Author Topic: What are Winchesters worth????  (Read 564 times)

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Offline AuProspector

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What are Winchesters worth????
« on: February 18, 2007, 08:39:16 AM »
A little over 4 years ago I was helping out a friend of mine who owned a gun store.  I was basically working for guns and I ended up with a number of Winchester rifles from the 6.5x55 to the mighty 458 Win Mag... shortly there after, I was hurt in a horse riding accident which banged up my shooting shoulder.  The guns (some of them unfired) have been sitting in my safe ever since.

I just had a second surgery a few weeks ago and I don't know if I'll be able to shoot the heavier caliber rifles... do you have any idea what the Winchester model 70s in their standard, Super Grade, and African models would be worth?  A ball park figure would be fine as I may have to get rid of them (I won't know until I recover from the lastest surgery). 

I know that Winchester is out of business but I've heard that they maybe reproduced in the future but I have no idea what I could get for these guns.... they are like new or new unfired condition.

Thanks for your help.
AuProspector

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Offline Dave in WV

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Re: What are Winchesters worth????
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2007, 09:25:03 AM »
Take a look at Gunbroker.com and watch the bidding is the only true way I know of. Right now it seems the going price is what the buyer is willing to pony up.
Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others; it is the only means
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Offline jvs

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Re: What are Winchesters worth????
« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2007, 09:55:43 PM »
Unless you are 70 or 80 years old, it might be time to sit back and let the dust settle a little bit.  Even though anything is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it, this is a bad time to figure out what Winchesters are worth.  Alot of people are paying too high a price for them.  In some cases, the price may be too low.

I have been to Gun Shows and I see used Winchesters there, but none are priced much higher than other makes and models.  If yours are NIB, then it might pay for you to sit on them a few years until the collectible market forms for the desirable ones.

There is no doubt in my mind that if you own Super Grade and African models, that they may end up being the higher demand rifles in the future.  In either case, if they stay unfired and in the box, they aren't eating anything.  Your costs are fixed at this point, your potential for losing money on your purchases is completely zero.  While you might be able to ride the wave of speculation that other people are willing to pay right now, I believe you would be much better off waiting until the dust settles in a few years.  Nothing says that another gunmaker might buy the Winchester name and start production again.  What you don't know is how complete that line of production might be.  If nobody decides to make Winchester again, you are way ahead.  If another Company does make a Winchester Model or two, I think you are still way ahead.

That is what I would do if I had your rifles in the condition you say they are in.  It would be worth the gamble for me.

 If you want to run with the Wolves, you can't Pee with the Puppies.