NIB 1917 Winchester

[Doug Douglass]

I have second chance to purchase a very late Winchester Model 1917 that is 100% NIB, without the box, absolutly perfect in every way. I am torn on value. Since so few in this condition still exist and I know what the Blue Book says I was wondering what you all think is a maximum amount to offer. My last bid two years ago of 1.2K was turned down.:icon_salut:

[da gimp]

what is he asking?

[joem]

I don't know what it would be worth. NIB sounds a little fishey to me. Several I've seen recently go for about $600.00 to $700.00. I bought one in a group of guns from a estate sale that was priced at $600.00. It might have been high but the other two (Inland carbine @$240.00 and a Hakim rifle for $120.00) made up for it. How bad do you want it?

[Doug Douglass]

Several of us inspected the rifle two years ago and it is as it was when it left the Winchester factory to go to the Army, if it ever did. Absolutly nothing is fishy about the condition, I am concerned these days what a top value could be.

Two years ago he was looking at around 2K and had no takers.

[UUURah]

The problem with buying something like this, for me anyway, is the reason they ramp up the sale price. NIB and UNfired. Well it HAS been fired, at least once.

Several years ago I came upon a local guy who had an 03, all greasy, supposedly in the "original box" it came in. He wanted something like $900 at the time. I said too much, he said "UNfired, kid". I said that the first thing I would do is FIRE it. He said, "CRAZZZY, it would lose it's value". Then why BUY it?

It's a constant battle between the "shooters" and the "collectors". If you want to be a collector, buy gold and Elvis hair strands. The best thing for a shooter to do is just leave it alone.

[herrmann]

Considering the rarity of it, I would pay $2k.

[Doug Douglass]

Considering the rarity of it, I would pay $2k.

Yes I an inclined to because in 45 years I have never seen better. I dosent show any age on the metal or wood. By the way I never said unfired but this one may be an exception.

[rayg]

As far as the value of above Winchester M17 goes. If a early 1917 dated 1903 Springfield in the same condition sells for well over $2,000. That $2000 figure for a Winchester M17 in the same condition does not sound unreasonable.

A couple points. First in collectors terms, "unfired" means unfired since leaving the factory. Which is understood by "collectors" to mean, not fired since proof firing.

2nd, folks can be either collectors or shooters, or both, at the same time. They don't have to be one or the other only, or they can be one or the other only. To each his own interest, that's the fun of this hobby. :eusa_dance: Ray

[JB White]

I'm with Uuurah on this. If it's unfired...how do you know if it's any good?

To each his own I reckon, but buying a rifle that won't be fired or cars that won't be driven etc have little appeal for me. On the other hand if you're studying, photographing and documenting them, then having an unused example makes perfect sense.

[Emri]

Is the said rifle in 100% condition, finish-wise ?? Or, is it 100%, "original as manufactured" ?? The two terms have different meanings and value. One must know the difference to determine a value. If it is indeed 100% "original as manufactured" , I would think 2K would be a starting point for the "value" of the rifle.

The only way it could be "NIB", is if it is with all the other rifles that were included in the "box" when it was sealed at Winchester at the time of manufacture.

FWIW,

Emri

[Dan Wilson]

If its an honest 100% straight from Winchester, never issued rifle, I would say two grand is just a starting point.
But its the qualifiers and knowing 100% that which would drive the price, as for top end, if its what you say ask yourself what is the value of an honest museum or presentation piece?

Personally I would have trouble going more than 1500 at the top end unless there is something that shows that is the case without doubt and question.

[Tony-in-NH]

About 4 years ago I had the the misfortune of not purchasing an absolutely pristine MINT Winchester 1917 at the BIG E Gun Show. It still had the hang tags on it. The asking price was $3000.00 I told the owner(dealer) that it was too much and that I would give him $2000.00 at the end of the show for it if he still had it. I took 3 STEPS away from the table and the little voice in my head said " don't be an idiot, give him the money" . Took 3 steps back to the table and it was gone. It sold in about 5 seconds when I turned away.

[Doug Douglass]

Is the said rifle in 100% condition, finish-wise ?? Or, is it 100%, "original as manufactured" ?? The two terms have different meanings and value. One must know the difference to determine a value. If it is indeed 100% "original as manufactured" , I would think 2K would be a starting point for the "value" of the rifle.

The only way it could be "NIB", is if it is with all the other rifles that were included in the "box" when it was sealed at Winchester at the time of manufacture.

FWIW,

Emri

I did say NIB "without the box" and it is as manufactured, untouched, unissued, handled with white gloves, (true), mint, shiney, clean, no dings, no handling marks...I don't know how else to describe it since it wasen't made last week..

With the above comments I am feeling much more confortable about the 2K range....thanks

[JB White]

I did say NIB "without the box" and it is as manufactured, untouched, unissued, handled with white gloves, (true), mint, shiney, clean, no dings, no handling marks...I don't know how else to describe it since it wasen't made last week..

With the above comments I am feeling much more confortable about the 2K range....thanks

I believe the term would be "Like New In Box" or LNIB. Details...semantics and details... ;)

[da gimp]

Like new, no box/flat out mint, no box , either is more accurate.

[JB White]

Mint? Mint?...wtf....It's a rifle. Not mentha nor coinage. It was manufactured. Neither grown or stamped from planchets.
These MO. guys...sheesh! Ya gotta show 'em everything! ;)

[John Sukey]

This reminds me of those "in the wrap" No4's. Rifles are made to be fired, so I unwrapped the two I had. Gave one to my neice's husband, and since he is a Marine, I am sure he got around to shooting it. If someone doesn't want to shoot a military rifle, a framed photograph of the rifle will do as well as the real thing.

[mack]

In the ninety plus years since that rifle's manufacture, there should have been a few handling marks, scratches, etc., etc. IF NOT, then be suspicious.

I say this because there are some very, very fine restorations out there and they don't all have owners honest enough to admit to a rebuild. The tricks of the trade (in restoration) are so diverse and widely perfected as to make detection impossible, even if you are a long time collector. Look at some of the lever actions rebuilds from reputable smiths and see if you can honestly tell a rebuild from original. Winchester blue CAN be duplicated. You can also duplicate the look and feel of an original dry stock with open-grain from years of neglect. There has been, until recent years, a surplus of spare parts to keep firearms in new condition and it has been practice to replace parts to make a very nice rifle appear "extra" nice. But that's gone on forever.

Worth $2K? That's your call, not ours. Do what you feel is right.

[Doug Rammel]

I'm waiting till I see Pictures.

[Doug Douglass]

I'm waiting till I see Pictures.

If I don't get to buy it that could be a long wait !!

[Johnny P]

The $2000 price tag is certainly not out of line if it is as new. If you think you might find the next one a little cheaper, you will probably never find it. Following WWI the NRA/DCM sold unissued Model 1917 rifles, and this rifle could be one of those.
At that period in time Winchester was finishing the receivers of their guns in niter blue, and the barrel in rust blue. I don't know if that carried over into the military rifles, but I would suspect that it did.

[Doug Rammel]

Ok I'll have to wait:icon_lol:

[mannparks]

speculation,lets see the rifle.---charles