winchester worth

Question
I have a Winchester, model 1894, .30 cal lever action rifle s/n 789410, manufacture new haven, in fairly good condition, what is it worth?

Answer
Steve,

Thanks for your question.  To get a really accurate value on the gun, I would need much more information and would need to see detailed photos of the gun or see the gun itself.  You should understand that without the additional information, I am just speculating based on the small amount of information provided.

The Model 1894 was one of the most popular guns ever produced.  Between 1894 and 2006 when production of the rifle ended there were over 5.5 million of them made.  Early versions of the rifle were made in five different variations that I am aware of.  There may have been a couple more versions that I am not aware of.  The versions are identified by things like barrel length, whether the barrel was octagonal or half-octagonal, whether it was a takedown version or not, etc.  Also, I am assuming that the caliber reference is you made is .30 WCF which is actually a .30-30 caliber.

Based on the serial number, your gun would have been built in the first half of 1916.  

Unfortunately "fairly good condition" means very little to me in terms of a description.  Grading the condition of a firearm requires that a person understand the standards used to evaluate old guns.  There are literally entire chapters of books written on what different gradings entail.  I can give you some idea of the value, but at best, it will be a ballpark figure.

Overall, you are probably looking at around $1000 on the lower end unless it is really in poor condition.  In 90% condition, which would be a really clean and well preserved specimen, you'd be looking at more like $2000.  Depending on the condition of your rifle and which model it might be (most likely it is a standard carbine...) it could be anywhere in between the two values.  Unfortunately, that is about as close as I can get based on what you have told me.

If you are serious about selling it, I'd suggest that you get in touch with an antique gun dealer (not someone who just sells antiques...they need to know old guns).  Get some really detailed photos or take the gun in for an appraisal.  It would most likely be worth the money the appraisal would cost unless it is pretty beat up...

Sorry I can't be more helpful...

Doug Little