Advice on how to sell an incomplete old shotgun...

[renardsubtil]

Hey CG,

As hard as it is for me to part with it, I have a Winchester 1897 that I'm trying to decide how to best part out. It's not a very pretty shotgun, it's got a few broken parts that aren't worth fixing, I could use the money, and it has no sentimental value. I already have a cherry 1897 that I'm keeping but I can't justify having this one around for a spare parts gun since I don't shoot my 1897 that often to really break anything.

Anyways, what's the best way to part this shotgun out? Piece by piece or one lot? I'm considering using Gunbroker since I need to build up some feedback on that site.

Thanks in advance.
-M

[AJAX22]

It will sell for more as parts than as a whole... particularly the 1897...

the wood is particularly valuable if its in good shape.

gunbroker is a very good outlet. just don't screw yourself on shipping costs.

What year 1897 is it? if its a pre 1898 one I've been looking for a project

[renardsubtil]

Ty Ajax.
I've looked at the GB listing for 1897 parts, they just seem a little tedious to figure out how much each part should be and stuff, I'll have to sit down and give it a good look again I guess.

It's a pre-C series 1897, the ejector is a lil different on it (see below)

[AJAX22]

Yeah thats an antique.... as such it may be worth more as a complete gun since there is no paperwork nececary to transfer it

[renardsubtil]

This ones quite beat to hell, pitting every where, the adjustment sleeve is on the last notch, and the previous owner had it blued - I've actually removed the bluing because it was so crappy (I used distilled vinegar and obviously rinsed it well with water and gave it a coating of oil).

The internals are clean and smooth though so I figured I might try and get some money out of the innards.

[AJAX22]

This ones quite beat to hell, pitting every where, the adjustment sleeve is on the last notch, and the previous owner had it blued - I've actually removed the bluing because it was so crappy (I used distilled vinegar and obviously rinsed it well with water and gave it a coating of oil).

The internals are clean and smooth though so I figured I might try and get some money out of the innards.

I dig ugly...

how much money do you need out of it? and what would you swap for it?

Seriously though...

I'm trying really hard to be objective about this when the little toy aquiring voice in my head is jumping around screaming "WANT"....

I've been doing some research.... and I THINK because its an antique early model... you can get the most for it by selling it complete....

And you may get a LOT for it... as in upwards of $700 possibly... It all has to do with how you write the ad for it.

You have an antique, non firearm which is made with good metal and fully shootable today (with a little work)

Its in a common modern cartridge chambering, and is made by a recognized brand name popular manufacturer...

If it wasn't antique you would maximize your profit by parting it out... but since it is antique, you'll command a premium for the complete item.

[renardsubtil]

I'll send you a PM.
It's not my intend to advertise a sale in the C&R Forum and don't wanna get in trouble with mods.

This is good information though as I'm sure a lot of people out there have projects or inherited them and haven't found out how to sell them....

[AJAX22]

I'll send you a PM.
It's not my intend to advertise a sale in the C&R Forum and don't wanna get in trouble with mods.

This is good information though as I'm sure a lot of people out there have projects or inherited them and haven't found out how to sell them....

No worries, An honest apprasal of its value puts it well outside of my toy budget....

[gunboat]

It will, of course, sell for most money as parts. But, are all the parts sellable? Some bits will fly out the door, others you may never sell.

[Mike A]

I'd sell it as-is by advertising on a website for Cowboy Action shooters. Let it be THEIR fun project! Since it is pre-98, you can just ship it direct to the buyer, saving transfer costs, etc. Just make sure you describe it accurately. 1897 parts aren't that hard to find. Good luck!

[Asphodel]

renard,

I'll quite concur with Mike A.

It would be a shame to part out that early one, when one of the 'Cowboy Action' folks would happily make it their project.

The adjusting sleeve being on its last notch is the least of problems. With a bit of looking, one should be able to find an original 'No. 1 heavy draw' factory replacement sleeve, which were regularly available as a spare part. I've fitted those myself to tighten up 97's and 12's which had worn on the receiver and barrel sleeve faces. Its a simple job to replace the sleeve, but sometimes the original sleeve will be well and truly 'stuck', requiring some very gentle heat to remove them.

The Winchester parts dept also offered a 'No. 2 heavy draw' sleeve, for really badly worn guns, which, from your description, would be a bit too much draw.

cheers

Carla

[renardsubtil]

Oh, don't get me wrong the takedown barrel mounts up nice and tight, I mentioned the adjustment notches to imply that it was possibly on it's last leg, good to know that there are replacements though as I've got a cherry 1897 that I plan on shooting a long while....

[metalliman545]

Its a model 1897 doesn't mean it was built in 1897. I have a take down model winchester 1897 that was built in 1916