Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Emergency! What's this worth???

I met a guy who is selling his grandfather's Winchester Model 1895 30-40 Krag (marked .30 US on the barrel) for $1300.

It's in great condition (very good wood and the metal has only a bit of blue wear on the sharp edges), but it has one flaw: his grandfather inlaid a couple of different colored glass pieces into the wood on the buttstock and forestock. These pieces are about 3/8" x 3/8", and there are only a few of them...perhaps 3-4 on each piece of wood.

Does this destroy the collector's value?

What is it worth in this condition? What I see in the Blue Book is a value of around $3500 for the carbine (which I think it is), which would make this a great buy.

ANY help on this will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Fred

And if it helps, the serial number is 41,XXX. So it's not the very early model called the "flatside".

I'm no Krag expert,but yeh the collector value is out the window.I have seen them for less.Lets see what other guy say though.I may be wrong.

Look through auction sites for a example.Actually sold not just what they want for it.

The auction sites aren't helping. None have the extra "embellishment" that grandpa put into the stock. Ones with 85%+ blue and good wood are commanding high prices, but I need to know if this one is competitive with those or if the extra woodwork takes it out of the collectible category.

I* guess that I better sell mine.
Butch

So, what's the emergency?

I don't want to miss a great deal, and I can only afford to buy it if I can resell for a profit later. I really don't want to see it disappear because someone made up their mind faster than I did.

On the other hand, I definitely can't afford to lose money on it. Is it overpriced at $1300? Do we have any Winchester experts here?

I don't know. Maybe I'm over-reacting. I've just had such great advice from the members of the 'fire that you guys are the first ones I turn to.

Don't know a darn thing about the gun, but I think your above statement answers your own question. Pass it up and move on.

Unless something just screams "BUY ME" because it's so cheap that you don't even have to ask. And you're looking to make a profit than chances are it's not a steal, especially if it's been modified in any way like this one has.

Greed will get you every time, be careful.

I was told when a gun is altered like that or refinished it is worth 1/2 of what it would be in its original condition. You would not go wrong at that price, but it is no steal.

I can't imagine wanting to sell a firearm owned by my grandfather.

delete, reread original post.

You're right. That is weird!


.

My Grandfather also used the 30-40 Krag and busted a bunch of Elk with it...As far as value....To each his own and I own a ton of Winchester Rifles and Shotguns and won't part with any of them.

30-40 '95 Krag value...

Jayco

There was a guy who had an Army & Navy store - a couple of miles down the road who sold those rifles back in the 50's and 60's for about $50.00 and was darn glad to git it.
He still made a profit on every one of them.

As far as yours being a collector - sorry - you are out of luck on this one.

That rifle is what we call a shooter and not worth more then $400.00 unless someone had one that was broke and wanted yours for parts or unless someone had the exact parts to make yours a complete rifle again.

Who is we?

Jayco

"I met a guy who is selling his grandfather's Winchester Model 1895 30-40 Krag (marked .30 US on the barrel) for $1300."

We had a Winchester 1895 in .30 US, sporterized, set up with a peep sight, and with some inlays in the stock, recently sell for about $700 here in town as I recall. Might have gone for less. I was tempted, but couldn't quite figure out why I needed to spend $700 for another rifle. It was a good looking, nice handling, lever gun though, in very good shape. I think it had been re-blued somewhere along the line too. Looked sharp, but by no means original.

FWIW, Guy

Hey, thanks everyone.

Sometimes we need reminders of what is important in life and what is not. I think I was getting wrapped around the axle with this one.

Fred

If you are only buying to resell at a profit leave it for
someone that will enjoy it for what it is.