Winchester "Thumb Trigger" - help please!

[rdf009]

Have a question for any serious Winchester collectors who may be lurking around on this forum. I have a very rare Winchester 99 "Thumb Trigger Model" that I will be selling in my auction next Saturday in Kidron, OH. It is without a doubt the nicest one that I have ever seen. I believe it to be all original, and I would place it in close to 90% condition. Can anyone give me an estimate of what the value of this gun should be? My 2011 Blue Book lists it at $3,500 in Excellent and $2,000 Very Good. I know of a couple, however, that have sold for $4,500 and $5,975 in the last couple of years (one by Sotheby's and one by Rock Island....but I don't have anywhere near the exposure that either of those companies do). Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[DCWilson]

Welcome to the forum. If you are selling this in an auction, isn't the realized price beyond your control? You could set a reserve at whatever level is the minimum you would be willing to take for it, but perhaps you should be offering it for sale at a flat price. I don't follow Winchesters, but I am sure there must be a Winchester forum where you could post it. If nobody bites at the price you set, you are high. Just start stepping down until somebody tells you he'll take it.

It is indeed a nice looking gun.

 

[rdf009]

Thank you for the reply. I don't have any control over what the final price will be, but I do have control over what the minimum bid will be (if I determine that there even needs to be one). I'm just trying to get an idea of what this gun should be worth, and whether or not a reserve price needs to be set.

 

[deadin]

For that kind of values, you might consider contacting one of the auction houses and see what kind of a deal you could work out.
Without their exposure you might not be able to come anywhere near those prices. Even with paying their fees and charges, you could come out ahead.....

 

[rdf009]

That's true, but as an auctioneer myself I can't pass on the opportunity to at least attempt to sell a gun like this. If I don't get a fair price then I may be forced to do what you suggest.

There are 25 other Winchesters in this auction, and I'm confident that it will attract a good deal of attention. I have drawn that kind of money for guns in the past (a Luger and a Winchester 71....both over $4,000....come to mind), and I am optimistic that this one will do well. The ad has already ran, and it's too late to pull this one out.

Thanks for the advice, though. I'll go that route if I have to.

 

[m1gunner]

Neat gun, don't know that I have ever seen one. Thanks for posting the pics.

Is the value based on rarity? From your pics the condition doesn't look near 90% as far as what I am used to seeing. The repaired and refinished stock stand out as does the thin finish on the barrel. The barrel interior and crown do not add to the condition from your photos.

Is this to be an on-line auction, or a local auction?

 

[rdf009]

Thanks M1.

Yes, the value of these is based on rarity, but condition is everything when you're talking about the big bucks (as always).

My pictures may not be too good....the stock on this gun has not been repaired. I know that a couple of the pictures look like it has been cracked and re-glued, but that is not the case.....just a funky wood grain. And the pictures make the metal look rusted, but (while the blueing may be thinning in some spots), there is no rust.....just the start of some patina.

It's possible that i may be a little strong at 90%, but it certainly is very good in comparison to other thumb trigger models out there. But my opinion doesn't really matter in the long run.....it's all up to the bidders to decide.

And this is a local auction, but phone and absentee bids will be accepted, and guns will be shipped to out of state FFLs, if necessary.

Thanks.

 

[armenius]

I don't know,but the memories of squirrel hunting with a friend using one 71or72years ago was worth a million.I was thinking of that recently and do not believe I have seen one otherwise.

 

[Muley Gil]

When I was a teenager, I shot one quite a bit. It belonged to a neighbor who had gotten it from his uncle. Bought a lot of .22 Shorts from Western Auto at 29 cents a box. It would also shoot .22 Longs, but they cost more.

I wish someone would build a replica. It shouldn't be very costly, as it is the about the simplest gun possible.