38-55 Winchester circa 1905

inthedark · Posted: Sun Nov 15, 2020 4:35 pm Post subject: 38-55 Winchester circa 1905

Does anyone here have an idea of the value of this rifle?
It is in fair shape. Original grease and gunk in it, with lots of metal filings in the crude. Barrel appears to have a bulge about halfway down. A couple of the screws have been bent up but the rest are or appear to the 30X hand scope to have been untouched. There are no witness/tool marks on the inside. The patina appears to be original and the wood has not been touched. This came into my hands to evaluate and clean for a friend. This rifle has been welll used and is smooth as glass in operation. It has taken almost 4 hours of cleaning in an ultra-sonic cleaner along with me scraping the crud with plastic tools. I was asked about the value as a wall hanger only. I have to still soft slug the barrel and cast the chamber. All original parts as from the factory as far as I can tell. Serial number comes back (via Winchester Owners Assoc.) as being built 1905, Rear sight wedge is dated Pat. 1901.

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

www.gunbroker.com/item/884246647

???

-DallanC

inthedark · Posted: Mon Nov 16, 2020 10:59 am Post subject: Re: 38-55 Winchester circa 1905

Thanks Dallan

Elvis · Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2020 12:27 am Post subject: Re: 38-55 Winchester circa 1905

photos please....the barrel bulge will be the game changer....if its still shootable it has life in it yet as it is...if not feasable to shoot to any degree of accuracy,its either wallhanger $50-200 or rebarrel if can find someone who will do it...so at guess $700-1000 which makes it an expensive rifle....

inthedark · Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2020 3:00 pm Post subject: Re: 38-55 Winchester circa 1905

Elvis wrote:

photos please....the barrel bulge will be the game changer....if its still shootable it has life in it yet as it is...if not feasible to shoot to any degree of accuracy, its either wall hanger $50-200 or re-barrel if can find someone who will do it...so at guess $700-1000 which makes it an expensive rifle....

I looked online, these rifles go for anywhere of a few hundred to several thousands of dollars. I cannot believe it. That being said, I have finally found only two places that have vintage screws for the two screws that need replacing. I buggered an inner one and the outer one was buggered a very long time ago. It was the gate screw. I will have to take some pics to show..

inthedark · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 10:49 am Post subject: Re: 38-55 Winchester circa 1905

Well I have the manufacturing date down to near the end of 1899 around November/early December. I am awaiting two screws before I reassemble this unit and I will take several pic for the nut.