Never bought any anniversary rifles because I believe in shooting all my stuff. Only have std models and they are well used but maintained.

 

Agreed they are beautiful guns I have always disliked the Winchester commemorative guns because they usually wind up as safe queens. Considering the cost and that they are made in Japan I have zero interest in them.

 

Local internet ad for these. I am afraid the plating would be too fragile for hunting.

"100th year anniversary Winchester Centennial Commemorative Rifle and Carbine. Gold plated receiver. Caliber is 30 30 and barrels are 26" and 20" octagonal. Located in Hot Springs Village. $775 each. Price reduced to $675 each. If you have a gun to trade, please send description, condition and trade value."

They look good in the photos.

 

Over the years, Winchester had made a commemorative model for just about everything you can think of. I think they have saturated the market with them. I like good deep bluing and great looking wood. I dislike, gold/silver/chrome plating. Now that being said, the current 150 year models are the better looking ones I have seen. I just hope I don't come across the Model 1886 anytime soon. That would be the one my wife would wring my neck over!

 

I'm into the old ones (pre-WW2) but have looked at those 150yr 94s, they are very nice!

 

I have one of those 100 year winny's it is a fine rifle well fitted and a 24" barrel to boot and even in perfect condition with box papers and hang tag I would be lucky if I could sell it for enough to buy a non safety 1894 marlin. I've decided to use it to christen my back pasture 100 yd range I'm putting together.

The jap winchesters are very nice rifles to be sure, I'd rather have new US built henry's in 410 and 327

 

Well I just love levers rifles no matter where they are made. Well except the ones made in Illion,ny. Lol! I guess some might be ok. It's funny to me that some will put down the japan made winchesters, which are very fine made rifles but will praise and want the Belgian made Brownings and the Italian levers. Go figure. Now if the jap made rifles that were junk then that would be a different story but they are not, from the ones I've looked at they may be better made than some of the ones that were made in Connecticut.
Yes, and it seems like Winchester made a commemorative for just about everything but you have to know which ones are the most desirable if buying for investment. A 150th whether you shoot it or safe green it will most likely increase in value as time goes on. I think especially with the remaking of all the old style rifle that we are seeing now on the market. The commemoratives sell. Take Henry for example, look at how many different special engraved rifles the put out. Or take Marlins old 1895 and 1894 Century limited and others that they had. Those rifles bring the cash now days.
I just can't seem to stop with just a few levers, I want all that are made especially the ultra cool ones. I too have my sights set on a Henry in 327 and myself, the more bling and shine the better I like it. Because most of these rifle we're talking about, I just consider range rifles that I get enjoyment out of hitting metal dingers and such with. I have others that I hunt with of course and don't want the shine for that. JEB


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I bought my new 1895 limited because i wanted a beautiful hunting rifle for me to enjoy, not to baby.

 

I have pictured this one here before, but this 1967 "classic" is about as fancy as I want to get.

 

I think Belgian Brownings are considered primo because Browning originally made those models in Belgium, then moved production to Japan in the 1970's as a cost cutting move. The connotation of "cost cutting" always harms a brand. Consider Winchester in 1964. Even though Winchester still made them in the U.S., "Pre-64" still has meaning even though post 64 guns are plenty shootable. I'd argue that Winchester actually "came back" over the decades after 1964. I'd put my circa 1997 Winchester 94 "Trails End" .44 mag up against any pre-64 gun.

Italian lever guns (And even the Rossi 1892) are considered OK because they were always made and sold as reproductions of guns that couldn't be purchased new anywhere else at the time because Winchester wasn't making them, and wasn't planning to.

Japanese Winchesters might be fine guns, quality wise, but to me, Winchester was American and died when they shut down the New Haven plant and discontinued production. Browning "Winchesters" made in Japan are just more reproductions of the "real" thing. They will never be the "real" thing to me. Doesn't mean I won't ever own one, though.

 

The pre safety 94 Bigbores and the Browning copies of the model 1886 and 71 are every bit as good if not better than the pre 1964 Winchesters.

 

Well I just couldn't pass up a beautiful rifle whether I shoot it or not, I just love the beauty of it. Have a look

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That's beautiful...real nice wood. Thanks for the pictures.

 

What kendawg said!

 

Absolutely gorgeous! I am so jealous.:tee:

 

Hey JEB, that is beautiful......:top:

 

The fit and finish of the wood is much better on old Winchesters

and metal finish was better, rust blued. the 86 is 1906 and the 94 made in 1894

 

They can keep the anniversary rifle.I'll take a pre 64.

 

Be sure to buy the "Elvis Tribute" model first.