Anyone know anything about these old 30-30's? Have a chance to get one for nothing and wanted to get some opinions before snagging it. The seller says it is a 1965 model. He also said it is a Winchester model 94 that was produced for Sears/Roebuck. It looks to be in excellent condition. I don't know much about Ted Williams firearms in general, but I've got an old Winchester 25-35 that has been in the family for decades and is a fantastic gun.

So, what do ya'll think?

They were made by Winchester for Sears from 64-78. They are new model 94 s with lesser quality wood and finish to meet Sears price point. They have two numbers, one is Sears catalog number and one is a serial, but I don't know which is which. I don't know if you can actually date these rifles. Typically, dept. Store versions of these old guns are worth as much as their name brand versions. Post 1963 Winchester had a bad rep for cheap stamped parts, so they are not nearly as well thought of as pre 64 Winchesters.

Sears put Ted williams name on everything. I had an old outboard motor with Ted Williams signature on it.

I loaned an old Ted Williams .22 to a friend many years ago and his crack head son sold it for a fix. It was the first and last gun I'll ever loan to anyone.

Very good summary BTW. We had one of those old Ted Williams outboards as well when I was a kid growing up.

Good to know…I'll probably avoid it.

If you get it for nothing, take it. I remember those and they were decent guns. Old 30-30 Win 94's are getting harder to find and the values very, but never the less easy to bring $300+ in good condition. I've seen the TW models sell for $400, so if it's cheap or nothing, grab it.

Older Wins $500+

In mid 60's they sold new for right around a $100

Christmas 1968, Mom bought my Dad a Browning A-5 at Sears (probably the Valley View store). I have always wondered the relationship between Browning and the Ted Williams signature gun case (leather with lamb's wool lining). Now I know.
The case is still in great shape but I need to get the ziper fixed/replaced.

Back on topic. Any gun you can get for free is worth looking at.

Well, its not totally free.

I've got one. I like it just as well as the name brand

Yeah, Ted Williams must have been the rock star of the day. Baseball player and manager, served as a fighter pilot in WW2 and Korea, and raised millions of dollars for cancer. All we hear about modern athletic "stars" is rape charges, gambling charges, getting thrown in jail after clubbing, and nonstop bragging about how great they are.

I killed a pile of deer with one.

Well if you really dont want it then pass the details of its wereabouts and ill buy it.

Point of slight disagreement here. Back in the 50's we did not have Cabelas, Bass Pro, Gander Mountain, Bud's or THF. But we had Sears, Wards, Western Auto, etc. Sears used the name J.C.Higgins on their "average/normal" sporting goods. This is evident in the Sears Model 54, a Winchester Model 94 but with Sears name. Their Sears Model 45 was made by Marlin and identical to a Marlin 336 or 30.

"Ted Williams" signature was reserved for the higher level sporting goods that Sears sold, and was used to distinguish Mr. Williams keen eyesight.

And from all I have heard about Mr. Williams he was one of the really good fellows.

And nowadays they ridicule and scoff at guys like that. Pop culture SUCKS. Contemporary professional athletes do NOT get any of my money if I can help it.

I looked at one these today at a gun shop. Looked just like a winchester, they were asking 300 for it. Id buy one if it was cheap enough just because!

Thanks guys. I'm gonna meet with the seller and take a look at it.