Whats this gift worth?

I stored some of my father in laws collection in my safe while he was away. He came back today to pick up his stuff and gave me this.
Any idea what its worth? Is it worth having restored?

Winchester Model 1890 22WRF

Thats real fucking pretty. Hell ya you should restore

Nice gun.
Leave it alone.
If you just gotta, have a professional restore it. That will run into hundreds of dollars.
DO NOT let a Bubba gunsmith work on it.

It would go to a local professional. Not bubba's garage.

Anyone have an idea what its worth?

Not sure if Thor340 would do it, but if he says yes, he is exceptionally talented. Have him do it in the original rust blue.

BE VERY CAREFUL before you restore an old firearm! Many guns can lose value if you remove the old patina in favor of a "new" finish.

Get it evaluated before you do the work.

That gun looks anorexic

Very cool though. I vote for cleaning it up but leaving it original.

If it currently is functional and not in need of repair to be safe I would leave it alone, just clean it and use as is. If it requires repair and you are going to have it properly restored then go for it. It doesn't look too bad in the pictures.

FWIW, I don't know what its worth but I wouldn't be surprised if it was $700-800 or more. The older Winchester are pretty popular with collectors.

So where's the aimpoint go?

I'd leave it as is. One beautiful gun.

this

I have a few old guns that were given to me, when I first had them I wanted to make them look new. Im glad I did not.

dont do it

From my experience (which consists of almost buying one of these at two different times, but that was 2-3 years ago) they usually seem to go for about 600-700$ here. Not sure if they´d be cheaper or more expensive in the US and of course these could´ve gotten pricier since i last looked into them.


Personally, i´d leave it alone and not restore it but that´s only me.

IIRC the .22WRF is not .22LR. The cartridge (WRF) is a little bigger in diameter so a .22LR will be sloppy in the chamber. I think the ones chambered in .22 Short are the most valuable as they are the "gallery guns" you saw in the old days at the fair shooting galleries.
Still, a nice piece and I wouldn't touch it as far as refinishing.

First do not restore it. The collectable value will be higher than the restored value.

You would need to check the serial number to see which model it is. 1st, 2nd or 3rd.

The value is very dependent on the actual condition, but from the little I see I would say it is 50-60% and would estimate the actual selling price today at $400-$600.

Book value would likely be higher and if the economy ever turns around, then the selling price would go up 25%

I know CCI still makes 22 WRF ammo.

http://www.midwayusa.com/find?&sortby=1&itemsperpage=20&newcategorydimensionid=10123

Look at the values on this site. You may have a $1,000+ rifle there.


http://www.gunsinternational.com/Winchester-Model-1890-Rifles.cfm?cat_id=466

I wish it was the .22 LR version. I'd shoot the snot out of it since I have a decent supply of LR.

But since its WRF it will just have to stay in the safe. Maybe buy a couple boxes so I can say I've shot it and the WRF cartridge.

More info required.

From the 2009 Standard Catalog of Firearms...

1st model - their distinctive feature is concealed locking lugs and solid frame. Serial
numbered on the lower tang only. Built from 1890 to 1892.
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
9000 5000 2500 1250 750

2nd model - Serial numbered from 15553 to 112970 (on lower tang only) these Second
Model guns feature the same concealed locking lugs but with the added takedown feature. A Deluxe version was
offered with fancy walnut checkered straight- or pistolgrip stock and grooved slide handle.
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
6000 3500 2000 1000 500

A Deluxe version was offered with fancy walnut checkered straight- or pistolgrip
stock and grooved slide handle.
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
10000 7000 3500 2000 1000

2nd model blued standard
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
2500 1700 1500 750 250

2nd model blued deluxe
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
7500 5500 3000 1500 750

3rd model
Serial numbered from 325251 to as high as 853000 (numbered on both the lower tang and
bottom front of receiver) the distinctive feature of the Third Model is the locking cut made
on the front top of the receiver to allow the breech bolt to lock externally. A Deluxe
version was offered with fancy walnut checkered stock, straight or pistol grip with grooved
slide handle. Winchester offered many extra-cost options for this rifle that will
greatly affect the value. Secure an expert appraisal before proceeding.

From what little I see, it is worth more unmolested. Be very wary of any smith that jumps at work like this.

That said, if you choose to restore this, check into Classic Guns. They are one of the few actual restoration outfits around.

Enjoy!

Thanks guys. I'll just leave it alone.

Its a 3rd model.

Third Model
Standard
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
2000 1400 900 450 250
Deluxe
Exc. V.G. Good Fair Poor
6500 4000 2000 1000 750
NOTE: For Third Models chambered for .22 LR add 25
percent premium.

Don't touch it. Great gift. 800+ dollar gift as is.

Yours looks great!
Most sellers of these are asking too much, but they seem to sell in the $500-$850 range if the bore is still shootable and there isn't much for rust or a broken stock.
Put a little oil or light grease on the wear and moving parts areas. If you do feel it's safe to use and you use the correct ammo., just remember, I don't think there is an action release, so if you have it cocked and there is a round in the chamber, IIRC, you have to shoot it out or, you have to carefully lower the hammer, like with a cocked revolver, to be able to open the action again, to eject a chambered cartridge.

I would love to have that rifle in my collection! Very nice gift.

Guaranteed, you'll thank yourself later.

In general, refinishing most ANY gun is a mistake. I FD'd* and left my Model 27 where it got very wet, and so rusted it would not shoot. When I sold it a few years later (needed the ca$h), it was obvious to the buyer that it'd been refinished, and said it would bring a few dollars less that way.

So if a non-antique gun can be diminished by refinishing, think what a real oldie like yours would do!









*fuc dup.

Beautiful

good lord it dont need no "restoring" it's beautiful... oil it up and shoot it...

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