41 Winchester

[rice 123]

I was looking at a 41 Winchester yesterday, 80% original finish it had the original barrel but it was a little frosty, it had the uncut win op rod and win grooved hand guard clip. the only things that appeared to be changed was a SA open box cartouched butt stock and the Type 11 rear sight that was part WIN and part SA. I am guessing that the original pinion rear site might have been broken and replaced. Possibly the butt stock might have been replaced because the original bid not have the stock cut out for the cleaning equipment other then that it seems to be unmessed with. What would you guess the value would be? It is not for sale but it could be someday and I might want to jump on it if it does go for sale

Information

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[RCS]

I have a few '41 Winchesters, do you recall the serial number range and if the receiver had the dark rear anneal color?

[rice 123]

I do not remember but I beleive it was below 30,000

[M1Riflenut]

I do not remember but I beleive it was below 30,000

Interesting,seeing as Winchester serial numbers started at 100K

Maybe it was 130K?

[rice 123]

it was 130 I just dicounted 100K because that was the starting point

[Bodyman]

That sounds like it might be a pretty interesting rifle, indeed. First off any early, pre-Pearl Harbor rifle that is even substantially complete (original) is really cool, but don’t discount the changes too quickly. Many early rifles have shown up with the flushnuts changed out for lockbars and flat buttplate stocks changed out for trapdoor stocks. These changes were easily accomplished in the field even and were very desirable for those depending on these rifles for their lives. The SA open box is a later postwar stock but if that is the only thing that looks out of place it may well have been nothing more than a nicer hunk of wood that floated past this rifle later on. Of course if it has a saw cut gas cylinder or such rebuild things, it continues to back it down more.

The sub-130,000 range of serial numbers is super interesting and much was going on. Of course it should have checkered knobs and a flushnut but it could still have a flat sight cover and be correct (though that is a bit late). Internals should pretty much all be early and with no A’s or CM’s yet. The narrow base gas cylinder should still have a sight seal on it and anything with a sight seal is neater’n sliced bread. If it is a legit 80% original finish with original barrel that is reflecting relatively little use and should yield TE and muzzle readings on the lower end of the scale. If not then it tells you that you have to look a lot closer at things. Frosting of the barrel (or even a little worse) wouldn’t bother me in the least on such a piece.

Value on such a piece really depends on how comfortable with how “original” it might still be and of course as always; condition. It sounds like you have a fair handle on things already and you have handled it, so let me ask you – what are you thinking it might be worth?

[rice 123]

I was thinking if I got a chance to buy it somewhere between 1K and 1500. Of course it is not for sale right now! but sooner or later I will have something he wants and could possibley trade

[AL in MN]

If substantially original, that would not be a bad price, parted out it would be worth more. If it needs a flushnut besides a stock, I would guess you are looking at about $3k total. That might be questionable.