[TIMBERWOLF]

Friends,
We have a gun show in town and a dealer has two firearms that I am seriously interested in. Both are Winchester model 92, 20 inch saddle ring carbines. One is in .32-20 and the other in .38-40. The wood is good; no splits, gouges, or major dings. The is virtually no blue on the metal. It is nearly all silver. The action seems to be tight. The bores are bright and shiny, and there doesn't appear to be any rust or pitting in either bore. He is asking $950 for the .32-20 and $1300 for the .38-40. What do you think? Is he high, low, or well within market value?

Thanks for your help,
Timberwolf

 

[TIMBERWOLF]

Mike, you have indeed been very helpful. My "gut" feeling was that they're probably worth $600 each max, even with the very good bores. They didn't have fancy wood. They were basically 'plain Jane.' I have wanted both calibers to use for general plinking and close end varmint hunting, but I do not want to get taken whether by accident or intent! Someone mentioned to me that the model 92s are generally NOT found with all the blue off the metal and bright shiny bores. One gentleman stated that what I am seeing in the bores could be an old trick...extra oil or grease put in the bores to make them APPEAR to be near mint. Can this be done? Any truth to this?

Thanks,
Timberwolf