Value of Win. 38-56 W.C.F. level action?

My father has an older Winchester lever action 38-56 with serial number in the range of SN: 35XXX. It appears to be in good condtion, I don't think he ever fired it (probably could not get ammunition for it) but the lever action works. Any idea on how we can get a reasonable value on this rifle?

Thanks very much.

davars

hello,,the caliber38-56 wcf was offered in the 1886 model winchester ,if it's a very early rifle there are just too many factors to concider barrel lenght and type octogon or round ,stock lenght full or half,,takedown model or standard model,,model grade ect..first off we would need more information ,,a model number would be a good start,,proably be on the rear tang behind the hammer, or might be on the left side of the barrel,,it should be marked with a model number somewhere,then i could get an idea of the time frame the rifle was made,,the older winchesters from the early part of the century are high dollar rifles depending on alot of factors and there something that might need an expert appraisal because of the different options that were available,,so really can't even guess without a model number and some more details..
bigcurt

Thanks for the reply. I did some more checking. It is indeed a Model 1886, round barrel total length about 25.25 inches measured from muzzle to the breech, with a octagonal section about 11 inches long from the breech forward. It also has two rear sights- one short and one longer one folded down. there also is a flat notch under the barrel about 3-4 inches back from the muzzle which looks like it may have been used to provide space for a sling to pass between the magazine and the barrel. It does sound like we may need an appraisal. I have several digital pics which may help before taking it to someone. Anywhere I might get a ballpark range of value for this rifle?

Thanks so much for your input thus far.

davars

sounds like you have a 26 " sporting grade with half round and half octagon barrel,,proably has a straight grip stock with plain forarm and may have either a half or full lenght mag tube underneith,,book prices for this model are from 2500 in poor condition to 15,000 in excellent condition.. and if it's got checkered stocks it may be a fancy grade model and could double the prices for the sporting grade ...but these prices are only a guide from a book and actual value should be from a professional with a hands on evaluation,,definatlly worth doing more research on ,,i bet your glad your dad didn't use it much !
bigcurt

bigcurt; Thanks again! Yes its a 26 inch barrel, full magazine, non-checkered stock. Do you know how to identify a 'take-down' model vs. the standard model? I am glad I checked into this more! You seem to know a lot about these guns... are you a collector?

davars

your quite welcome,,no i'm not a winchester collector i just enjoy researching guns,,i've collected guns for 40+ years and have owned over 500 but not many winchesters,,never was much of a lever action fan,,and the older ones are just out of my price range,,i'm more into milsurp rifles and pistols than sporting arms..but i've got refrence books for just about anything out there and give me enough time and i can find anything..lol..as the takedown models ..i beleive it has to do with the mag tube ,,and rotating the action ,,but i never owned one before so mabey someone else has a better answer for that question,,good luck with it and if you want to research it more do a search for 'winchester forums" and i'm sure you will find a forum specializing in winchesters out there and i would also try the cody museum site and if i were you with this rifle i think i'd look into a research letter from them..it would help the value if you knew where it was shipped originally and some of it's history
bigcurt

bigcurt; Good advise.. thanks again. By the way, my dad says he got the gun for $100.00 several years ago from a co-worker/hunting buddy who brought it back from a trip to Utah. It will be interesting to see if the Cody Museum can provide any additonal history on the rifle.

Best wishes.

davars

wow that was a great investment on your dads part..that will only increase with time,,do your research and find out as much as possible about it ..Thats the fun part of collecting..learning about what you own,,tell dad to be on the lookout for more of those cheap guns !!lol..lol..keep us posted as to what you find out..
bigcurt

I happen to have an Win 1886 take down with illustrated booklet on how to take it down. I found the same booklet scanned and posted online. Give me a little time and I will report back here where you can view it (maybe download a copy). Gun value will depend on conditon of action/barrel and the wood. Sure that isn't a 38-55? Check back here for info. Thor

Here is the pdf file of the 1886 takedown booklet--
http://pdf.textfiles.com/manuals/FIREARMS/ winchester_1886supplement.pdf

You may have to either highlight, copy and paste this in your browser address window or retype it there. I just Googled the following: Winchester 1886 Takedown. Many options to pick from but this one worked and is what appears to be an exact copy (color and all) of the one I have. Thor

This 1886 sold on a UK Gundeals auction website in 38-56 for $3500 (converted from Pounds Sterling) and was described as--

WINCHESTER 1886
26 inch octagonal barrel.
Full magazine.
38-56 caliber (obsolete, no licence needed).
Serial number:75342 Made 1893.
Cresent butt.
Excellent 1886 model Winchester rifle. It has the full proper 26 inch octagonal barrel (Not cut like many) . Full magazine and cresent butt.
The condition is superb, it has a lovley grey/brown patina with traces of the original blueing in places like on the rear sight and breech block and also some light traces in protected areas of the colour case hardening. Superb condition metal, all with excellent edges. The barrel address, serial number and caliber marking are all excellent. The sights are original and superb. All of the screw heads are perfect and completely untouched, this gun has never been apart. The action is tight and works perfect, a delight to use. The bore is excellent with super rifleing along its length (My pictures do not do the bore justice, it is shiny and excellent with excellent rifleing).
The wood is superb too. It has the usual light scratching and dings of use from over the years. It has no cracks and no chips at all. Especially no chips out of the upper and lower tangs that many 1886's have. The wood to metal fit is superb, totally original with all original finish.
This is one of the nicest 1886's i have seen, it is just right, infact the only thing against it is the number 441-03-8577 that has been very lightly scratched into the patina on the left side of the barrel near the caliber marking (see photo). This has been done very lighly but i have not touched it. It would be easy for a gunsmith to sort without loosing the patina but i would just leave it as it is.
This is a superb 1886 and the best i have had, i must be crazy selling this Winchester!!!
Many thanks for looking, any questions are welcome

Finally--there was/is a 38-56 (also a 38-55) and sometimes it takes cases formed from a 45-70 shell to get working ammo. This is the reloading info if it helps sell the gun--
http://www.loaddata.com/members/search_printable.cfm? metallicid=2691&MW=&PM=&PT=

Get enough stuff yet? Thor

Thor; Thanks for the additional info. Havn't had a chance to review the 1886 takedown booklet yet.. look forward to doing that. the caliber 38-56 W.C.F. is pretty clearly marked on the octagonal part of the barrel near the receiver.

Thanks again.

davars