Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Win 88 question

I have an 88 in a 308. Rifle is in nice condition except for one thing. The previous owner had the front sight removed. It appears to have been a professional job, but it still has the rear sight. What might I expect to get for the rifle if I sell it. LGS has a rifle that I'm not sure I can live without so might see if I can move it along. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Pre 64 or post? Your gun in my opinion is a shooter without the front sight.308 cal is the most common cal too. Without seeing pics, I would guess $450 - $550. Depends on condition.

$500 tops. To remove the front sight would require a reblue as the ramp is soldered on, unless they cut the barrel shorter. Either way kills that gun's originality. If by chance they just removed the front sight insert and left the ramp intact would bump it into $650 and above based on condition. Pre's and posts don't affect 88's nearly as much as model 70's. There is not a whole lot of difference in them. The very earliest ones with very low serial numbers and cloverleaf tangs bring a little more but again not $100 more than a similar condition post 64 model 88. That is how they run around here. In my opinion there are a lot better choices for a hunting rifle.

450 to 550 is very likely the value.

Beg to differ regarding "not a lot of difference between pre and post rifles" the pre'64 models have cut checkering and the post'64's have that ugly pressed basket weave with oak leaf.

On some gun appraisal books they actually state the post 64 models are just as valuable due to action improvements!. But no doubt the wood in the pre 64 is better quality.

I believe that the action improvements were completed before the post '64's appeared. Winchester added a letter suffix to the S/N to indicate this, I owned an "A" suffix rifle and never had any action related issues.

Believe me that the early pre 64 guns work fine and are way better collector guns. Especially the 358 clover leaf tang guns.

Thanks for sharing what the A means on the numbers. Since the 88 used model 70 barrels it makes perfect sense the pre 64 models would be more desirable. I was just sharing what I read........I do not buy it one second.

What's not to like?

Nice rifle...$400 - 600
Bought mine a few years back for around $550 with better than average scope

Thanks guys...sounds like I'm right there where it needs to be. Hopefully I can get it sold in time to cash in on the rifle I am wanting. Thanks again-Eddie

What's not to like? The ugly pressed basketweave with the oak leaf on a stock that looks like it was made from a shipping pallet. Frotunately Winchester did not commit such sacrilidge with the metal.

I got it sold, but a little too late for the rifle I wanted. My LGS had gotten in a Ruger #1 in a 6.5 Swede. Sold it in a day or 2. But, he had gotten a Rem 700 Classic in the Swede in and I am going to get it. So...a caliber I have wanted, but would have given anything to had the little #1. It was a beautiful rifle. Thanks to all for your information.

A Ruger number one in 6.5?

Me thinks the # 1 platform should be a 45 70 to take advantage of a most excellent action.

Angus...you're sure to not like the No. 1 I just got. It is in a 22/250...lol. If the Swede was too small up against the 45/70, the little 22 caliber wouldn't make the cut either. Honestly, not sure why I got it except it was a No. 1, priced right, and I have wanted a #1 or 2 since I sold/swapped my last one about 25 yrs. ago. I'll shoot it a little bit, and when something else comes along I like, it will probably be expendable as the only thing that I will shoot around here with it is paper.

I have 2 post 64 and 3 pre 64s...the post 64 wood is much nicer and the pressed checkering I kinda like...it's better than the pocket knife cut checkering on the pre 64.. Actions seem to cycle smother alsoon the post...
Your rifle might be a good canadate for a 358 rebore...esp if it's been shortened..

I am too fat and old to pack such a heavy barrel.

One needs a big hollow tube.........just my lazy assessment of a rifle.

Plus the number one is world famous for strength of action. Puts it above all others in the 45 70 for load tolerance.

I also am worse than a politician about the basket stamp........they are awful cool. I try to only be groping around on them alone.....in the dark.

I like the pressed basketweave design better than the plain wood on the carbines.

Is there a outlet on $400 model 88’s???