1886 converted to 450 Alaskan

Ram Hammer · Post by **Ram Hammer** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:00 pm

I ran across an 1886 converted to 450 Alaskan in a pawn shop today. It had a 3/4 octagon barrel about 20 to 22 inches long and a Redfield peep sight on the receiver. I didn't think to look at the serial number to date the rifle but it was an original Winchester barrel converted to 450. The finish was a new re-blue over some significant pitting on the receiver and barrel. The proprietor of the pawn shop said the previous owner told him that this rifle was one of 50 conversions made. The gunsmith that did the conversion didn't put his name on it that I could find. He had a price of $5,000 on the rifle and showed me a page copied out of Blue Book justifying the price. The page had circled 45-90 chambering. I tried to point out to him this was not a factory rifle but he didn't want to know the truth.

What are the 450 Alaskan conversions worth?

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:31 pm

I guess they are worth whatever they will bring. $5,000 seems a little high to me, but who knows. I gave around $1,400 for a Winchester model 71 which was converted to 450 Alaskan back in the late fiftys or early sixtys. I will try to post a picture of it.

salvo · Post by **salvo** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:02 pm

Something interesting.

What cost $1400 in 1960 would cost $9353.43 in 2006.
http://www.westegg.com/inflation/

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:24 pm

Salvo, I guess I didn't say it right. I paid $1,400 for it, but that was only a few months ago, but the work was done in the late fiftys or eairly 60's.

Here is a picture if it goes.[im

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Mike D. · Post by **Mike D.** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:27 pm

Lets see, barrel chopped, reblue over pitting. .450 AK caliber, not worth much in my book. Maybe $1200, or so, but no more. Even a .45-90 in that condition wouldn't EVER bring the ridiculous 5K the dummy is requesting.

getitdone1 · Post by **getitdone1** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 9:40 pm

Lastmohecken wrote:I guess they are worth whatever they will bring. $5,000 seems a little high to me, but who knows. I gave around $1,400 for a Winchester model 71 which was converted to 450 Alaskan back in the late fiftys or early sixtys. I will try to post a picture of it.

Lastmohecken,

I think you made a great buy for 1400. I'd like to play with that one myself!

Don McCullough

hfcable · Post by **hfcable** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:04 pm

sold a buddy my model 71 in 450 alaskan, it had a heavy weight shilen match grade barrel; the gun was made up by john traister and used for an article in Rifle mag; i paid him $750.00, and it had the factory original bolt peep sight....that was about 1992, and sold it to my besty friend a couple years later for the same price. he still has it; most accurate one i have ever seen!

CowboyTutt · Post by **CowboyTutt** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:13 pm

I think that pawnshop owner is on some serious medication.

-Tutt

shawn_c992001 · Post by **shawn_c992001** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:00 am

Well, I hope he gets it.