Need help with a gun value...

ghenshaw · Feb 19, 2018

Hi all,

I'm getting ready to sell an old gun I inherited. Problem is I only have a vague idea what it's worth. It's a Winchester 1892 in .25-20 with a 24” octqgonal barrel. Serial number indicates it was made in 1904. It's in rough shape - no remaining blueing, lots of blooming, and some straight up surface rust. The action is smooth, though. I haven't actually shot it but it sure looks and feels like it's in functioning condition. Any idea what I should ask for it?

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tony b · Feb 19, 2018

Any pictures?

ghenshaw · Feb 19, 2018

Yep.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/id92htmdteg26vc/AAAMwYHFYot_TlydWncDvJmha?dl=0

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engineerbrian · Feb 19, 2018

Damn thats a sweet gun.

Jimbob2.0 · Feb 19, 2018

Not bad at all, I am a bit behind in Winchester values but I would wager $1,000 to $1,500 easy if the bore is good.

ghenshaw · Feb 19, 2018

Jimbob2.0 said:
Not bad at all, I am a bit behind in Winchester values but I would wager $1,000 to $1,500 easy if the bore is good.

That much, even with the rust?

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Jimbob2.0 · Feb 19, 2018

ghenshaw said:
That much, even with the rust?

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Depends on the bore, Ive seen worse for more.

ghenshaw · Feb 19, 2018

Jimbob2.0 said:
Depends on the bore, Ive seen worse for more.

I don't know what to look for to evaluate the bore. I'm kind of new to this. Would you ecommend taking it to a gunsmith before putting it up for sale?

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Jimbob2.0 · Feb 19, 2018

ghenshaw said:
I don't know what to look for to evaluate the bore. I'm kind of new to this. Would you ecommend taking it to a gunsmith before putting it up for sale?

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Never hurts I am sure someone could give you the name of an experienced smith dealer.

For a quick gauge open the action make sure the gun is unloaded and use a light at one end while looking down the barrel. If you see rifling good, the brighter the better but I would expect it took dark and possibly with a little frost. At a minimum some debris in the grooves. If its smooth its probably a sewer pipe. Inspect the muzzle for obvious gouges near the muzzle crown.

ghenshaw · Feb 19, 2018

OK. Will post what I find. Thanks.

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ghenshaw · Feb 19, 2018

Gotta clean it first though...

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Squaregrouper · Feb 19, 2018

ghenshaw said:
Gotta clean it first though...

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Do not, I repeat DO NOT do any cleaning that will take away the character and "oldness" of the rifle. Many people have turned $2000 guns into $200 guns with "excessive" cleaning.
Where are you located? I'm sure one of us could help you clean it the safe way and inspect the bore at the same time.
The antique gun show in Timonium is coming up soon. That would be the easiest place to sell it. However, do not accept the offers as soon as you walk in the door. There are professional low ballers with tons of cash there.
I too agree with $1000-$1500 unless the bore is trashed.

ghenshaw · Feb 19, 2018

Thanks - I know not to clean up the outside. That's why I haven't even tied to remediate the rust, because I don't know how to do that safely. I meant that I need to run a bore brush through it before trying to evaluate the bore. I only inherited it a few years ago, but given it's history it probably hasn't seen a cleaning patch in fifty years.

I assume that pushing a brass bore brush and some cleaning patches through it is safe?

That's interesting about Timonium. I was planning on selling it on gunbroker but maybe in person would be better.

I'm in Fulton, HoCo. Anybody around there?

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Squaregrouper · Feb 19, 2018

ghenshaw said:
Thanks - I know not to clean up the outside. That's why I haven't even tied to remediate the rust, because I don't know how to do that safely. I meant that I need to run a bore brush through it before trying to evaluate the bore. I only inherited it a few years ago, but given it's history it probably hasn't seen a cleaning patch in fifty years.

I assume that pushing a brass bore brush and some cleaning patches through it is safe?

That's interesting about Timonium. I was planning on selling it on gunbroker but maybe in person would be better.

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Brass bore brush and patches will be fine.
The Timonium antique show (baltimoreshow.com) is a quick and easy way to sell it. At the least, it is a way to find a ton of free appraisals from a lot of guys into old Winchesters.

Threeband · Feb 19, 2018

"Patina."

Squaregrouper · Feb 19, 2018

Threeband said:
"Patina."

Expensive word for old and rusty.

Jerry M · Feb 19, 2018

Take it to the Maryland Arms Collector Show in March!

Boom Boom · Feb 19, 2018

Yeah. For the love of God, DO NOT clean that gun. It's worth maximum value exactly as is. Like SG said, if you clean the patina off, it's value goes down the toilet.

lowoncash · Feb 19, 2018

Research how many .25-20 were made for that model. I don't recall which model Winchester it was but I think one of them .25-20 brings a premium.

Jimbob2.0 · Feb 19, 2018

Brass bore brush on a poly coated rod. Rub (no steel or brass wool) with light oil like Rem, Hoppes or CLP for the rest.

Once you know a little more you can contemplate working the wood with raw linseed oil (not boiled, BLO is fine for some applications but you want something that is gentler. ).

Need help with a gun value...

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