been made -- and are still being made as repros -- I don't understand why they command such high prices.

The one shown below was priced at $1,750, firm, and was made in 1889, according to the SN. Bore was decent, minor pitting and the stock looked good. Only flaw was a missing spring holding in the dust cover.

I didn't really want it that much, given the high price and the now out-of-date caliber -- .38/40 -- plus the fact that it likely would be rarely shot and wind up in the safe.

By contrast, I bought a 1932 Mosin-Nagant 91/30, which included the bayonet, oil can, sling, cleaning rod, tool and 80 rounds of 7.62x54R ammo for the princely sum of 150 bucks out the door. (photo below) It's a fun gun to shoot and works every time. I realize Mosins are everywhere, but so are Winchesters. So, why would I spent 12 times more for a rifle that is not only about as old, is much less functional and widely available?

I read recently that a pristine Winnie 73 sold at auction for $35,000!

What am I missing?

QUOTE]







Spending money on Winchesters..

All kidding aside there are more than enough people that want to have few Winchesters or even a decent collection so enjoy what you want. In the shooting field there are hundreds if not thousands of things to collect/appreciate. You do what makes you feel good.

FWIW I do have a couple collectable Winchesters a 1898 94 32-40 and a 94 saddle ring carbine (30WCF) from around 1915 and I still shoot them on occasion.

 

[dmar]

Not trying to be flip here, but old expression comes to mind, 'if I have to explain it to you, you probably won't understand...' comes to mind. To me, they are beautiful, well made guns with a whole lot of history behind them. There's a lot of different models that each have their own unique strengths/stories behind what makes them so compelling, but overall it's hard to beat a classic Winchester. There are a lot of people that feel the same way, and that is why they cost so much money...

That being said, I really like your Mosin Nagant and agree that they are a great value. At the end of the day, it's different strokes for different strokes.

 

[feralmerril]

Many aspects. First the historic appeal. They were the gun that won the west, most our ancestors hunted with them and depended on them for protection. They were dependable. They had sexy lines fine finish and better wood. They had the better reputation. They were the first POPULAR repeater. The texas rangers, arizona rangers most our romantic western figures carried them. My first centerfire rifle was a model 94 30-30 that I bought new when I was a 16 year old in 1957. Still have it and a arm full of others. I shot more deer with it than my other longg uns combined.

 

[gregintenn]

Ever shoot an antique Winchester? Probably not, or else you wouldn't be asking the question.

It is like asking "Why should I buy a vintage big block Chevelle when I can drive a Prius much more economically?"

 

[lawandorder]

Given the fact that most of the folks who populate this forum are representative of a generation that grew up with a Winchester rifle as an iconic weapon, on both the big and little screens, might have a bit to do with it.

 

[Rustyt1953]

The swath cut, by Winchester, through American history, is mighty wide my friend. A lot of non gun owners know this. People will always want to own something that changed the course of this country and the cost to do so will only go up.

 

[sheepdawg]

Good deal on the Mosin. Do I see screws on the sling escutcheons?

 

[DR505]

Because Winchesters are cool! Mosin-Nagants, not so much.

 

[feralmerril]

I once owned a Mosin-Nagant carbine. I dont recall if I shot it but recall it looking strong and very crude. That seems a trademark of russian designs.
The wood looked like a D grade telephone pole. Now if I was raised in Russia and had russian heros and had some spare ruble`s and coud actually find one I might want to collect it too. I gave mine to a young neighbor friend. He bought a stock, fitted it up and it looked pretty good.

 

[Aticus]

What is the appeal of a Mosin-Nagant? Those were made by the millions I'm told. Why are older Smiths getting expensive? What's the appeal over the new ones? Smith made millions of them. You can find them every where.

By the way, Winchester has made millions of the Mod. 94 more than all the other models of lever action combined, if memory serves.

P.S. 38/40 may be obsolete but it's still a good cartridge and fun in a lever rifle.

 

[boatme99]

Because there's never been a movie called "Mosin 91/30"?


Feril, nice 1895 carbine.

 

[feralmerril]

Like that? Here is a picture of it. I understand it came from arizona. Could have been a Arizona or Texas rangers gun as they were issued to both. I have owned it for about 45 years. When I bought it the rear sight was missing. A friend gave me a buffington sight and put it on for me. He didnt have to drill. However the wood hand guard wont fit over it. I still have it. Its in 30 army. (30/40). Its accurate and I load for it.

 

[Ben_hutcherson]

I don't have any "old" Winchesters(other than ~1910 97 model), but would love to have a couple of them.

As much as I enjoy my Mosin, there's just something special about an old Winchester, and there's really no comparison between it and a Mosin.

And, I'm still looking for the "right" 92 model in 32-20.

 

[lrb1200]

The old Winchesters are always going to part of American history. They command great admiration....and rightly so.
My Winchester 1892 in 44-40, birth date 1904,
and in 98% original condition.

 

[italiansport]

I honestly believe that the only ones who don't understand and appreciate classic Winchester rifles are Illegal aliens.
Jim

 

[LoboGunLeather]

The Winchester rifles are not only historical relics, they are functional pieces of art created during a time when most workers took great pride in their skills and manufacturers genuinely cared about their reputations.

Aside from that the older Winchesters are exceptionally good investments, with market values rising well in excess of the rate of inflation for the past 5 decades or more. I have Winchester rifles that I purchased 40 years and more ago and they are all worth several times what I paid for them.

I have several 19th Century Winchester rifles including single shot and lever actions in calibers from .22 short to .45-90 and several others in between. They are all fully functional and still as capable of performing the intended functions just as well as when new. Overall fit, finish, and function far exceed anything available in modern production firearms.

There is something very satisfying about eating a meal that was taken with a rifle that is 100 to 140 years old! My latest acquisition is a Model 1892 made in 1914, caliber .25-20, with original Lyman #2 tang sight, and I plan on using it for small game this fall and winter (I've been casting, gas checking, lubricating and sizing bullets and loading ammo for it over the past couple of months).

The old 1886 in .45-90 has proven itself on Rocky Mountain elk, as has the Model 71 in .348 Winchester and the Model 1895 in .405 Winchester. The 1873 in .44-40 has been lots of fun for decades. The 1885 Winder Musket .22 Short is just the ticket for cottontails. The 1894 in .38-55 is a great all around hunting rifle for just about anything I'm likely to come across in Colorado. The 1892 SRC in .32-20 is a handy little carbine. Just those seven would probably pay for a new car, but I wouldn't have near as much fun with the new car (and in 5 years it wouldn't be worth as much as one old Winchester).

Enjoy your Mosin Nagant!

 

[the ringo kid]

I honestly believe that the only ones who don't understand and appreciate classic Winchester rifles are Illegal aliens.
Jim

Or Pancho villas guys. The 1894 we have was captured by my grandfather who killed one of villas thugs who had originally stolen this rifle from Columbus New Mexico.

 

[DR505]

Or Pancho villas guys. The 1894 we have was captured by my grandfather who killed one of villas thugs who had originally stolen this rifle from Columbus New Mexico.

THAT is cool! I wonder if it was one of the first guns smuggled south from Columbus by the corrupt Mayor and crew, way back then?

After the gun scandal in Columbus

 

[the ringo kid]

Oh and, the appeal of them to me is:most of what was said above but--ill add that it was the first rifle I ever fired (above BB and Pellet Gun and .22 status) and--I dont care if the newer made Japanese """Winchesters""" are prettier then those made here--ill never buy one of their and will only by one made here--I dont care what year its made.

Beore my financial "world" fell to pieces this year due to many things--I was looking at two diff Winchester "Gold trigger" rifles that have been showing up at the local gun show. Both together are $1,000. I would give some of my teeth to have been able to get them both. One was made in the late 80s-the other several years later.