1892 Winchester 32-20..Value?
We have an 1892 Winchester 32-20 that we are considering selling, but not sure what to ask for it. Does anybody know what is a fair value? Are there any good price guides out there for antique firearms? As far as the condition, it has its original finish and a nice patina. It has one rust spot on the butt, and the loading spring has broken off, but it still loads and shoots just fine. The serial number dates it to 1897. What do you think the value is?
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For a rifle like this one, we will need to see good photos. Condition is much of the value of collectable rifles, and if not all original the value drops. 1897 may very well not be correct, as most of the published dates for Winchester manufacture are not. BertH will be along to give you some information, but if in the mean time you could post some high quality photos that would help a great deal. 0 -
As He Dog mentioned, a set of clear, well illuminated, and detailed pictures is needed to come up with a reasonably close value estimate.
I very much doubt that it is an 1897 vintage Model 1892. The currently published serial number tables for the Model 1892 are in error by as much as 3-years, and the last serial number made in the year 1898 was 103321. I suspect that the serial number on your Model 1892 is greater than that number, which would make it a "modern" firearm versus an "antique". "Antique" Winchesters are worth more $$$ than those that are legally "modern" firearms.0 -
According to the Madis book, serial numbers of an 1892 in 1897 started with 144936 and ended with 159312.
Bert says the last serial number for 1898 is 103321. Madis say the last serial number in 1898 is 165431. That's a 62110 gun difference!!!
Can Madis be that far off?????0 -
quote:Originally posted by brotus2
According to the Madis book, serial numbers of an 1892 in 1897 started with 144936 and ended with 159312.
Bert says the last serial number for 1898 is 103321. Madis say the last serial number in 1898 is 165431. That's a 62110 gun difference!!!
Can Madis be that far off?????
Read Bert's sticky regarding this issue and you will find out first hand...no better way than to read it for yourself.0 -
quote:Originally posted by brotus2
According to the Madis book, serial numbers of an 1892 in 1897 started with 144936 and ended with 159312.
Bert says the last serial number for 1898 is 103321. Madis say the last serial number in 1898 is 165431. That's a 62110 gun difference!!!
Can Madis be that far off?????
In answer to your question, YES, Madis is that far off! If you think a 62,220 gun difference is big (and it really is), try this on for size... for the Model 1894, the last "Antique" serial number is 53941, and Madis listed it as 147684... a whopping difference of 93,743 serial numbers!!0 -
Bert: Can you recco a better reference book than Madis. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by brotus2
Bert: Can you recco a better reference book than Madis.
Yes... for serial numbers that are letterable, contact the Cody Firearms Museum (if you are a member, serial number searchs are free of charge). They have all of the original factory ledgers and records that were turned over to them by Winchester in the mid 1970s.
For serial numbers that can not be lettered, your best source of information is yours truly. That said, for a number of Models, there are some very good reference sources (e.g. Ned Schwing covers all of the .22 slide-action models in great detail in his book, Herb Houze did a wonderful job with the Model 52 in his book, and Roger Rule covered the Model 70 quite well). Now, and as it stands today, none of the online internet sites have correct data, as they all simply copied George Madis' works. Other sources such as the Blue Book of Gun Values did the same thing. Eventually, I will compile and publish a new Winchester serialization book, but it takes a tremendous amount of time and research. As it stands today, I have detailed information for several models (1885, 1893, 1894, 1897/97, 53, 55, 64, and 71), and decent information for several others, but overall, I have less than 50% of the information that is available. My dedicated research time is limited to my annual trip to Cody, and I always cram in as much research as possible before, between, and after the two Winchester gunshows that are held in the second half of the month. Someday in the future, I will hopefully have more time to complete my research.0 -
For serial nos. that are not available at Cody I have listings for many of the Winchester models. 0 -
The serial number starts with 1289**, so would that be 1897 or later? I'll load a couple of pictures on my photobucket and post the link in a little while so you can see the gun condition, etc.
Thanks for your help.0 -
Here is a link to my Winchester album..hope the pics are close enough for you to tell the condition..
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v14/junkyardcat/Winchester/0 -
quote:Originally posted by fourstardaydream
The serial number starts with 1289**, so would that be 1897 or later? I'll load a couple of pictures on my photobucket and post the link in a little while so you can see the gun condition, etc.
Thanks for your help.
The partial serial number you posted indicates 1901.0
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