where do I find the manufacture date of a model 1894 38-55 W...

where do I find the manufacture date or a model 1894 38-55 Winchester rifle? serial #177990

Guest,

You just found it. The rifle was manufactured in 1899. Making it 110 years old.

2bit

The serial number contains the manufacture date is what you are saying?

Guest,

No the Serial number does not "contain" the date. From a reference chart which has the first and last serial numbers for each year of the model production you can determine which year a rifle was manufactured.

2bit

I am interested in selling my rifle and would like to find the realistic value. I have seen many values because of types of gun and condition, where can I appraise my rifle ? Hopefully there is a site online that will give a ball park value?

The realistic value is going to depend on who you are selling it to and most importantly what is the condition of the rifle. Condition dictates value!!
Without knowing anything else about your rifle it could range from maybe as low as $400 to more than $5000. If you register you can then submit photos which are a great help. It saves lots of back and forth posting. Please take the photos out doors in the shade and DO NOT use the flash. It tends to overexpose the image and you lose lots of detail.

The second most important factor is if the rifle is unique because of special order items on the rifle. 100 years ago you could custom order the rifle from Winchester with options of style of the stock, choice of wood quality, choice of barrel length and design, and more. Some of these items or combination therof can make a rifle very valuable.

So as you can maybe gleen the ballpark is pretty darn big! Narrow it down by giving me some of the information and I'll be glad to help you out. My guess is you want more than the low end of the above range but it may be impossible to get anywhere near the upper quote if the rifle does not deserve it.

Let me hear back,
2bit