What might the value range be for a Winchester Model 1894 30...

What might the value range be for a Winchester Model 1894 30 WCF made in 1897 serial number 84101

Guest,

It could range from $500 to $15,000. There are many reason for this but, number one is the condition. How much orifginal blue is left and the condition of the wood? Then, is it a rifle or carbine and are there any special order features? Unique original sights or wood or barrel configuartion. All these affect the value of the rifle. Attach some good photos or give us more information and we can narrow that value range a bit.

2bit

This Model 1894 has a 26 inch octagon barrel - much of the blueing has worn away - the wood is sound but has some nicks and dings and could stand to be refinished. It has a fixed rear sight and also a peep sight. The butt has a curved shoulder plate. Writing on the barrel says Nickel Steel Barrel Especially for Smokeless Powder. I don't know how to upload a picture of it.

Guest,
Well we are drifting toward the lower end of the range. The 26 inch barrel was standard as was the cresent butt plate. If you refinish the wood you may as well use the rifle for a fence post as far as collectors are concerned. You might get more from the guy down the street for the rifle but probably wouldn't pay for a quality job. Original condition tends to be more valuable than refinished. The model 1894 was the first Winchester rifle designed specifically for smokeless powder. Hence the barrel markings. The receivers on Winchester always tend to have less blue than do the barrels and magazine tubes. If the bluing is mostly gone off all the metal parts or the rifle is real brown in color you are looking at maybe $1000. Probably less. The attached photo is about a $700 gun. There are just so many Model 1894 rifles out there that they have to be very nice to command much of a price. Hope this helped

2bit

Many thanks - this is actually a family heirloom - from my G-Grandfather down to me and I am about to pass it on to my son. My main interest in it's value is to be able to give him an approximate number for insurance purposes.I will tell him about the need to keep it as original as possible.

That rifle looks better in the photo than your description. Take few in the shade. Send me a series of both sides of the rifle. Your son is very lucky.

Here is one side - I don't know how to add more than one, so I'll send the others individually

Here is the other side

And here is the barrel

That is SO much better. Yes most of the receiver blue is gone. The barrel and magazine look pretty good though. The rear sight is a flip type. I have a rifle with one just like it

2bit

Radish

I'll look at the photos on my laptop instead of iPhone later. The wood may have been lightly sanded and oil finished. The wood is very nice but has no remnant of original varnish finish. Still it is a good looking rifle. Just put a light coat of oil on the metal and enjoy it.

Many thanks, sir. I'll pass on your information to my son. I don't think that it has been used very much, as the spiraling is in very, very good condition.

Radish,

Your Great-grandfather paid $19.50 for that rifle! He could have saved $1.50 if he had gotten it with a round barrel instead of the octagon. The rear sight probably cost him a little bit extra also. The standard Sporting rear was .80 cents while the sight on your rifle is a Winchester Express and listed for $1.50. The combination rear peep sight hit him up for $3.00 more. He obviously knew precisely what he wanted, to spend an extra $4.00 or 20% just for the sights!! You started out asking about value. What you have is beyond value. Enjoy it and raise your son to cherish it. He will wish it could tell its life story.

2bit

Again, thank you so much for all of this valuable information. I have copied it all and will send it on to my son.