Collectability of Winchester 40-82

squeakyc

I was reading some of the posts and a reply to an answer made me go HUMMMM. It stated that the large calibre rifles such as a Winchester Model 1886, 40-82 isn't a very desirable collector piece. Many other collectors and I were always under the assumption that the large calibre rifles were more desirable as collectibles. What do you all think, which is more desirable to collectors?

quote: "Collecting isn't a hobby, it's a disease with no cure"

bullelk

squeakyc,
That might have been my post that you read. I didn't say that large caliber rifles such as a Win 86 in the 40-82 caliber is not a very desirable collector piece. I said that it was one of the least desirable calibers in that model.

The Winchester 86 is a very sought after rifle by many Winchester collectors, especially in certain calibers. If you had two 86's in the same configuration, and one was in the 50-110 Express and the other a 40-82, the 50-110 would go in a heartbeat, even it was in poorer condition than the 40-82.

I'm sorry if I confused you.

Gino

"If All Else Fails, Read The Directions"



Edited by - bullelk on 05/20/2002 20:54:20

Iconoclast

JMHO, although I know at least one other person here who might share it, but the M86 .40-82 is one fine combination. Perhaps not as desirable as a collector item, but I sure liked mine and wish I still had it. .50-110 is virtually a wall hanger, but with little effort, your grandchildren will be able to shoot the .40-82 until the barrel is worn out. Does a job on woodchucks, BTW .

steve45

If only I had a villa in France to trade! An old Winchester in an odd caliber would be a great addition to any collection.

bullelk

I was just stating the desirability of it. Read my post carefully.



Edited by - bullelk on 05/21/2002 06:17:07

beachmaster73

From a collectibility standpoint there is no doubt that 45-70 and larger add a premium to your 1886 Winchester. For the 50-110 there is almost a 50% premium...for 45-90 perhaps a 35% premium, for a 45-70 a 25% premium. So if you own a really banged up 50-110 it's still worth far more than the same banged up 1886 in any other caliber. However if you have a .40-82 you have the precurser to the .405 Winchester and there is a certain desirability to it. If you have a 40-82 in 90% condition with an orginal complete 1894 Winchester reloading tool it's even better. There is nothing like shooting Iconoclast's 260 grain loads through mine!! Bottom line any 1886 is worth something the better the condition the higher the price. But make sure your 1886 in 50-110 left the factory as a 50-110 otherwise you have a realy nice looking POS. Make sure your 1886 Winchester letters out from the Cody Museum as what you have; otherwise the price drops drasticly.

I'd say if you have a line on a 40-82 to go ahead and buy it. You won't suffer too badly and chances are if it were a 45-70 you'd be paying 25% more for it. Beach


P.S. I love the sound of my 260 grain bullet heading down range at near Conestoga wagon speed. Beach

mudge

Squeaky....If you don't want it, tell me where it is and I'll come get it.

Mudge the vulture

I can't come to work today. The voices said, STAY HOME AND CLEAN THE GUNS!

bullelk

Beach,
You said it well, any 86 in original condition is collectable, and if someone wants to shoot them, that's fine. I don't have anything against that. I have a 45-70 that some one had cut the barrel down to 20". I shoot that one myself. (Yes, I know, it's not very collectable, but it's still an 86). About 7 years ago, I sold to a very good friend of mine an all original 86 saddle ring carbine in 45-70 with about 40% finish, and he hunts with it all the time in Montana, even carries it on horseback. Any 86 in any caliber is still good.
Gino

"If All Else Fails, Read The Directions"