'94 Winchester ca 1921, 26" octagon bbl.

[I'm3rd]

I have a '94 Winchester .30 Win caliber rifle with 26" nickel steel octagon barrel and full length magazine. The original bright blue finish on the barrel and magazine is in VG or better condition, but the receiver, lever, and crescent buttplate has turned light brown with a few mottled blue streaks and spots that are either normal discoloration over time or possibly the result of a long ago cold blue job.

The main problem area for collectors is the wood. Both the shoulder stock and front handpiece have been refinished with some kind of glossy synthetic varnish that looks very nice, but I realize that it detracts from the collector value. There is no wood damage other than the normal nicks and scratches that are usually found on any gun of that age or even much less age, and the walnut buttstock has a very attractive whorled grain pattern. All markings are clear and readable, and there is no rust anywhere on the metal. The bore is not bright and shiny and it appears moderately rough when illuminated with a borelight, but the lands and grooves are clearly defined and the rifle will group 3 shots in 3"-4" at 100 yds from a benchrest position and a shooter with younger eyes than mine. However, I have saved several targets showing equally good or better groups that I shot 30 or 40 years ago with the rifle. No parts are missing or are replacements of originals. It has been in my immediate family since the mid-1960s, and has been preserved in the same overall condition that it was when acquired over 40 years ago. I would appreciate an educated estimate of it's approximate value for the purpose of assuring that I buy an adequate amount of insurance coverage.