FIREARM WEB SITE

[BubbaJr]

The price of an antique gun is entirely dependant on the moods of the buyer and seller at the time of the transaction. You can get quotes, opinions and guesses, but you won't know exactly what it's worth until you have the money in your hand. There are too many variables (condition, market, economy, rarity, etc.) for anyone or any book to give you anything other than a ballpark idea of the value. If you sell it to a dealer you can expect to get 50-60% of the retail value, maybe more if it is very collectible, and in mint condition.

I'm not trying to be a smart aleck, but I deal in antique cameras and equipment, which is just like trying to sell any other antique item, and I find time and time again that people bring things to me with high expectations, and I have to point out that certain things don't work, the appearance isn't very nice, that just because their Uncle Bill owned it, the value isn't higher, the market is down because of the economy, etc. It will only be worth what the buyer is willing to pay for it after it is inspected.

If you just need a value for insurance reasons, then a book may get you close enough. Just remember that the price may go up or down as time goes by.

Good Luck /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[MadReferee]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Uhh huh, Explain that to the guy that thinks his 20 year old beat model 70 is A. old, B. rare /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Or the "bolt action Garand" (Enfield) It was a 125 dollar gun sold for 450 and the buyer was just a happy guy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Or the 1903 WW2 rebuild with mismatched wood for 1k.)</font>

There are plenty of times where the seller has unrealistic expectations regarding the value of his firearm. If he is lucky, he will find a buyer who is equally uninformed and the transaction will take place and both parties will be happy. In just about every case, however, buyers remorse will set in once the buyer educates himself.

As a rule, if you have something that just might be valuable it is wise to do as much homework as possible. I have dashed several potential seller's expectations when asked to evaluate a firearm for it's actual condition and value. Conversely I have surprised a few potential sellers when I told them that the piece of crap, all beat to death, Civil War era pistol they had is worth in excess of $1000.

Bottom line: Do your homework, whether you are a seller or buyer.

MadReferee
owner
Perham Corner Competition Services
Personalized firearms services since 1984
Specializing in collection and estate liquidations

 

[DannyD]

bubba, jr

ever see a 30 mm wide angle lens, Pentax brand, in near mint condition? i picked one up years ago at a show, traded a m.e. super body only for it.

I also have an old Olympus Trip 35 in mint condition, with box in very used condition, and the manual for it. Original lens caps too.

Your info on "value" is right on.

I spent many a year behind the camera in my own studio before getting a real job.

 

[BillyP]

Gun Trader's Guide is a pretty good source for gun values. They put out a new edition every year.

 

[frank_f15]

THANKS GUYS for all the links and advice, i was gone a little longer than i thought /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif i will be sure to check every thing out in the next few days.