My gunsmith is almost 83. The doctors at the VA told him he has lung cancer and 4-5 months to live.

He wants to know if I want to buy his Winchester (no tang safety) M1886. Grade I with the etched engraving. Rifle. New in the original box.

What's a fair price to offer? I want to be fair to his widow to be, since we have been like family since summer of 1978.

thanks guys,

Rich

Sorry to hear about the diagnosis of your friend.
If he has others maybe set up a raffle to raise money?

pretty much everything else is spoken for.

I bought it new, and it was a present to him. He says whatever is fair. I paid $1200 for it new several years ago.

I paid 1750 for one last fall, also new in box. While I was looking I saw several in the 2200-2400 range. I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the shipping box on mine and saw the serial number ending in 0004. It is sitting in the box while I decide if it is going to get dragged around and scratched up by me or if it will (hopefully) go up in value in its box while I shoot other guns.

Mat

he said $1500 sounded pretty good.