Selling militaria stuff question.

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  • Sirex

    Powered by natural gas
    Oct 30, 2010
    10,380
    Westminster, MD
    So, a while ago I helped my dad, help his friend, who was widowed sell some guns. Now, my mom has a widowed friend who wants to sell a fairly big militaria collection. She has a room full of WW2 and Vietnam stuff, like uniforms, mess kits, pop up tent kits, some boots, holsters, gun stocks, M16 buttstocks and long triangular handguards, cleaning kits, some pistol magazines, canteens magazine holsters, and I think some bayonets. Probably more I am not remembering or seeing. So, I don't think a regular gun store would be into this, and Sonny's Surplus is no more. She wants to sell it in one big bulk lot. Where would we find a dealer interested in that stuff, and are there any shops that won't rip her off? She has a ton of cool stuff, but I don't have the time, money or space for it. Any stores you all know of I should call? She is in Westminster if that helps. Thanks for any suggestions.
     

    HRDWRK

    ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
    Jan 7, 2013
    2,641
    39°43′19.92216″ N
    There is a guy who has a shop in the Westminster antique mall that buys old military stuff.

    I believe that Yesteryear antique store also has a person who buys.

    Also in Gettysburg is a Surplus store. Off one of the roads in the circle.
     

    Sirex

    Powered by natural gas
    Oct 30, 2010
    10,380
    Westminster, MD
    There is a guy who has a shop in the Westminster antique mall that buys old military stuff.

    I believe that Yesteryear antique store also has a person who buys.

    Also in Gettysburg is a Surplus store. Off one of the roads in the circle.

    Thank you, I will look into those and let her know
     

    delaware_export

    Ultimate Member
    Apr 10, 2018
    3,142
    you may be able to contact several places, send some pictures. if the collection is fair sized as you say, they may be willing to come to you and examine, and possibly make an offer to purchase as a lot. them traveling may effect the prices, but maybe not. it would be worth a try.
     

    snake-eye

    Active Member
    Jan 27, 2015
    167
    MD
    Contact Redding Auction. They are just north of Gettysburg and specialize in selling military related stuff and firearms.
     

    dist1646

    Ultimate Member
    May 1, 2012
    8,758
    Eldersburg
    She is going to take a beating on prices if sold as one lot. Just from what you describe here, it sounds like some of it may be highly collectable and worth good money.
     

    Sirex

    Powered by natural gas
    Oct 30, 2010
    10,380
    Westminster, MD
    She is going to take a beating on prices if sold as one lot. Just from what you describe here, it sounds like some of it may be highly collectable and worth good money.

    I expect she will, but her husband collected it, not her, and she was left with it. Because I am the family "gun nut", my mother recommended me to help. She doesnt want to hassle piecing it out, as she wants to clear it out ASAP to make a spare bedroom out of the storage area. I may see if she'll let me try to sell the stocks for her on here. She has 2 wooden M14 stocks, a grey polymer M14 stock, old M16 stocks, Enfield stock, and 2 1903 stocks, a straight and scant stock.

    Right now I am just trying to figure out who buys this stuff in bulk. If it were guns I could probably help her better, but WW2/Vietnam stuff I am not so up to date on.
     

    Sirex

    Powered by natural gas
    Oct 30, 2010
    10,380
    Westminster, MD
    You could post the whole lot with a price on here too...

    I could, but I have a hard enough time getting pics of simple thing to load on here. I also have no idea the value. If there are any big collectors here, I would offer up, but right now I am trying to make a list of options for her.
     

    FFBWMD

    ,
    Industry Partner
    Oct 3, 2011
    4,662
    Woodbine MD
    I could, but I have a hard enough time getting pics of simple thing to load on here. I also have no idea the value. If there are any big collectors here, I would offer up, but right now I am trying to make a list of options for her.

    Let us know, we may be interested in making an offer on the whole lot.
     

    buellsfurn

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 1, 2015
    5,951
    southern end of Maryland
    if you should sell stocks i have a need for a m16 butt stock in the mitts of a clone fore arm Chad installed when we went threw my Stag Arms . I think there are 2 different ones i need the long one but will double check should you sell any of them (edit one with a rack number would be sweet
     

    buellsfurn

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 1, 2015
    5,951
    southern end of Maryland
    So, a while ago I helped my dad, help his friend, who was widowed sell some guns. Now, my mom has a widowed friend who wants to sell a fairly big militaria collection. She has a room full of WW2 and Vietnam stuff, like uniforms, mess kits, pop up tent kits, some boots, holsters, gun stocks, M16 buttstocks and long triangular handguards, cleaning kits, some pistol magazines, canteens magazine holsters, and I think some bayonets. Probably more I am not remembering or seeing. So, I don't think a regular gun store would be into this, and Sonny's Surplus is no more. She wants to sell it in one big bulk lot. Where would we find a dealer interested in that stuff, and are there any shops that won't rip her off? She has a ton of cool stuff, but I don't have the time, money or space for it. Any stores you all know of I should call? She is in Westminster if that helps. Thanks for any suggestions.

    bayonets, some can be pricey
     

    dad4

    Ultimate Member
    Jan 11, 2013
    1,629
    Cecil County
    I don't know if you have found a buyer yet. I have been collecting for many years, primarily WW2. In my experience dealers will typically offer 50% of retail value. Often the problem becomes verifying authenticity. Too many collectors purchase items that have been faked. It is a life long learning experience educating oneself on determining real from repro. This is primarily a problem with Third Reich militaria. I have invested in quality books to aid in educating myself to avoid being taken.

    If you have need for additional insight please PM me and I will help, if possible.
     

    Sirex

    Powered by natural gas
    Oct 30, 2010
    10,380
    Westminster, MD
    Another vote for redding auction. Most things up there go for full retail or more.

    I did mention possibility of auction. I think she just wants to find a buyer to buy it all, and get it out of her basement quickly, without getting ripped completely off. I think she knows she'll not get anywhere near 100% of the value.
     

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