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Winchester 1885 Value?
archimedes
Member Posts: 6 ✭✭
I have an 1885 low wall 25/20 SS from 1900. I was curious as to what it's value is. It has unfortunately been restored at some time in the past and based on the Cody letter I have it should have a 28 inch barrel, but it has a 26 inch . It has a very nice bore and rifling. The blue job on the barrel was done very well, but unfortunately the receiver and butt plate were blued also and not color case hardened. I had hoped to one day have it restored properly, but wondering how the difference of the barrel length might affect the value? I am no expert, but the barrel looks original and not cut down so it could have been swapped? Is there a chance the Cody folks might have made a typo? It appears to be in perfect working order and I am planning to shot it this weekend for the first time. Just was hoping to find more info on this gun. Thanks in advance.
Comments
Looking at the underside, it now appears that 2 inches may have been cut off the receiver end and everything shifted back. Just basing that on all off the dove tail cuts. What do you think?
The rear sight is also too far back. Probably need a chamber cast to determine what it's now chambered for.
The stocks have been sanded down and incorrectly refinished, and the frame was harshly buffed and polished before being refinished with a hot salt blue.
The value of the rifle is minimal (less than $300), and it is not worth the time and expense to try having it restored.