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I inherited a Winchester 94 .30-30 Buffalo Bill commemorative 26" octagonal barrel (1939) rifle. I was told my grandfather bought it as a collector gun and never shot it. I see no signs of any wear. Everything inside the box is exactly how it was when it left the store (still has the $129.95 tag on the box). The outer decorative box was severely damaged at some point (heat, tape, wear, etc.). My question is whether shooting this rifle period will drop its value and how much does the outer box being almost out of the picture effect the collector value of this firearm?

Welcome to the Winchester Owners Forum !!

Shooting a commerative will drop the value significantly... and yes, the box and all packing materials do affect the subjective selling price.

Welcome to the forum Destin. Your BBC is a safe queen candidate.

At any given moment there are appx 30+ of these on gunbroker. Right now there are 32 ranging from 300.00 up. I'm guessing an unfired one would fetch 600.00 with a pristine box, providing you could find a buyer. I sold my once fired BBC for 350 without a box and felt relieved since so many were made. Basically its a post 64 model 94 with a lot of scratching on it. Shoot it and have fun with it.

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The value of my commemorative went up significantly and I mean outright skyrocketed after about 15 years of me owning it. I mean, me... personally. ONLY because I've shot the shenanigans out of it, broke it a few times, swung it around like John Wayne till my fingers hurt, all mostly in the good presence of family and friends (safely mind you), and it just keeps climbing! Priceless I tell you!!

Unshot, unmarked, Grandpa's wish... Ya, I would have to lock it up somewhere for the temptation, lol.
I paid $500 for mine, but you couldn't give me $5000 for it now.

Roughly about $1000

I just put one in layaway at my LGS. Beautiful rifle. I am very pleased I got it. It is not a pre 64 but I don't care. It was still made in the USA and a good gun. I will get iyt out the end of this month (2-26 to be exact) I paid a little high for it at $650 but I could not resist. What a beautiful rifle. I have been away from Winchester for a very Long time. Glad I am back.

Got mine out of layaway. Took her straight out and shot it. Very accurate and very good shooter. I think it's a keeper and not a safe queen. Like said they are to many made and probably in the 4 year span that is wanted the least. But I like mine. I will probably upgrade the internals for a smoother action though.