i have a bald eagle commertive ,never been fired in the box model 94 carbine 375 win cal 20 in barrel. ABE 1808. what is the date of manfacture is it rare what is it worth.

Welcome to the forum drcooksr. I'm going to move this over the lever gun section, the guys there can probably help you.

Great cartridge, I collect Marlins and can't help with its collectability.

I use this site to check dates: http://www.savage99.com/winchester1894_dates.htm
It could only tell me it was made after 1982 which is when the records they have stop.

The Winchester "American Bald Eagle" Silver commemorative rifle in .375 Winchester caliber was made in 1982. There were only 2800 made and they are very collectable.

There is also a Gold Edition that commands a much higher price due to the gold embilishments, a velvet lined oak display case, and the very limited production of a few hundred. At one of the gun auction sites I saw a "Silver Edition" for $1295 and one for $1500.

Without the box and papers the value is around half, even though the rifle is unfired. If the rifle has been used/fired, there is no collectability at all and the value is the same as any other pretty Winchester BB94 in .375 Winchester caliber which, here recently, has been substantial. I just sold a NIB BB94/.375 for $795 and later was told by another gun dealer that I let it go cheap. Before the announcement that the plant was closing, the same rifle was selling for $500-$550. Go figure.

I have 2 NIB ABE commemoratives with successive serial numbers that are not for sale. However, if the price gets much higher I will sell one or trade it for a Marlin 336ER in .356 Winchester (Wishfull thinking? Maybe).

There are several reasons for the high price:
1. Limited production - 2800.
2. Caliber - .375 Winchester.
3. It is a real Winchester 94, not one made by U.S. Repeating Arms Co.
4. The wood and bluing is so nice that it gives you (me anyway) the "warm & fuzzies".

Let me know if you want any more info or would like to see some photos. I am currently in the "Peoples Republk of Kalifornia" and won't be back in Mississippi in front of my computer until Tuesday, 21 March 2006.