Quick question about the value of an old winchester

[Solidsnake87]

I have a US model of 1917 winchester rifle. Its a bolt action .30-06. I was wondering the value of the rifle. The wood is in excellent condition and there are signs of normal wear. The rifle is little used and quite accurate. I was just wondering what the possible price tag on such a rifle might be. There are no accessories on it. Its just stock with iron sights. Hopefully I placed this post in the right place. LOL.

[TonyNorCal]

This might be a good place to ask.

The Collector Forum is their version of a general area and it gets the most traffic.

http://www.gunboards.com/forums/

[xenophobe]

Winchester is the most desirable, and were also made by Remington and Eddystone. If the finish is original and the parts are matching, and if you have the correct stock with proper cartouches you can probably expect to get anywhere from $600-$900 for 70%-95% original finish, depending on overall condition, which is hard to grade without seeing it. If it is dead mint, then it can command a pretty high price tag, subject to what somoene is willing to pay for it, if it's in less than 60% condition, it would fall in the $350-$550 range.

You would really need to have someone who knows how to grade a firearm to determine a value.

[metalhead357]

You would really need to have someone who knows how to grade a firearm to determine a value.

And a probable long wait to get a buyer on the "value" that Xen~ is talking about; lest we all forget the CMP was just selling these things (until they ran out) for what $400????

I'd do just as Xen mentioned- get it appraised- but I'd get at least two appraisels (it never hurts) and cruze on over to gunbroker~ take a look at some that sell there for what the "market" will bear.

Do ya' have the ability to post a pic of this bad boy?

[xenophobe]

And a probable long wait to get a buyer on the "value" that Xen~ is talking about; lest we all forget the CMP was just selling these things (until they ran out) for what $400????

That's in-store retail value I'm mentioning. DCM/CMP prices do not reflect market value, just as dealer or distributor prices reflect retail market value. And, most purchasers are not members of a gun club and have the qualifying match to purcahse CMP guns.

Any standard 'rack grade' garand will retail at $800 or more depending on manufacturer, mint collector grade Garands will start at $1100 and go up... Mint unmodified WW2 garands can hit close to $2k. And don't even get me started on M1 Carbine values.... those have shot up over 200% in some cases in the last two years alone.

And Blue Book listings? Those don't matter and are only an indicator of what prices were 6 months to a year before the particular book was published. Mostly Colt and USGI firearms are sometimes $100-$1000 undervalued from what the BB value will show, and in some circumstances are overvalued by 200-300% or more (look at Krags for an example).

[Solidsnake87]

The rifle is 100% matching with no custom work done to it. We just slipped a recoild pad over the back cuz its got a lot of horsepower to it. There are minor scratches on the left side of the rifle (the side facing a right handed shooter). Here are some pics. I'll look into some appraisals

[Solidsnake87]

Here is a pic of the minor scratches

[Solidsnake87]

Hopefully these pics are good enough for you guys to give an educated guess.

[Mssr. Eleganté]

OUCH!!!!!!

[jdberger]

Contrary to your assertion, there has been some custom work done to it. From just a quick glance it appears that the original stock has been swapped out or <gasp> cut down (there is some pretty nice checkering, though).

This is what it would look like in original condition.



Without the original stock, the value really plummets.

[xenophobe]

Butchered...

$250-$275 would be a fair price for it.

Stock replaced, barrel band removed, front sight removed, sporterized front sight installed, rear sight removed, sight protection 'leaves' milled down. Drilled and tapped for commercial sight.

The gun is far from original and has been sporterized. A common practice with these rifles from the 40s,50s and 60s.

[metalhead357]

Ouch is right~ that thing is far from original; I think Xen~ called it on a "fair" price as its sits not knowing the TE or MW on this bad boy.

Maybe I missed it in the post(s) but where are you? That will only slightly affect price but some here might be able to direct you towards a decent appraiser.

Are you actually looking to sell this thing or just wondering its worth??????

[Solidsnake87]

Hmm. This is interesting. I was pretty sure that it was not custom though. Oh well, at least its accurate.

[metalhead357]

Are you actually looking to sell this thing or just wondering its worth??????

inquiring minds want to know..........

[Solidsnake87]

I'll take it out to get it appraised. I'd have to discuss it with some family because it holds a certain sentimental value. I'll be sure to let those interested know. I have some old shotguns I know nothing about that I am more than happy to be rid of. I'll post pics and models soon. I also have a 100% mint and 100% original ww2 m1 carbine with the original packaging, carry bag, sling, 30 round mag, 20 round mag, and 10 round mag. I may sell it if the offer is lucrative enough. No promises though.