Gun value question

[deerslayer64d]

I have a buddy selling several guns for whatever reason and he has a Winchester model 61 22 short / LR that’s all original in really good condition I’m interested in , when I asked what he wanted for it he said he wasn’t sure of the value, I’ve looked on line and the prices are all over the place from $400 up to $1.100.00 ( asking price ) . In today’s world what is a realistic value of these old pump 22’s ? I don’t really need another 22 but I’m kinda fond of these old winchesters.

[Artos]

Condition is always the driver & mint unfired guns can bring upwards of $2k...grooved receivers can bring a slight premium.

The model 61 imo is the best hammerless pump rimfire ever designed...you will need to add the 22 mag, the 62 (hammer version) & the 63 (auto) to round out the collection.

[Bassdeer]

If he's your buddy I think $350- $400 if fair.

[deerslayer64d]

Here are some pics of the gun in question

[muzzlebrake]

I could see myself paying $1100 for an old signature Browning Trombone

[mavrick]

I would bet that wood has been refinished. Hard to tell from the pictures buttttt.

[muzzlebrake]

The connection. Seems like Winchester copied or almost did another Browning gun.

Crisis following the Great War (World War I), and found itself embroiled in management problems. After reorganizing in 1929, the Great Depression struck and further wounded the company's abilities to produce. Winchester went into receivership and was subsequently purchased in 1931 by the Western Cartridge Company. The Olin family, owners of WCC, infused the organization with new capital and management expertise to lead it back to its former prominence. The second factor hindering the introduction of a hammerless pump .22 involved patents held by John Browning. Although Browning had a long relationship with the Winchester organization, he was having a neat little pump gun made for European consumption at Fabrique Nationale in Belgium, starting in 1922. His patents for the "Trombone Model" were also valid in the U.S., although those particular rifles were not marketed at that time on these shores. Any new Winchester pump gun would have to skirt those patents in many important ways.

Winchester's Research and Development department, headed by T.C. Johnson, was lucky in having two very talented designers on the staff, Frank Burton and Harry Crockett. Two initial working models were generated in the mid-1920s for a slide-action hammerless rifle. These two prototypes of what was to become the Model 61 were submitted to the company patent attorneys, who judged, unfortunately, that they infringed on Browning's patents. Their re-design efforts finally satisfied the lawyers, and in 1932, the Model 61 was introduced. The patents on this gun were not granted until 1935, but Winchester was so confident of the new design that production pre-dated that patent approval by three years.

Upon its introduction, Winchester advertising stated the rifle "…presents a fast, finely balanced arm that combines the recognized genius of Winchester gun design with the world famous selection of highest quality of materials and Winchester precision of workmanship." Attention was also brought to the fact that the arm somewhat resembled the famous Winchester Model 12 shotgun in appearance and method of operation. The Model 61 was to be produced for 32 years; its production was ended only by its elimination as being too expensive to manufacture in 1964.

[deerslayer64d]

I appreciate the reply’s as well as the history of this model , interesting enough I have all the model 12’s except for the 28 ga that seem to be unattainable in a field grade . I think the similarities of the model 12 and the model 61 is what draws me to the model 61!

[Artos]

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/rifles/winchester-rifles-model-61/winchester-model-61-in-unopened-box.cfm?gun_id=102252518

If you can get some pictures like this, it would help determine the value by noting the condition & originality.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/979210058

You can look up the s/n on proofhouse to determine the born on date.

[deerslayer64d]

5k for NOS wow ! I could never open the box to see it lol

[muzzlebrake]

The takedown thumb screw on the Model 61 is maybe one way they got around the Browning patent? I don't see that feature on the Browning Trombone 22s. I wonder if there are any parts at all that would interchange. I haven't researched it.

[Keg]

I saw a decent one recently and it was 800… i have one and I wouldn’t take a thou for it…

[trophy8]

I would bet that wood has been refinished. Hard to tell from the pictures buttttt.

Agreed. Wood looks refinished. and it appears there’s quite a bit a blueing loss? Maybe I’m just seeing things. Super cool guns. But I wouldn’t pay top dollar or call it “very good condition”.

$500ish or less imo

[deerslayer64d]

Agreed. Wood looks refinished. and it appears there’s quite a bit a blueing loss? Maybe I’m just seeing things. Super cool guns. But I wouldn’t pay top dollar or call it “very good condition”.

$500ish or less imo

Noted and thanks for all the advice