Antique guns - how can I find out how much they're worth? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

MSD · 08-29-2004, 02:05 PM

I have three old guns that belonged to my great-grandfather that I have been cleaning up recently. They have some identifying marks on them, but not enough for a google search to give me info. The one that I'm particularly interested in is an octagonal barrel .22, the only marking on which is "REMINGTON ARMS CO. ILION, NY" on top of the barrel. The others are a shotgun, an H&R with patent markings indicating that it is from between 1902 and 1905. The third, which I'm not as curious about due to a broken and plugged barrel, is a double barrel percussion cap muzzle-loader. If anyone here can help me, or would just be interested to see them, I could post some pictures in a few days.

Moonduck · 08-29-2004, 03:03 PM

Certain Remington .22's are worth some money. I'm no expert on em by a long shot though. I did see one at a gun show that I found lovely, and then noticed the price tag. Ouch.

cuervo · 08-29-2004, 04:55 PM

Try here for starters:
http://www.oldguns.net/

MrTuffPaws · 08-29-2004, 07:20 PM

Or, go to gunbroker.com and see if you can find someone else selling it. That will give you a rough estimate of what it is worth.

Big Cholla · 09-10-2004, 09:59 PM

Go to a good book store and order the latest version of the "Blue Book of Gun Values" by S.P. Fjestad. Once you have that in hand do your research and decide what you have. Then call several of the larger gun stores in your region and ask for a reference to the area's top antique gun guy. Get in touch with him and offer to pay for his evaluation. Inform him right from the start that you are not interested in selling the subject firearms, but that the evaluation is for "insurance purposes". That way he won't be tempted to low-ball you and try to buy a valuable gun for a song. Record your serial numbers and take several pictures of your guns before leaving them with anyone for evaluation. Sometimes the sights off an old rifle are worth more than the rifle ever was. Prior ownership of your gun by a "unique person" could also affect the value a great deal. Be careful with your double barrel muzzle loader pistol. The "plugs" you are seeing just might be old bullets/wadding and they could be over old black powder charges. Have a gunsmith look at it.

08-29-2004, 02:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
MSD The sky calls to us ... Super Moderator Location: CT	Antique guns - how can I find out how much they're worth? I have three old guns that belonged to my great-grandfather that I have been cleaning up recently. They have some identifying marks on them, but not enough for a google search to give me info. The one that I'm particularly interested in is an octagonal barrel .22, the only marking on which is "REMINGTON ARMS CO. ILION, NY" on top of the barrel. The others are a shotgun, an H&R with patent markings indicating that it is from between 1902 and 1905. The third, which I'm not as curious about due to a broken and plugged barrel, is a double barrel percussion cap muzzle-loader. If anyone here can help me, or would just be interested to see them, I could post some pictures in a few days.

08-29-2004, 03:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	Certain Remington .22's are worth some money. I'm no expert on em by a long shot though. I did see one at a gun show that I found lovely, and then noticed the price tag. Ouch.

08-29-2004, 04:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
cuervo Tilted Location: NC	Try here for starters: http://www.oldguns.net/

08-29-2004, 07:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
MrTuffPaws Addict Location: NorCal	Or, go to gunbroker.com and see if you can find someone else selling it. That will give you a rough estimate of what it is worth.

09-10-2004, 09:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
Big Cholla Upright Location: Las Vegas, Nevada	Go to a good book store and order the latest version of the "Blue Book of Gun Values" by S.P. Fjestad. Once you have that in hand do your research and decide what you have. Then call several of the larger gun stores in your region and ask for a reference to the area's top antique gun guy. Get in touch with him and offer to pay for his evaluation. Inform him right from the start that you are not interested in selling the subject firearms, but that the evaluation is for "insurance purposes". That way he won't be tempted to low-ball you and try to buy a valuable gun for a song. Record your serial numbers and take several pictures of your guns before leaving them with anyone for evaluation. Sometimes the sights off an old rifle are worth more than the rifle ever was. Prior ownership of your gun by a "unique person" could also affect the value a great deal. Be careful with your double barrel muzzle loader pistol. The "plugs" you are seeing just might be old bullets/wadding and they could be over old black powder charges. Have a gunsmith look at it.