Building a Winchester Collection.

[gizamo]

I've been accumulating some Winchesters and have done so without much focus. Mostly I've cobbled together a pretty decent group 1892's. But a couple of 1873's have been gathered up and some interesting 1894's. I'm realizing that I should concentrate in one area at a time, if I want to truly build a good representation of one model.

Anyone else as disorganized as I am...?

What would folks here suggest for building a collection? I'm not rich, so entry level guns are what I'm after. Tips, hints, and suggestions welcome...


giz

[okdee]

I'll chime in my 2 cents worth!

I am sorta of the same collector that you are. With the exception, that I have one to 2 in each model that I like to shoot.
1873,1876,1892,1894,1895,1970's, etc.

So, I kinda thought I would like to start collecting different sets within one Model. So I looked at the 1873....You have carbines, calibers combinations, length of barrel differences, different versions within the model, collector status, shooter status, wall-hanger status, and on and on. I decided to keep it simple and just see what glides by , pick up what appeals to my eyes. Sort of like Eye candy! Sometimes a particular combination of a model jest leaps at you and makes you pick her up and wanna take her home! Other setup's just kinda leave me quiet, and not interested.

So, in a since, I look at the rifle (or pistol for that matter), and see if it fits me, feels good to me, and in a since, talks to me. Great.... More gun talk, probably.....

Anyway, sometimes I am successful and sometimes I buy one and turn around an sell it. It just does not fit me. Others I cherish and well have for a loooooong time!

Great luck in your search for the multiple holy grails!!!!

Oklahoma Dee

[RIHMFIRE]

Welcome to Levergunners...
Sounds like you have same decease as everyone else here....
Leveritus...There is no cure buddy........
Your gonna find out we like collecting all sorts of levers
in every caliber....buy what you like....buy what your going to use...
Whatever you buy....winchesters will never....never go down
in value...
My goal now is to get 1 of each model...
and dont forget about repros.....ubertis are fantastic.....

[rjohns94]

Welcome to the forum. If you are going to be a collector, then, like in all else, you need to have the right mindsets, IMHO.

1. Self Aware: Know what you can and can't spend, your likes and dislikes, and have patience, just don't grab the first one you like.

2. Wisely Strategic: Have a vision of what you would like the collection to look like. Don't be distracted by other temptations. If a rifle comes along that really does not fit into the final vision picture, pass on it, saving the money and use the experience to anchor your wishes in your mind, firming it up to keep you focused.

3. Highly Intentional: Again, if something comes along that just does not fit, like a marlin if you want to focus on certain winchesters, or if it has a flaw that will eventually nag at you, then pass. You might want to look up Mod71Alaska's recent posts on rifle porn. He is just but one example of highly intentional collecting. KirkD and many others here have done the same thing.

4. Deeply Surrendered: You have to be committed to the idea of having a great collection and look to the end result rather than temporary instant gratification.


These four mindsets, couple with having a Vision/Mission statement will save you time, energy, $$$, and in the end, lead you to excellent results. Good luck.

[Mich Hunter]

Just purchase what you like and shoot the hell out of each one. Thats what they were made for. Life is too short.

[Kansas Ed]

I think that trying to build a collection based on an entire set of anything is frustrating. I've worked toward an entire set of 1895 Winchesters, but trying to find some of them has been aggravating and obsessive. I looked for 5 years or so to find one caliber rifle that was representative of the standard configuration. And it became almost disappointing at times. So I'm not sure that is an enjoyable way to go. Rafter 7 is going to an auction this weekend where one fella obviously had a thing for one basic configuration rifle model. And the lengths he apparently went to, in order to be complete were unbelievable, and I can't help but think that he was never satisfied with the collection because there was always something else out there that he must have needed to "round out" his collection. I saw the same thing with a gent and his 1895 Winchester collection. There had to have been 40+ rifles in that collection. Who would have thought that the 1895 had that many variables?.

So...if you made it though all of that and even understood what I was poorly attempting to say....

I think that everyone should have a "gun fund". And have a general scope of what fits your requirements. Say only original rifles/finish, even if it's patina it's OK? Or only original rifles with these mods are OK, or maybe you include repro's in your requirements. Understand where you draw the line...like no cut barrels, or no extra holes. Or no 1873's, etc. And then stick to that platform. No exceptions. Half the fun is seeing what pops out of the woodwork, and then having the extra funds to strike when the opportunity is there. Don't get into any rush. We are gun people, and we hang around others that are gun people. So the opportunities will arise.

Ed

[DBW]

Just purchase what you like and shoot the hell out of each one. Thats what they were made for. Life is too short.

+1

[Gun Smith]

100% mitch hunter!
I am working on one of each caliber/model. That should me take the rest of my life.

[Ray Newman]

I'll give the same advice to anyone wanting to build any "collection". Even more so considering the prices asked and paid for Winchesters.

--Buy, read, and thoroughly understand every good reference book on the subject that you can find and afford. While a $100.00 reference book might appear to be expensive, it just could save you from buying a $700.00 or more mistake or parts gun. It could also help you identify the "sleeper" that others overlook.

--Condition and originality are everything., and the "better" examples will appreciate more.

[Sixgun]

Don't waste your time or energy. Collect Mossbergs. I have enough competition with the Winchesters.

If you want to accomplish a nice collection, you either have to start young or be rich.

I buy every Winchester thats a bargain and I've been doing that for close to 40 years. Then I take the ones I don't care for and turn 'em around for a profit and keep parlaying until I get the serious bucks for the "big steal" for the high dollar Winchester. (or Colt, S&W, Marlin, O.M Ruger)

Knowledge is power. I have several thousand dollars worth of reference books. If you are not willing to invest in books, see my first paragraph. ---------------Sixgun

[gizamo]

sixgun,


Kindred souls, my friend....

I've spent time building other collections. But the Winchesters beat the hell out of me. No other gun is as frustrating or rewarding. My meager collection of guns up here in Maine is no match for the folks that have been rewarded by living in the South...


But it is a start...

giz

[Sixgun]

sixgun,
No other gun is as frustrating or rewarding. My meager collection of guns up here in Maine is no match for the folks that have been rewarded by living in the South...
giz

Yo Giz,
You bet no other gun is as frustrating or rewarding----thats why the buggers cost so much Better than ANY 401K Plan or for that matter, any form of normal monetary investment.

I will disagree with you on the "folks that have been rewarded by living in the South". The best guns that are "just floating around" are right here in SE Pa. Lots of "old money" where people bought guns and only used 'em once or twice a year as their jobs provided for their meat. This area has traditionally been great for employement, gun ownership, great gun laws, and most of all, right wing minded people who just like to have guns laying around.

I live three miles from the Brandywine Battlefield and 15 miles from Valley Forge. A house three doors down from me was a Revolutionary War hospital. We don't trust many people but that sure is changing with all the Yuppies moving in.

People in the West, North, South, and most everywhere else used their guns as tools and therefore, not much finish is left on 'em. Longtime members of this board get astonished by the stuff that is "hidden in the woodwork" around here. Just last month I got a 99% 1892 in 38-40 for my buddy who owns a gunshop. Found it at an estate auction.------Come on down---bring the bucks ----------------------Sixgun

[rangerider7]

Just my opinion but there is no history in a 99% gun. I'm into history. I want my guns to tell stories. I want them to have some wear, but no abuse. I like the feel of a nice old gun with a slick action. Just my two cents.

P.S. I have had my nap and ready to go.

[Lastmohecken]

It's been my experience, to beware of the too minty old gun, as it's either been redone, or sometimes it truly is minty, but the reason it is, is because there is something wrong with it, like it doesn't feed 100% or something, and because of that, someone just stashed it away, and didn't use it, for a lot of years. I once purchased a pristine pre-64 model 94 Winchester in this condition. It turned out to be the only Winchester, (pre-64) that I ever had that was jammer.


As far as collecting, My cousin accused me of not being a collector, but instead I was a horder of guns. I recond he is probably right. I know I am not one to collect every model or every caliber offering. I am more inclined to purchase spares and sometimes tripples of the same make, model, and caliber, just in case something happens to my favorite.

But as I am getting older, I am starting to wonder, what I really need, want, that will give me enjoyement. Sometimes, when I have owned a gun for a number of years, and not used much, maybe hardly any, I will ask myself if I think I will ever use it, much, and if that question is no, then I will sometimes sell it, or trade it to gain another that I want, or think I will use more often. I do have a few Winchesters that I have never fired, or only fired a few times, that I keep because they are sorta rare or hard to replace, but there does get to be a point of diminishing returns.

As I get older, I see myself selling or giving away some of my guns, as I personally think it's stupid to hang on to a bunch of guns, that one's wife, kids, etc will only fight over, sell off without knowing the true worth of, etc. I have helped a few people sell their guns, after a death, and it's not pretty and I didn't see the sense of it, leaving a spouse to deal with it.

[cowboykell]

We are not collectors, but caretakers. We must keep these great old guns in their original condition for the next generation of "caretakers". That way none of those bozos can reblue, refinish, rework a classic.

[rangerider7]

Yea, I have a special order Winchester 1894 30-30 with express sights, button mag, half round barrel that has been "restored". I will be selling it soon. It was made in 1915 and shoots well. I just can't seem to keep re-blues. I would be a great camp gun but I take my "El Tigre" and that starts plenty of conversation.

[pokey]

Yea, I have a special order Winchester 1894 30-30 with express sights, button mag, half round barrel that has been "restored". I will be selling it soon. It was made in 1915 and shoots well. I just can't seem to keep re-blues. I would be a great camp gun but I take my "El Tigre" and that starts plenty of conversation.

that's the start of another collection.
you sell it to someone and they need to buy more.

i have a few "questionable" rifles that fill slots until a better example[ that i can afford] shows up.

read the standard catalog of winchester rifles by cornell, if you want a true collector's philosophy.

[Gun Smith]

My wife knows "0" about guns. What I have done is to have an inventory, on paper, of my collection with current fair market prices that I update as necessary. My best friend, who is a bit younger than me, has agreed to sell off the collection for her when the time comes. He can use this inventory pricing as a guide and will pick a few guns to keep for himself in thanks for his help.

[Ray Newman]

GunSmith: BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1