Hi Gang:

    As some of you know from my post below about the purchase of a Win. 1885 rifle, I received a some replies as to what a fair price would be for this rifle.

    My friend who has the gun for sale just called me and he claimed that he had the gun apprised today by a gun shop for $3750.00.  I read all of the posts that you guys sent me but he still is worth the $3750.00 since it it is an a very rare caliber, 32-40, that makes it worth much more than the $2000.00 that I offered.  I suggested that he take the gun back to the gun shop tomorrow and sell it as the owner of the gun shop thinks that it is very valuable.  Oh yes, the gun shop owner claimed that the mid sight was not orginal, the rear tang sight was bent, the gun was very rusty as it should have a  blued finish and it needed a professional cleaning.  He claimed that the steel was not covered with a patina but was badly rusted.

     In any case, I am not spending that much money! It is interesting but not at that price.

     Any comments regarding the above post?

                                                             Thanks to all,

                                                              Zeke

     

Zeke,
It is interesting the if dealer thinks the 32-40 is rare he is not very knowledgeable in High Walls. If it is in the condition the dealer states "mid sight was not orginal, the rear tang sight was bent, the gun was very rusty" and "steel was not covered with a patina but was badly rusted." His price is way over the top for the condition if it is as bad as that. It is always posable that it is indeed a rare gun but I would think it unlikely. 
Now if the boxes of factory Ammo are from the 1880's and they go with the rifle the price may still not be bad and may in fact be where the value is.
Cheers,
Laurie

Most gunshop owners wouldn't know an origional Winchester 1885 from their elbow. I have been told a shocking amount of aftermarket stuff was "Factory original". I have seen every thing from P.O. Ackley stamped barrels to Paul Shuttleworth palmrests tried to be passed off as "rare factory".The single most over used description when dealing with Winchesters is the word "rare". As in rare Winchester wooden stocks. Or rare Winchester with Brass buttplate. Or as in Rare Winchester Serial number 345XX, Only one left the factory so marked. If your friend wants that much for a rusty High wall let him sell it on Fleabay there are enough fools there to buy into such nonsense. 

40 Rod

My advice is to let your friend offer the gun on the market, and give him a reserve price you are willing to pay. If he is a friend you want him to get as much as possible for the gun . Something that has worked for me in the past is give them a check, you will know if he accepts the offer when the check is cashed. You can only do this with somebody you know and trust.

I had a friend who had been told his poor condition Ballard was worth high dollar and after a few months cashed my check for 1/3 of what he thought it was worth.  I used the gun for a while then sold it to a competitor at a match for exactly what I paid. Selling are re-selling price set the market price not what some "expert" who would not put cash on the line appraised it for.

On High walls, and I am down this path with a Low Wall action so know what I am speaking about.  Buy a rough one for 2000 you are going to  double the buying price to come up with something worth owning.  Stock work barrel work add sights loading tools molds etc.  

That is unless somebody wants to own a gun with "Patina",  that generally means dirty from standing in the corner of the Kitchen for 100 years in Gun traders language

Boats

Did I post on the wrong thread.?? If so no problem I will start a new one. Whitey

Laurie after talking to you I went and looked at the rifle as I had never seen it just talked about it. This rifle is as close to new as I have ever seen. And still in the wood case etc. That it was given to his grand dad in as a retirement present at the time of his retirement. from the railroad. so for sure it is not a parts rifle as I first thought. I just got to decide if I want to trade for it.  Whitey

Thanks fellows. I am thinking about the trade. The problem is #1 I am not a big HW fan. I know I am crazy  but the LW's are my favorite. And the car he wants to trade it in on. I don't want to get rid of it. So if I make The deal I would just sell the HW. Then I would not have the special car. Just money and we all know what we do with that> SPEND It. So.?? Whitey