Time For A Treat (Be Sure to Be Sitting Down)

[COSteve]

Over on ARFCOM, just after Christmas this guy posts that his dad has a Winchester Model 94 in 38-55 with a s/n of 13xxx in excellent condition that's been in the family for generations and wonders if it's worth much. The first reply says without seeing it it must be worth at least $10K because with an under 14xxx s/n it's a true 1894 model 94 and the OP can't believe it.

Without any pictures the guys just say, yep it must be worth some and they ask for pictures. Fast forward to last Wednesday, 2/1/12 and he finally gets set up and posts some pictures of one of the most beautiful rifles I've ever seen.

Then yesterday, he posts again saying " Holly Stuff!" with a link to Gun Values Board where an appraiser explains just what his dad has ..... starting out by writing,

"If you are not sitting down, please do so now... and if your father is in the vicinity, have him sit down as well."

Here's the link with the appraisal and pictures. Scroll up to see his request and the pictures and then follow along with the appraisal. Enjoy: Winchester Model 1894 s/n 13,826

[Blaine]

I love it when nice things happen to people That sure was a pretty shooter.

[gamekeeper]

WOW

[FatJackDurham]

Fantastic.

[Borregos]

A treat indeed

[iceman]

I would have to be sitting down to receive news like that. Good for him!! I wish I could stumble on something like that in the back of a closet.

[Old Ironsights]

Sitting down heck.

I'd have told him to make sure Dad had his Nitro pills handy.

[KirkD]

That is the most beautiful Model 1894 I have ever seen and in the most desirable caliber too.

[kimwcook]

Wow, is right. 30G's. I can only dream my family had something like that in the closet. Unfortunately, I know they don't. I don't either.

[gak]

Steve, I'm getting a "you are not authorized"--any ideas?

[Mike D.]

Bert is a friend if mine and is very knowledgeable about Winchesters and their ACTUAL value. Personally, I can't see $30K for any 1894, but what do I know. It is a fantastic rifle and it is easy to see where a collector who "needs" the gun to add to his collection will go that distance to obtain it. Winchester rifles and shotgun values have skyrocketed in the last few years and are a MUCH better investment than gold or any other commodity.

[jdad]

Bert is a friend if mine and is very knowledgeable about Winchesters and their ACTUAL value. Personally, I can't see $30K for any 1894, but what do I know. It is a fantastic rifle and it is easy to see where a collector who "needs" the gun to add to his collection will go that distance to obtain it. Winchester rifles and shotgun values have skyrocketed in the last few years and are a MUCH better investment than gold or any other commodity.

I know Bert too and he is knowledgeable, but 30K......10-15k sure.....but what do I know. It's still nice and worth a crapload of cash.

[O.S.O.K.]

That's like finding a nice car in your closet

Very nice piece.

Unless I were in dire need of the cash, I'd be keeping that for sure -will only get more valuable...

[J Miller]

Hmmmmm, that is a nice 94. But the important thing is .... how does it shoot?

Joe

[Paladin]

Wow, is right. 30G's. I can only dream my family had something like that in the closet. Unfortunately, I know they don't. I don't either.

+1

[COSteve]

Steve, I'm getting a "you are not authorized"--any ideas?

Not a clue. I works for me and I'm not a member.

[rjohns94]

That's a beauty for sure

[1894c]

WOW

+1 on the WOW...

[Aussie Chris]

What a fantastic classic '94. Jealous much?

It's worth what someone is prepared to pay for it..

[olyinaz]

Easily the prettiest Mod 1894 I've ever seen. Incredible.

Oly

[bgmkithaca]

Holy smokes, easily the best piece I have ever seen. I love it when something like this comes up.
I am choking i my own drool.

[win38-55]

Nice Rifle. I would have to go shoot it.ASAP.

[piller]

Very nice. Hope they insure it. I would have to shoot it, too, just to see how accurate it is.

[Shasta]

That's a beauty! Believe it or not, a couple years back there was a near twin to it for sale at the Lions Club Gun Show in Redding, California. The vendor claimed his rifle had every available factory option with the exception of checkering. He had it priced at $22,500. He also had an equally beautiful 1886 Winchester priced at $35,000!

SHASTA

[Pete44ru]

FWIW, SN 13xxx, dates from 1896, not 1894 - so the subject gun is not a 1st year gun.

.

[Mike D.]

Most dealers purposefully use the oldest date of manufacture list that they can find. It enhances their guns in the eyes of buyers and gives them the ability to claim ignorance when the buyer tries to letter their antique or first year gun and finds out that it is not. It's all a game to them, with most being fully aware of what they are selling.

[jdad]

Most dealers purposefully use the oldest date of manufacture list that they can find. It enhances their guns in the eyes of buyers and gives them the ability to claim ignorance when the buyer tries to letter their antique or first year gun and finds out that it is not. It's all a game to them, with most being fully aware of what they are selling.

Case in point, LGS had an 1894, 25-35, that the serial number sequentially placed it in 1899. I showed the shop the proof marks, on the barrel and receiver and said it was no earlier than July 1907. They got their $1250, from someone I know, that didn't know.

[Mich Hunter]

The current owner of that rifle (I am in contact with him on AR15.com) is working on joining here as soon as his email is confirmed. He would like to comment also on this fine rifle.

[AJMD429]

Steve, I'm getting a "you are not authorized"--any ideas?

Your significant other probably put a block on your internet browser that prevents you from looking at stuff you can't afford but would really like to have...

...maybe I need one of those... !!!

[1894cfan]

When I saw those pics I had trouble breathing and my heart started going piter-pat!!!!

[handirifle]

I am not a fan of heirlooms but that one IS a keeper. Good for him.

[1badf350]

I just realized when I joined I forgot to come here and thank you all. One day I will have to take some really good pics of this rifle and post them up.