So my dad passed last February at 82yo. He was not really a gun guy, he had a couple of 22lr’s and a WWII Japanese bring back… I have these now. There was one unfired Winchester .30-30 though. It’s a Centennial '66. I remember it being in his closet when I was a kid. I never heard the background on it and there wasn’t some ceremonious moment when he gave it to me. I just asked mom about it and she said “sure, it’s yours”. It’s a cool piece for sure, but it’s not my speed. Should I keep it forever cause it was dads or flip it and buy a firearm I’ve wanted for a long time?? Mom even suggested selling it when I looked up it’s value. Not a fortune, but it’d bring a pretty penny. Anyway… thoughts?

https://www.chuckhawks.com/win_centennial_66.htm

If you don’t need the money I would keep it. It’s a piece of family history.

I think the "commemorative" type of M94s are not all that collectible unless they are NIB. But someone who does try to get them all may have an interest. I think I would move it I hopes of getting what you want.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
I think the "commemorative" type of M94s are not all that collectible unless they are NIB. But someone who does try to get them all may have an interest. I think I would move it I hopes of getting what you want.

It is NIB.

I don’t “need” the cash per se. Its just that I’d use the funds to get a firearm I normally might not have the money to get. Again, I have the others… two 22lr’s that are antiques as well as the Japanese rifle.

Toss up. it is not a pre64 so if it does not hold a place in your heart as it belonged to your father than sell it and do something other than buy another AR with the money.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Toss up. it is not a pre64 so if it does not hold a place in your heart as it belonged to your father than sell it and do something other than buy another AR with the money.

but it’s a *nice* AR!

Make you happy. If it's just gonna collect dust, get something you will use and treasure more.

Today only I will give you 100.00 sight unseen

Not believing it meant anything special to your dad, I would move it along. As to what to do with the money, I would be very deliberate about what I sank the funds back into. There are many firearms I collected that I thought would be the cat’s meow that I splurged on, that sometime later in the future just don’t inspire the same feelings. I would want it to be something I would cherish like a custom 1911/hi power or a hunting shotgun or rifle I would use often and think about my dad. Owning some other high end custom/semi-custom Sigs, CZs, or ARs that I had to have almost always leave me indifferent and unattached. Buy something you would truly never likely sell off.

There will come a time when you’ll look at something that has no real meaning for you and that you can’t just put it in the “free” pile at a yard sale and will ask yourself, “What do I do with this now?” Unless you’re willing to let it be someone else’s burden, it’s easier to find the best way to dispose of it sooner than later when time presses. It’s not like it’s the Purple Heart Medal your grandfather received for action on Omaha Beach.

How's this classified ad coming along? Had any nibbles?

While some would relate the value of pre 64's as being less on the collector market, A '66 Win 94 is mechanically the better gun. Winchester was losing money on firearms because parts were being made so poorly the only way to get one together was a lot of old school hand fitting. Nothing was drop in and a repair part was a gunsmith job most of the time.

They examined the entire production process, redesigned some problematic ones, and bore down on which needed precise manufacture. A lot of hand labor was eliminated, ie high quality parts within the tolerances fit right the first time assembled.

Some time after '64 certain writers helped popularize the notion that the earlier rifles were somehow better because of the quant notion that hand fitting bad parts on a mass production line somehow made them a better gun. The difference before and after was like Hi Point and Colt - with the Hi Points getting the money?

I have an October 64 Win 94, the condition of being a window rack gun stored in a truck is the critical factor in it's pricing. Functionally I trust it more and take it hunting. One that was Pre 64 is $500 more and for the most part its an "investment" proposition waiting to recover any profit.

If it's sold, OP benefits from buying a newer gun, if not, it's going to require some near museum storage conditions to keep from corroding from humidity alone. OP needs to ask if he wants to be a caretaker for a nice rifle or allow someone else to volunteer for that and pay for the privilege, too.

I may eventually gift mine or sell it, .30-30 is still a good cartridge with plentiful ammo.

What I would like to know is what would you get?

My dad is 82 and mom is 79. They have amassed quite a collection of stuff. Some of it is really cool, nice, stuff. When my dad and I walk through the house he points at things and asks, “What are you going to do with this when I’m gone?” I tell him “I’m going to keep the R and the P, but most of it is going on eBay.” I’m in the move everything you don’t want camp.

This question is likely not about the firearm, but about the decision.

Would selling this object
1. dishonor YOUR memory of your father
2. harm YOUR self-assessment that you make good decisions
3. create regret in YOUR heart, as an irreversible decision
4. lead to "I never should have" memories?

It's not about the object. It's about you and your dad. Work to understand this, then keep or sell.

I’d probably keep the Winchester.

I now regret having sold a JC Higgins .22 that was my Dad’s because it didn’t interest me.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
How's this classified ad coming along? Had any nibbles?

Para I apologize… I wasn’t planning on selling it here, just getting some guidance.

Well, this is essentially a WTS ad. Your email address is displayed in your profile. Do you think a member will see this, want it, but say "Well, this is not in Classifieds, so I can't try to buy it"?

This thread can stay up, but all members need to understand that this type of thing goes against long-standing policy.

Doesn't sound like it meant that much to your father or you so I'd sell it.
The Japanese rifle is the one I'd keep.