Old Winchesters - What's the appeal?

[Art Doc]

I tell my art history students there are five factors in determining the monetary value of art.

1. Age (older is generally better).
2. Scarcity...how many made or surviving?
3. Quality. Good is always good and better than bad.
4. Who did it? A painting by Rembrandt van Rijn will sell for more than one by Joe Smith.
5. "The Story" This explains why Vincent van Gogh's paintings sell for so much. They aren't that old, he produced about 2,000 of them so not scarce, I don't think they are all that good, but the tragic story of the suffering artist makes collectors want his work.

So let's look at this rifle.

1. 1889. Pretty old for a modern firearm.
2. Yes, they made lots of these, but how many survive in good condition? You don't see a nice original 1873 at every show.
3. Winchester is recognized as a quality name. One of the biggest, in fact.
4. See #3 response. Winchester made good stuff. They are revered by many.
5. The history of the brand name. The Old West. The movies. C'mon...pure Americana.

 

[the ringo kid]

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

I dont know but, all I do know is that someone had traced the rifle back to Columbus. My Grandfather was also one of the first people who resided in my home town of Kingsville, before the place even had a name. The town finally had an offiial name in 1904? and my grandfather ran a lumberyard on top of ran the first post office in town--which was actually justa tent with a few postbox shelves in it. My grandmother ran the place when he was out hunting villa. I wish I knew more? and I think nxt time I seemy Sister, think ill see what all she knows. )

 

[RobertJ.]

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.

Exactly!

And for me, especially the John M. Browning designed models. Those might as well be stamped with the Browning name.

 

[the ringo kid]

I like Henry's too. An "old West" colletion aint complete without a Henry.

 

[feralmerril]

I once had a shot out model 73 in 32-20 rebored for 38 special. Had a 92 that was shot out and had it bored to .357. Both I had done in the early 1970s. The 92 I am showing was made in 1902 in 44 wcf. It came from a indian reservation in the dakotas. Some skunk stold it and more in a house burglary back in 2002 in california. I would like to have another custom 92 built up in .256 win mag.

 

[venomballistics]

I found myself warming up to the old lever guns, despite coming from a generation that thumbed our noses at the win 94 and the boring 30-30 cartridge that came with it.
It started with a Henry big boy in 357 I got for my wife.
Seemed a good paring.
Pretty rifle that resonated with her Midwestern sensibilities, in a cartridge she could play with all day long.
It was an over achiever of a rifle, action is silk and lighting backed up by a level of accuracy that honestly took me by surprise.
Then the crunch hit. My father could not find ammo to feed his mod 94 in 32 special.
It followed me home for some load development.
Took some scrounging, but I managed a good pair of loads.
In the meantime, I cleaned up the rifle, which sat dry for nearly 15 years.
Fungus removed from the bore, action lubed for the first time in all my memory.
She slicked up and snapped to attention as though it was dead set on showing the wife's rifle how it was done.
It handles right. It's quick to come up and stabilize on target.
The thing finally got my respect for this, and other reasons.
Now, I like me a good cast bullet launch platform, and despite my high tech redneck leanings, there's just something about the 45-70
yup, eventually one followed me home. Cause I am going to miss that win 94 after I deliver her back home.
I know some folks take exception to referring to an arm as "she", or "her".
It's a title of earned respect for an arm.
Not all will earn the distinction. It did earn the right to be called a lady amongst arms.
If you don't understand that, then you need a winchester model 94.

 

[feralmerril]

This is a model 64 made in 1951. 30-30 that I lucked into about 40 years ago. It was unfired but I have shot it. I gave $200s for it in 1974 money.

 

[feralmerril]

This one is a model 63 22lr. It is one of the very last made about in 1956 or 1957. Has the grooved reciever. I bought it brand new in the box for $165s around the later 1980s. I think these guns were a good investment. I have shot both lightly.

 

[Smitty357]

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?"

Exactly why I still drive my old 67 camaro around on the weekends. Because all the kids on the block have those cool looking new camaros. But mine seems to get way more attention. Even attention from those new camaro owners who keep slapping themselves for buying that new one lol.

 

[Bat Guano]

I'm kind of fond of them, but with me it was mostly a phase.I was lucky enough to have an older gunsmith friend who was into these in the 70s and 80s. At various times I owned a '73, a '76, a couple of '86s, and a '94. Also worked (nowadays they call it "conservation) on some oldies but goodies for a museum including an unmolested Henry (VERY carefully!).

Two things I remember well--the blast in my ear when a balloon head .44-40 case let go in the '73's open top reciever, and the incredible amount of dried oiled dirt I got out of a '94 that hadn't been cleaned in80 years. And it still worked.

The only one left now is a '94 made in 1899. There's a (true) story with that one. It involves the RCMP in Whitehorse, Yukon territory; shots fired, and sundry mayhem. Good times, good times.

 

[boykinlp]

I don't remember Lucas McCain shooting a Mosin Nagant!

 

[Rustyt1953]

Exactly why I still drive my old 67 camaro around on the weekends. Because all the kids on the block have those cool looking new camaros. But mine seems to get way more attention. Even attention from those new camaro owners who keep slapping themselves for buying that new one lol.

Best color GM ever made! I envy you.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Friend of mine in Ky. has ferel hogs tearing up his fields. This is a job for my 94/30-30 brush gun. Hasn't failed me in 44 years!

 

[Stirling]

I've had to sell a few of my guns some time back but my heart still bleeds for my 16" .44 mag Winchester '94. Great little gun, very slick and accurate. Without it I wouldn't have been able to seal a very good deal either. I loved that gun, still miss it. If ever I have the opportunity to replace it I'll jump at it.

 

[hangnoose]

"GRADE D TELEPHONE POLE"

Still ROTFL. Simply a case of supply and demand. & I was gonna use the 'if you have to ask" line, but you beat me to it. To me (no offense) but the Mosins look like they should be carried by someone riding a camel, not a horse.

 

[RevolverDen]

Love the old Winchester lever guns, but when it came to buy I couldn't find anything better in looks, feel and function than models made by Uberti w/20" barrel in .45LC. Yes, they are bit more expensive, but definitely worth the cost!

 

[wbraswell]

Hmmm, didn't Winchester make 95s in 7.62X54 and sell them to Russia?

Outside of Fabrage, and some of their vodkas, not much Russian stuff sells for a premium.

 

[gregintenn]

If you've held both a Mosin Nagant and a Classic Winchester, and do not see the difference, I'm not sure I can help.

 

[DR505]

If you've held both a Mosin Nagant and a Classic Winchester, and do not see the difference, I'm not sure I can help.

If that is the case, they are beyond help.

 

[Jessie]

Millions of old coins made
Thousands of old cars made
Same with old jewelry
Bicycles
Cameras
Typewriters
Furniture
The list is really endless of old and antique things that are highly valued for age, history or workmanship.
But to ask HERE why a Winchester would be worth a lot?
I have no answer that will make sense to you, I imagine.