Winchester Model 61 Year and Value? with pic

This is a gun from my grandad and I would like to know year of manufacter and value? Or any other input/advice? serial# 947xx Thanks!

bigboyga,

Your rifle was manufactured in 1948. But to give you some idea of its value I need to have some idea of its condition. Please read this post of mine to give some idea of how I look at rifles. Then send me a detailed description or much better some good photos of it. Then I can give you something besides a range of someplace between $200 and $2000.
http://www.gunvaluesboard.com/why-i-need-photos- 254864.html#25490
http://www.gunvaluesboard.com/hi.-i-have-a-model-1873- winchester-.32-20-serial-number-is-2...- 240204.html#25052

Thanks
2bit

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bigboyga,

This is a great example of why photos are so important to decideing the condition of a rifle. Your rifle has little of the original bluing left on the receiver and maybe 50 on the barrel and magazine tube. The finish on the slide is almost gone also. The stock is in better shape. I would rate it as overall about a 40 to maybe 50% condition. Therefore it is valued in the $250 to $300 range.

Most people would think of restoring a rifle at this condition but then it has no value in the collecting arena. I would suggest carefully cleaning it and then keeping it lightly oiled to keep it from deteriorating any further. The real value of this rifle is that it belonged to your grandfather. If you plan to keep it in the family take care of it and its wear is a testament to its age. They shouldn't look brand new.

Thanks you so much for the effort with the photos.
It really mankes my part of this more informative.

Hope this helped.
2bit

Thanks for your input. I was up till 1 last night cleaning it up. I can use modern ammo in this gun correct? I have a marlin 1892 lever action and have been told that I should only use target ammo in it. But my understanding is that it was made around 1917 or so and should not have the newer high powered ammo run through it.

For your information( don't like to use abbreviations)Most
Marlins made before 1940's ( unless specified on the barrel ) special smokeless powder, only used black powder
DO NOT use modern smokeless shells in this rifle! They are too strong for the action, the steel is different from today's standards. The steel was not as tough.

Joegunn96,

I must respectfully disagree with your recomendation regarding the use of new ammunition in the referenced Winchester, and most likely, your Marlin. As long as your rifle has been inspected and found to have no stuctural flaws.

I have a dozen Winchester Model 1873 and 1892 rifles which were originally designed for use with black powder ammunition. But in the middle of there production run as smokeless powder was developed the ammunition was converted. All modern ammo in these calibers are loaded with smokeless powder that delivers the same ballistics as the original powder at no risk to the rifles.

The Model 1894 was the first Winchester rifle specifically designed to take advantage of higher grade steel and used only with smokeless powder in their ammo thus realizing significantly higher ballistics.

The same is true of modern .22 cal ammo in short, long, or long rifle. Believe me there is no way that ammunition manufacturers would take the liability of producing ammo that was unsafe unless the public knew the original ballistics.

One MUST be aware of the differences in burn rate of powder if one reloads his own ammo. But commercial ammo from reputable manufacturers is safe when used in the proper rifle.

Thanks
2bit