Winchester factory nickle ? (Bert)
A buddy of mine has a 1892, that he thinks dates to pre 1900, I don't have the serial number yet but did Winchester factory nickle guns during that era? I know the serial number will offer more info and I told him if he thinks it has a lot of value he better get a letter on it. I should have it later= UPDATE= The serial number is 129,955.
He thinks it was a wild west show gun and worth a bunch of money, it has a gaudy brass tack design in the stock. Would not be a stretch to believe it was a wild west show gun but with out some sort of documentation proving it I think he may be screwed.
I'd apreciate any thoughts on the nickle or the rumor (and how to confirm or deny) of it being a show gun.
He dog, thanks your thought mirror my suspicions.[:)]
He thinks it was a wild west show gun and worth a bunch of money, it has a gaudy brass tack design in the stock. Would not be a stretch to believe it was a wild west show gun but with out some sort of documentation proving it I think he may be screwed.
I'd apreciate any thoughts on the nickle or the rumor (and how to confirm or deny) of it being a show gun.
He dog, thanks your thought mirror my suspicions.[:)]
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I have sure seen a pile of 92s and 94s with brass tacks. Indians did that, but so have a lot of reinactors. I have also seen a bunch of black powder rifles so decorated. In and of itself it means the rifle is full of brass tacks. Unless there are documents or photos with Annie Oakly or such, it is a rifle whose value is decreased by those tacks. 0 -
Yes, Winchester did offer nickle plating as a special order finish, but it is rare, and it must be noted on the factory letter.
The factory ledgers almost never specify who bought an individual gun, or to where it was shipped. Without positive provenance of it being used by a "wild west show", it is purely heresay, and it adds absolutely nothing to the value. If the owner has no provenance, it is extremely unlikely that he will be able to find any through research. The brass tacks are definitely not factory, and without any provenance, they negatively affect the value. If the nickle plating is not factory, the graded condition of the gun is 0%, and the value drops accordingly.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bert H.
Yes, Winchester did offer nickle plating as a special order finish, but it is rare, and it must be noted on the factory letter.
The factory ledgers almost never specify who bought an individual gun, or to where it was shipped. Without positive provenance of it being used by a "wild west show", it is purely heresay, and it adds absolutely nothing to the value. If the owner has no provenance, it is extremely unlikely that he will be able to find any through research. The brass tacks are definitely not factory, and without any provenance, they negatively affect the value. If the nickle plating is not factory, the graded condition of the gun is 0%, and the value drops accordingly.
Thanks alot Bert, I'm still gonna try and get some pics of it and post them just because it is neat. If the nickle is factory verified I would estimate the gun is a 70% gun, if my estimation is correct and it letters as factory finish what would your WAG be for rough value? I know that is a tough question without pics, so hit me on the low side as this has a lot of tacks in the stock.[:D] My buddy is thinking he has a $1400.00 gun based on it having the nickel and being a wild west show (unconfirmed) gun. I was thinking he had a $500.00 shooter but maybe the factory nickle adds more value if it is rare.
On the auction side I only found this:http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=145931180 that was comparable, the nickle finish condition is about the same, but the one in this auction is likely newer and has a clean stock. So even with it being newer I would think it was worth more than the one my buddy has. the one in this auction was listed 3 times and did not sell, that tells me it may be overpriced OR not what it claims to be. It was also an undocumented but supposed show gun.
Also in your estimation does the serial number place this DOM about 1899? Thanks a lot for your time, I value your expertise greatly. I'll try and get some pics for ya to see if anything jumps out.[:)]0 -
I've got a nickle plated 1890. Or what remains of the plating. Some has flaked off, mostly on the grip tang. Rifle is in decent condition, but needs bore reline. I was thinking of trying to remove the nickle and get it reblued. Had no idea the nickle finish was rare. Probably wouldn't make much difference if I did value wise, no better than it is and after the reline. My serial is in 61569x range. Someone told me 1919 vintage? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Jeepflexin
Thanks alot Bert, I'm still gonna try and get some pics of it and post them just because it is neat. If the nickle is factory verified I would estimate the gun is a 70% gun, if my estimation is correct and it letters as factory finish what would your WAG be for rough value? I know that is a tough question without pics, so hit me on the low side as this has a lot of tacks in the stock.[:D] My buddy is thinking he has a $1400.00 gun based on it having the nickel and being a wild west show (unconfirmed) gun. I was thinking he had a $500.00 shooter but maybe the factory nickle adds more value if it is rare.
On the auction side I only found this:http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=145931180 that was comparable, the nickle finish condition is about the same, but the one in this auction is likely newer and has a clean stock. So even with it being newer I would think it was worth more than the one my buddy has. the one in this auction was listed 3 times and did not sell, that tells me it may be overpriced OR not what it claims to be. It was also an undocumented but supposed show gun.
Also in your estimation does the serial number place this DOM about 1899? Thanks a lot for your time, I value your expertise greatly. I'll try and get some pics for ya to see if anything jumps out.[:)]
What caliber is it? The answer to that question will have a large effect on the value.
Serial number 129955 was most likely manufactured in late 1899 or early 1900. Serial 103321 was the last one made on the year 1898.
If the nickle plating is factory, it will add to the collector value, but only if it still looks good. Flaking and peeling nickle plating is ugly, and will detract from the value.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bert H
What caliber is it? The answer to that question will have a large effect on the value.
Serial number 129955 was most likely manufactured in late 1899 or early 1900. Serial 103321 was the last one made on the year 1898.
If the nickle plating is factory, it will add to the collector value, but only if it still looks good. Flaking and peeling nickle plating is ugly, and will detract from the value.
Bert it is a 44-40, sorry I should have posted that originally.
The nickle is no prize winner but I do not think it is peeling, just dull, like the one in the auction I posted. Thanks agian for your time, the book close to being published yet?0 -
quote:Originally posted by Jeepflexin
Bert it is a 44-40, sorry I should have posted that originally.
The nickle is no prize winner but I do not think it is peeling, just dull, like the one in the auction I posted. Thanks agian for your time, the book close to being published yet?
No problem... but it is the little details that sometimes make a big difference in the outcome.
If the nickle plating is factory original, $1400 is dirt cheap for an early Model 1892 in 44 WCF... tacks or no tacks. In order to get closer to the estimated value, I really do need to see some pictures of it.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Fatstrat
I've got a nickle plated 1890. Or what remains of the plating. Some has flaked off, mostly on the grip tang. Rifle is in decent condition, but needs bore reline. I was thinking of trying to remove the nickle and get it reblued. Had no idea the nickle finish was rare. Probably wouldn't make much difference if I did value wise, no better than it is and after the reline. My serial is in 61569x range. Someone told me 1919 vintage?
Model 1890 serial number 615720 was the last serial number applied on September 4th, 1918. Your rifle will predate that by a few days.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Bert H.
No problem... but it is the little details that sometimes make a big difference in the outcome.
If the nickle plating is factory original, $1400 is dirt cheap for an early Model 1892 in 44 WCF... tacks or no tacks. In order to get closer to the estimated value, I really do need to see some pictures of it.
Thanks and I understand, I'll get the rifle in my hands in the next few days and take some good pics and I'll re-post then.[:)]0
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