I am seeking advise. A friend has a Win. 1894 in .30-.30, a barreled action only. The best information I can find to date, according to the serial #'s, is 1900 or 1903. It is clean, no rust or pitting. The rear sight insert is missing, not the base.
He wants to sell it. Do you think it is best to try to locate vintage sight insert and stock prior to, or sell as is. Any who know a fair price, I would appreciate it. According to book it is $1,800-2,400 complete.

Worth more complete, by far. Most guys, believe it or not, lack skills to complete anything mechanical. Or want to deal with the parts search. And those collectors who would pay top money for it, don't want parts.
These types of project rifles I pay very low dollar for; Clean, no rust or pitting says to me, a bright rifle with little or no original finish.
Making it a shooter or basic collection piece.

dpcd, thank you, your input is appreciated. I'll go ahead and search for a stock to complete.

quote:

Originally posted by mlfguns:
I am seeking advise. A friend has a Win. 1894 in .30-.30, a barreled action only. The best information I can find to date, according to the serial #'s, is 1900 or 1903. It is clean, no rust or pitting. The rear sight insert is missing, not the base.
He wants to sell it. Do you think it is best to try to locate vintage sight insert and stock prior to, or sell as is. Any who know a fair price, I would appreciate it. According to book it is $1,800-2,400 complete.

Complete and original, maybe.
As a parts gun, it will only bring "shooter" price. The value has a lot to do with location, too. Book values mean absolutely nothing on leverguns

I would value it at $500 to $600 and original wood and hardware will cost you another $400 or more, or a new replacement would lower the cost to maybe $250 to $300 but not much to be made on it....but a shooter for sure.

Restored to original wood and sights would make you some money if the metal is as good as you say at near 90%...probably be worth $1500 to $1800. like new would be $2000 to $2500. That's with me not having the gun in hand to appraise..but should be close. Sounds like the metal is exceptional. Id buy it for $500 or $600 in a heart beat, with a 3 day inspection.

The average price in such a gun as yours that's in about 50 to 60% in 30-30 caliber with a so so bore and no blue with a few small pits is $900 to $950..In the rarer calibers like 38-55, 25-35, and 32-40 you can add $200 to $600 in decent condition, maybe more.