Hi - I am inheriting a collection of firearms from a relative who passed away. I am wondering if anyone has advice on the best way to get a rough idea of each item's value.
I was thinking of looking up completed auctions on gunbroker as a starting point. But that wouldn't really take into account the item's exact condition/year of manufacture. Do most people try to contact each company or an expert on a particular manufacturer? I was also thinking of simply taking them one or two at a time to the Dulles gun show and seeking out expertise there. I was also thinking I could post some photos on here so any fellow C/R enthusiasts can take a look and weigh in.
There are about 30 pieces, collected between ~1950 and ~1990. They're from the usual American manufacturers: Winchester, Marlin, Remington, Colt, etc. along with a few "war veterans" from other countries (no NFA). The previous owner took meticulous care of them, kept them in a dry safe, and rarely/never fired them. So they're all in good condition for their age. I've already looked up a few serial numbers and it appears most of them were manufactured between 1850 and 1930. There is also a very interesting single shot cap pistol that seems to have been a traditional dueling weapon. And there is an Enfield that has Japanese (I think) marks on it. Super interesting and super unexpected.
I am a firearms enthusiast and own a few older guns, but nothing quite this interesting.
I have already taken care of the legalities and will pick them up next week.
I am not interested in ever selling anything -- just want to know a little more about what's going in my safe and how to properly assess it for my insurance policy. I didn't know this relative and I had the same hobby. So it's a pretty cool thing all around and I'd like to learn more. Thank you.
I was thinking of looking up completed auctions on gunbroker as a starting point. But that wouldn't really take into account the item's exact condition/year of manufacture. Do most people try to contact each company or an expert on a particular manufacturer? I was also thinking of simply taking them one or two at a time to the Dulles gun show and seeking out expertise there. I was also thinking I could post some photos on here so any fellow C/R enthusiasts can take a look and weigh in.
There are about 30 pieces, collected between ~1950 and ~1990. They're from the usual American manufacturers: Winchester, Marlin, Remington, Colt, etc. along with a few "war veterans" from other countries (no NFA). The previous owner took meticulous care of them, kept them in a dry safe, and rarely/never fired them. So they're all in good condition for their age. I've already looked up a few serial numbers and it appears most of them were manufactured between 1850 and 1930. There is also a very interesting single shot cap pistol that seems to have been a traditional dueling weapon. And there is an Enfield that has Japanese (I think) marks on it. Super interesting and super unexpected.
I am a firearms enthusiast and own a few older guns, but nothing quite this interesting.
I have already taken care of the legalities and will pick them up next week.
I am not interested in ever selling anything -- just want to know a little more about what's going in my safe and how to properly assess it for my insurance policy. I didn't know this relative and I had the same hobby. So it's a pretty cool thing all around and I'd like to learn more. Thank you.
