value of a winchester 1886

[JR_22]

+-












I have a winchester 1886 40 82 cal it has 20 inch barrel with either ivory or bone inlay on the stock and forearm. The serial number is 64006 the gun is tight and smooth, its one thing to even own a 1886 but to own one that stands out among them is really a great feeling.

[JR_22]

Im new here will try to post pics

[Alpo]

Click the blue "post reply" button, instead of using the "quick reply" box.

That will open another box. At the top of it, in the icon, next to the smiley face, is a paper clip. Click on it.

That will open another box that will allow you to upload, from your computer, a maximum of 4 pictures.

If you have more, just post the first four and do more on another reply.

[JR_22]

I have a winchester 1886 40 82 cal it has 20 inch barrel with either ivory or bone inlay on the stock and forearm. The serial number is 64006 the gun is tight and smooth, its one thing to even own a 1886 but to own one that stands out among them is really a great feeling.

[JR_22]

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/atta...1&d=1342924866

[JR_22]

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/atta...1&d=1342925000

[JR_22]

hope these are good enough

[JR_22]

http://www.thefirearmsforum.com/atta...1&d=1342925318

[JR_22]

I beleave the receiver was nichol platted at one time

[Jim K]

That rifle was made in 1892. I doubt the receiver was nickel plated; it was most likely color case hardened, which was the standard finish on that model at that time.

Unfortunately, those inlays are not factory; they appear to have been done by a previous owner and, rather than increasing the value, actually reduce it. In that condition, and with the inlay "enhancement" I would value that gun at $1200 or so. Let's see what others say.

Jim

[deadin]

I wouldn't count too much on that the barrel hasn't been cut.
A rifle butt and no saddle ring points to a chop job. The only hope would be a factory letter showing a special order as 20" is not any of the standard lengths.

All that said, I still wouldn't mind owning it. Somebody was quite proud of it and put alot of work into the mods........

[JR_22]

I didn"t figure the inlays were factory but do know the government gave out a rifle every now in then to indian cheifs the thought that could have been where the inlays had come from is pretty kool, maybe I will go though the cody book of records sometime but you couldn"t touch this gun for 1200, and they did come out with 20 inch barrels

[Bert H.]

JR 22,

That rifle was originally built and shipped with a standard 26" barrel. It has positively been cut down to its current length. Contact the Cody Firearms Museum research office and purchase a factory letter if you still have doubts.

The date of manufacture was January 1892. As such, I very much doubt that it was a "government gift to an indian chief". More than likely it was the handy work of a previous owner. As was pointed out by Jim K. the receiver frame was originally case color finished. When the color is worn off, the receiver becomes a bright "silvery" or "nickel" looking color.

Due to the extensive non-factory alterations, the collector value is almost non-existant. That is not to say that it has no value though. I highly suspect that somebody out there would be willing to pay more than $1200 for it, more than likely something in the $1600 - $1800 range to an interested buyer of western art. However, rest assured that it is no longer a truly valueable Winchester.

Bert

[Airdale]

Scuuzze me but what I see is a Piece of Americana, You Know...Guys that "hot rod" their guns. Sorry to the "Oh No they Changed the Original" Crowd but it is a beautiful example of American individuality and creativity. It's one of a kind and that makes it a rare and unique piece of history.

[Jim K]

Undoubtedly true. But unfortunately for that viewpoint, collectors are the ones with the money and collectors buy originality, not "American individuality and creativity."

Jim

[JR_22]

Well thanx for the insight, I have a small collection myself and its kinda like what airdale is saying theres just a peace of what some us are in the gun, I know it turns a lot of heads like a butiful women does.

[Alpo]

What Jim says is true.

I have a Model 28 S&W. About 5 years ago I bought it for around 250 bucks. They are currently selling in the 450-500 price range. Great investment. Doubled my money. Except - immediately upon receiving my gun I shipped it to a gunsmith in Texas, where, for 400 dollars, he converted it to 38/40.

Now, my gun is not worth the 650 dollars I have in it. It is not worth the 450 Model 28s are selling for. It is not even worth the 250 I paid for it. Unless I can find some other damn fool that wanted a 4" N frame in 38/40, it is worth nothing.

Custom work may be pretty. And custom work may make you happy.

But custom work totally devalues the gun.

[JR_22]

well I can see what your saying alpo but you had the gun altered verses someone a hundred years ago

[JR_22]

maybe the previous owner did or didn't do the work on the gun bert but you don't know that you can doubt what ever you want, I though the indian cheif out there just to make a point condition and history is everything a collector is looking for it comes down to who owned the gun.

[JR_22]

I love love it because its different theres not a whole lot of difference between a $1200 to $5000 gun but the condition. The big boys have a rating system abcd&f and in between each letter they score these guns and I doubt very much if they would fool around with a gun much under 5 grand anyway I must have given the wrong inpression about the gun its a rare looking peace to me and thats all that matters.

[Bert H.]

Originally Posted by JR_22

maybe the previous owner did or didn't do the work on the gun bert but you don't know that you can doubt what ever you want, I though the indian cheif out there just to make a point condition and history is everything a collector is looking for it comes down to who owned the gun.

That is where you are dead wrong... I do know for a fact that the alteration work done to that old Winchester was most definitely not factory work. That only leaves a former owner to blame. As for you last statement, that too is not true. True Winchester collectors are not concerned with who "might" have owned a specific gun. What is required, is irrefutable proof of who owned the gun, otherwise, it is just a "story". The graded condition and the factory originality are what drive the collector interest and the corresponding value.

Bert Hartman
WACA #6571L (Life member)
WACA Historian
CFM Member (1992)
Co-author "The RED BOOK of Winchester Values"

[JR_22]

you said the last owner buddy altered the gun you dont know thats for sure and it does matter who and when they done it

[deadin]

Maybe it was altered by Buffalo Bill Cody for his Wild West Show in fron of the Queen of England.
Now if you can prove that you have something, otherwise I could do the same thing to one of my Winchesters and make up a story and sell it for a whole lot more than it's worth. In the collector field it is "You have to prove your story" NOT "I have to disprove your story".

[Bert H.]

Originally Posted by JR_22

you said the last owner buddy altered the gun you dont know thats for sure and it does matter who and when they done it

Your reading skills are now questionable... I most clearly stated "More than likely it was the handy work of a previous owner".

This will be my final statement to you... You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, and that is what you are trying to do with that gun.

Bert H.

[JR_22]

I didn't beleave for once that the inlays were factory you just want argue .deadin comment about cody was insulting but true if you can prove someone like him owned it, so that would make who owns the gun does matter. You don't have any history without proof bert and I didn't make any claims about the gun only that it turned heads someone put alot work in that old gun and I like it, The sows ear comment was stupid and im done talking about it to you too.