Nice gift from my mother-in-law

I was just given a Winchester model 1905 chambered in 35 WSL.
This rifle belonged to her dad who died back in the late 1980's. The gun was put in a case and tucked in the back of a closet for 20+ years.
Other than being very dirty, it is in pretty good shape for being 106 years old.
The good:
This is an early model of the 1905, # 23xxx so it was infact made in 1905.
These rifles were chambered in either 32 WSL or 35 WSL so I got the larger of the two calibers. I have read that this rifle was considered by some to be the first auto laoding rifle available.
Bluing is about 70-75%, stock is in good condition with a few dings and scratches.

The bad:
It's chambered in 35 WSL which went obsolete in the 1940's. Original cartridges are highly collectable and will run about $4.50 per round.
Buffalo Arms reproduces it so I was able to get 20 rounds for $52.00 but it's still too much money to shoot more than a few rounds
It's missing the original 5 round magazine. I have read the the original mags are as hard to find as the original ammo, and if I'm lucky enough to find a mag, plan on spending about $100.

My plan is to have a gunsmith give it a look over and thorough cleaning to make sure it's safe to shoot then put about 5 rounds through it and keep the other 15 rounds for emergency use LOL

 

That's awesome guns prob worth a lot of money

 

I have seen them advertised for $400-500.
I have seen a few auctions where they sold for between $200-300.
Minus the original magazine the value about $200, but the family value is high

 

Nice score.

 

Like my grampa always told me "can't beat free"