Inventory liquidation help needed

[Tass]

A friend whose father lives out of state has alzheimer's and his wife is planning on selling off some of the guns he has collected over the years. Can anyone provide any input as to what sort of value to place on the guns/collection so she can get an idea of what she has? Most on the list are long guns with few pistols. I can e-mail the list (.pdf) if anyone can help. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated as the family is under a bit of stress lately and I don't want them being taken advantage of.

Tass

[LaserTex]

If you have the list, then start with sites like Gunbroker.com to get an idea of value. On rarer pieces, schedule an appointment with your local gun shop expert for help.

Sorry I can't offer more help. Good luck to you.

Doug

[Keith B]

Tass,

Sorry she is having to go through the Alzheimer's issue. Dealt with that with my Dad and it is a rough thing.

On the guns, my suggestion is to take your list and look at http://www.gunbroker.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for similar items. This will give you pretty good idea of what they would bring. If they get sold to a dealer or gun shop locally, expect them to be wanting to get them a lot cheaper than what Gunbroker prices are since they would want to make a profit. However, some gun stores offer consignment sales for 10% - 15% which might be a good option. Many times you can get enough more out of the gun sold at a gun store to cover the consignment fees.

Good luck!

Edited to add: LaserTex beat me to it.

[Tass]

Thanks Doug. I'll check it out.

Tass

[Tass]

OK, just checked out Gunbroker.com.......

I really need to win the lottery! Every time I looked up something on the list, I found something else I needed! *Thanks Guys!*

Tass

[Oldgringo]

This site, http://www.gunsamerica.com/Default.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, sometimes has the more exotic or rare pieces on it.

Good luck.

[seamusTX]

Two books are widely used to appraise firearms:

• The Blue Book of Gun Values: https://store.bluebookinc.com/nra/Default.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
• Gun Digest books (several for different makes): http://www.gundigeststore.com/product/M ... un-Values/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The asking prices on GunBroker.com are generally someone's dream. I used to watch that site. The same overpriced pieces were listed there for years.

You can get a better idea of the market by searching for closed auctions on Auction Arms. You have to register with the site to search for closed auctions.

Probably Auction Arms is not going to be helpful with valuing rare or antique firearms.

Be careful with consignment sales. The dealer can go out of business or bankrupt, and whatever they have on consignment will be in legal limbo. Established stores that have been around for a long time and have an internet presence will probably be a safer bet.

- Jim

[Rex B]

tstore.com/product/Modern-Gun-Values/[/list]
The asking prices on GunBroker.com are generally someone's dream.

That's true, but if you looked at Completed Auctions, and sort by # of bids (highest first), you get a bit better accuracy.
Gunbroker seems to have a bit more traffic, which makes for a better statistical sample.

[Bob Landry]

GB is not a reliable source to even see what something SHOULD sell for. Remember, that's where the crooks were selling primers for $100/1000. If you aren't familiar enough with the type of weapons she's selling, you would be headaches ahead, and she would be $$$ ahead by getting a local dealer to appraise the collection. Make it clear to him that you are willing to pay a flat rate for an appraisal and that you may or may not sell to him. You have to remember, he's still a gun dealer and those guys are going to lo-ball you on price. Another viable option is to sit down with a knowlegable friend with the Blue Book($30) and do it your self..
Hope this helps

[rm9792]

Why dont you post the list here, a lot of us might be interested.

[gmckinl]

Disclaimer: I've no personal experience with this firm.

On Tom Gresham's Guntalk radio show, a dealer in San Antonio is now an advertiser/sponsor. They buy guns and whole collections. Tom speaks highly of them and said he used them to handle guns from his dads estate (Grits).

Just another option for you to evaluate

http://www.durysguns.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Tass]

I appreciate the help. I've sent several links and did make a list of price ranges found on Gunbroker.com. There are several I would like to have, but will wait and see if she is planning to sell off pieces or the whole collection.

List includes:
Savage model 100L w/ 6x redfield scope
Remington 700ADL w/ 4x redfield scope
Kleingunther-Seguin, TX model K, 7mm
Winchester 1873, .32 cal King Improvement
Winchester 182 44 WCF carbine
Winchester 1892 .38 WCF
Winchester 1892 25-20
Winchester model 94 30-30, Lone Star Commemorative-never fired
Remington 878 12 ga
Remington 1100 12 ga
Winchester 190
and a few pistols

Tass

[seamusTX]

Condition is everything with second-hand firearms. A piece could be worth $100 or $1,000 depending upon condition and whether it comes with the original accessories (if any).

Also, the lady should find out whether any of these pieces has some historical connection, such as having been used in a war.

- Jim

[joe817]

The Winchester's are definitely one's that collectors would want and highly prized. Their value could be $1,000 each or $10,000 each, depending on condition, serial number variant, etc,etc,etc. These are definitely worth taking to a fee appraiser to get a value put on them, IMO.

A cursory review of the "Kings Model" in very good-to excellent condition is easily worth $1,100-$1,200:
http://www.3rdmarines.net/WINCHESTER%20MODEL%201873.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Collector's Arms in Houston, is a great place to get an idea of retail value collector guns. Although IMO they don't reflect true real world sales pricing, they give a ball park idea of what a gun is bringing on the upper retail sales scale:

http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/admin ... bcatID=169" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'd be curious to know what the pistols are.

Sorry I can't help you more.

[rm9792]

I would like to know the pistols as well, plus what calber is the Remington 700?