Best way to research value of old Winchester rifles and carbines?

[Totem Polar]

BLUF: I have on old lever—and by old, I mean a model 1873—that I inherited and have lugged around as an investment. I’ve decided that the time to cash it in is now (a new instrument beckons) and I don’t know what I don’t know about moving something like this that’s probably worth a couple grand to someone. But there are people on here who know exactly how to sell an old ’73, so I figure I’ll ask the hive first, and rabbit hole second.

Thanks in advance, folks.

[Malamute]

Condition is primary importance, and being original condition right up there. In the past many well meaning people "decided to clean it up" and devalued many old guns to a fraction of their previous value by poorly done cleaning up.

Id start looking on gunbroker, and start saving/watching all similar 73s and see where they actually go in price if/when they sell. If its a shooter grade gun and a shooter grade price, you should be able to figure it out quickly. If it has any special order features, any factory made changes from a standard gun in any way, that can help the value, though once again, condition plays a huge role. I dont know much about specific prices any more, but if you want to post pictures it may help you ask the right questions and know if its a standard gun or has any special order features. Winchester had a list of extras they would do, or they would do nearly anything someone asked, for a price. The common changes may not boost it much if its a shooter grade gun, but may help it sell easier.

I think the 73 was made till about 1927.

[Borderland]

I had some luck with Guns International selling an L C Smith shotgun but it took awhile. There are a number of 73's listed there but how they came up with those prices I haven't a clue. I wouldn't take it to a dealer to find out what it's worth because they generally don't know a lot about antiques. They start digging thru Bluebooks which isn't market by a long shot.

One other thing you might try is take some pics and ask the value on the Winchesters Collectors website. I'm sure they would get you into the ballpark on the value and you might even get some action on it.

https://winchestercollector.org/forum/winchester-rifles/

[fatdog]

I think all of what the previous posters mentioned, and I would also reference what Bob Simpson is asking for https://simpsonltd.com/long-guns/winchester/winchester-rifles/

Those are all consignment rifles at Simpson, he has a big audience and does eventually sell everything for those customers, although not the absolute auction model of gunbroker.

The auction houses like Morphy, Rock Island, etc. are also pretty good barometers of what the market price currently is if you find something that is similar enough.

[entropy]

Besides Simpson, Collectors Firearms in HOU usually has a fair number up as well.

[Malamute]

In a quick look at GB, the only old orginal 73s that seem to be getting bids right at the moment are under $1000. The new production guns may have taken some of the steam out of the market of people looking for shoot-able older ones for fair prices.

[Totem Polar]

I think all of what the previous posters mentioned, and I would also reference what Bob Simpson is asking for https://simpsonltd.com/long-guns/winchester/winchester-rifles/

Those are all consignment rifles at Simpson, he has a big audience and does eventually sell everything for those customers, although not the absolute auction model of gunbroker.


Yo Mdog: I think you solved my problem.

I appreciate the input, folks!

[okie john]

First, make sure that you know exactly what you have. Winchester built more than a few guns to order so there can be almost infinite variation in barrel length, caliber, finish, sights, wood, etc. Some are worth far more than others.

I'd start by running the serial number at https://gun-data.com/winchester_73.htm#:~:text=Winchester%20Model%20187 3&text=These%20were%20manufactured%20from%201873%20t o%201923 so you know when it was made. That's a big piece of the puzzle.

Below the date charts on that page there are a few notes about variations.


Okie John

[Borderland]

In a quick look at GB, the only old orginal 73s that seem to be getting bids right at the moment are under $1000. The new production guns may have taken some of the steam out of the market of people looking for shoot-able older ones for fair prices.

I'm looking for a model 92 right now. I reload but I don't want to mess around with those old cartridges like 44-40. I'll buy a repro in a straight wall case like 357 or 44 mag. It' so much easier to reload and I can get some support if it has problems. The original rifles really aren't for people who shoot a lot even tho the ammo is out there. The originals, even in fair condition are priced above the reproductions. As you suggest, those are for collectors, not shooters.

[Malamute]

Ive seen shooter grade common type 73 guns that are mechanically OK, fair bores, but have silvered out finishes and such, that sold for around what new Miroku/Winchesters are going for. If I had a serious Jones for an old one Id just get one and buy brass and not look back, but,...if one already was set up in a modern caliber and wanted simple, the new ones do that well and by all accounts are very well made guns.

The 92s are great guns, I really like the Browning 92 I have, but I dont shoot it all that much.

[Borderland]

Ive seen shooter grade common type 73 guns that are mechanically OK, fair bores, but have silvered out finishes and such, that sold for around what new Miroku/Winchesters are going for. If I had a serious Jones for an old one Id just get one and buy brass and not look back, but,...if one already was set up in a modern caliber and wanted simple, the new ones do that well and by all accounts are very well made guns.

The 92s are great guns, I really like the Browning 92 I have, but I dont shoot it all that much.

Sounds like you have a handle on repros. I dropped a bid on a Browning 92 on Action Arms recently but that one went into the stratosphere. So did a Miroku/Win 92 on GB. I have a hard time with auction sites so I try real hard to avoid those.

I reload 44 and 357 mag already. That makes a yuge difference these days with brass, dies and bullets in short supply. I could buy one of those old timers and wait a year for brass, bullets and dies.

Check out ebay. Dies are going for 20% over retail because everyone is out of stock.

[Totem Polar]

First, make sure that you know exactly what you have. Winchester built more than a few guns to order so there can be almost infinite variation in barrel length, caliber, finish, sights, wood, etc. Some are worth far more than others.

I'd start by running the serial number at https://gun-data.com/winchester_73.htm#:~:text=Winchester%20Model%20187 3&text=These%20were%20manufactured%20from%201873%20t o%201923 so you know when it was made. That's a big piece of the puzzle.

Below the date charts on that page there are a few notes about variations.


Okie John

Good stuff. Mine was made in 1885. Not the oldest item I’ve owned, but very cool nonetheless.

[Totem Polar]

After all this great advice, I figure I owe you MoFos a pic.
:)

[awp_101]

Caliber? Or did I miss it up thread?

[Malamute]

After all this great advice, I figure I owe you MoFos a pic.
:)

Nice, a round barrel rifle. The round barrels were the supposed standard, but octagons were more popular and I believe sold many more than the rounds.

Have you measured the barrel? It looks like its been shortened, the magazine ring is usually about 3 1/2" back from the muzzle. 24" was most common and the standard length, though Winchester would make them about any length one wanted. The magazine ring placement was pretty standard on full magazine guns regardless of barrel length.

If youre interested, The Winchester Book by George Madis is a good reference work, you can find out more than you ever wanted to about most Winchester models, along with numerous pictures of the many variations seen. Many Librarys have it or can get a copy.

[Totem Polar]

Malamute, it’s 20 5/8”.

:)

[Totem Polar]

Caliber? Or did I miss it up thread?

.44-40

[awp_101]

.44-40

Bah, for an obsolete caliber like that I’ll do $400 shipped IF I can get a Midwest Industries M-Lok fore end for it, otherwise tree fiddy.;)

[fatdog]

Bah, for an obsolete caliber like that I’ll do $400 shipped IF I can get a Midwest Industries M-Lok fore end for it, otherwise tree fiddy.;)

Hey I have dies and brass and bullets for that, I will go $499 ;) but you pay for shipping

On second thought no, I have robbed Totempolar enough times....

[Totem Polar]

Hey I have dies and brass and bullets for that, I will go $499 ;) but you pay for shipping

On second thought no, I have robbed Totempolar enough times....

You’d have to buy me dinner first on this one, buddy.

:D