Help with grading/pricing Winchester 74

[Tyler-The-Piker]

My friend's great grandpa said he bought this new in 1940. I checked the Winchester 74 serial # lookup website and sure enough this serial # dates it 1940. I think they were first produced in 1938 or 39? This is the .22 short version. It really seems to be in excellent condition with no major marks in the wood and most of the bluing still in great shape, some patina...(wish i could take better pictures). Still in smooth perfect operational condition, recently test fired and cleaned up The last several closed gunbroker auctions had these goin all over the place. Odd but does anyone else have an opinions on condition, value or some insights...fond memories? Thanks.

 

[SEMI-AK]

$275-$325
I have a very early one with a sub 1500 serial number...

 

[88E30M50]

What a great old rifle. I sure hope the owner is only looking for a value and not a sale. You cannot put a price on a family heirloom. The value in those lie in the connection it gives you to the original owner.

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

$275-$325
I have a very early one with a sub 1500 serial number...

Thank you for the response. This serial # is 35xxx. Have you ever looked yours up? I'd be curious of the year.

What a great old rifle. I sure hope the owner is only looking for a value and not a sale. You cannot put a price on a family heirloom. The value in those lie in the connection it gives you to the original owner.

a little more to the story:
My close friend (since childhood) has quite a nice collection including some of his great grandpa's that I'm sure he'll never get rid of. My buddy is always on the prowl for the latest/greatest glock, AR, or SBS and he "made room in the safe" by selling me a few, this 74 part of the package deal. Win win.

 

[dekeshooter]

I can't help much with value, but I can attest the Model 74 is a fine rifle. I recently traded into one chambered for .22LR and mine runs like a sewing machine.

I have seen warnings about to not work the bolt with the safety on. Apparently on some rifles this can cause the bolt to lock up.

 

[Mongo59]

I love them. They were "cheap" Winchesters when built but they will shoot real well.

Pre-war carries a premium, .22 short carries a premium.

What I see in the picture looks like a $275-$300 gun.

 

[Mongo59]

BTW, I own 5 or 6 of them and will pick up more when the price is right if that gives you any idea what I think of them...

 

[patience0830]

Owned a short model for a while. Some of the later ones were grooved for a tip off scope mount. Trigger is just a pivot on a pin that runs through the stock. Weird set up. Very simple, cheap to produce design. I have met some examples that shot very well. My short model was a real lemon.

 

[Tyler-The-Piker]

dekeshooter, Mongo59, patience0830
Thanks to you guys for response.
This was the only 1 of the bunch that I was considering selling but I don't know now lol I didn't want to like it (I really don't "need" another 22) but I'm starting to appreciate what it is.

 

[SEMI-AK]

Mine is a 4 digit serial and one of the first off the line in Jan. 1938.
This is my kiddos and every friends favorite .22. It will make a brick of .22 shorts disappear quickly...

 

[SEMI-AK]

BTW, I own 5 or 6 of them and will pick up more when the price is right if that gives you any idea what I think of them...

shhhhhh...we don’t want the secret to get out....

they are super reliable once you understand how to clean and lube then...

 

[Slow Hand]

I have a 22lr model from 1947. I picked it up a couple decades ago and have shot it quite a bit. It came to me with a side mounted scope rail installed which might hurt what little collector value it has but makes it much more shootable for me! It was one of the first guns I had threaded when I got y 22 suppressor. I remember the machinist said the barrel was like a wet noodle it was so wavy, but the damage thing shot great for me! I haven’t shot it in a few years, I think I’ll drag it out and take it to the range next trip.

 

[Huzrjim]

These are great rifles. I have my Father's .22LR and it was the first .22 that I ever fired. It has taken countless squirrels and even a running rabbit. My Father purchased it in 1941 before he left for the war. Serial 97XXX. I also have the side scope mount, but since I don't plan on selling it, not too worried about impact on value.