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handgun values

creekratcreekrat Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
edited February 2009 in Ask the Experts
Morning

A friend recently passed away. His wife has asked me to help her sell his guns. I've got a pretty good handle on his long guns, but know very little about handguns. I'm listing them below. Assume that all these are at 80 percent or better. They are.

If you'd like to take a crack at a couple, I'd appreciate it - and I know these will be very rough estimates going in.
Thanks
Jim

S&W Airweight w/o hammer 38 special - JI29xxx

Colt Auto 32 - 479xxx

Ruger Blackhawk single action .357 - 6xxx

Mauser Parabellum, 9mm Luger - 11.007xxx

Colt National Match .45 Nickel plated - c182xxx

S&W 3.8 special stainless 4-inch barrel - D503xxx


S&W .32 5-shot break breach 3-inch barrel - 238xxx

S&W .38 5-shot break breach 6-inch barrel blued - 448xxx

S&W .38 5-shot break breach 6-inch barrel - nickle plate, pearl handle - 36xxTT

Colt .22 woodsman - 183xxB


S&W 44 mag nickle plate - 817xxxx

Colt Match Target 22 auto - 197xxx-S

S&W .38 special airweight - D654xxx

Pair of Colt derringers, nickle plate - 11xxN & 11xxN (sequential numbers)

S&W .38 Special Model 64 stainless 4-inch barrel - 3K19xxx

Colt .357 Python, blued 5-inch barrel 22xx

S&W .38 Special 471xxx

Ruger 22 auto - 164xxx

S&W 32 Long cartridge - 178xxx

I know this is a long list. Just trying to help out. Thanks in advance for advice.

Comments

  • lcdrdanrlcdrdanr Member Posts: 439 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm sure a lot of folk would like to help but I don't think there is enouogh information on these guns to give a meaningful ball park. Without model numbers, barrel lengths and such, a ball park value becomes a crap shoot.

    For example, you list a Ruger .22 Auto. Is it a Standard, MKI, MKII or MKIII ? Target or standard ? Govt Target model ? Barrel Length? Any spare mags with it? With box and paperwork ? Stainless or blued ? The answers to these questions could change the value from $200 to $600 without regards to condition.

    Without some of this supporting data, you won't get anything meaningful back. It's like asking what is the value on a Chevrolet or how much you could get out of a Ford Pick Up.
  • CLINTFCLINTF Member Posts: 735 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Some of these are very valuable/collectible handguns so I will suggest you do your OWN homework on the values. Do searchs on the selling side of this site to see what different ones "have sold" for.
    Look at some other firearms sales sites also.

    I'm sure that within minutes of your posting this you have been contacted numerous times by "lurkers" waiting to pounce on an easy meal(possibly at unfair prices.

    If you really want to get this woman the best/highest prices for these you should take the time to auction them here at gunbroker.com!
  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,892 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I just finished the same exercise. If you are not committed to this task, now is the time to beg off. Even knowing a fair amount about guns, having many reference books & a digital camera with a make-shift studio, it still took me an average of 4 hours per gun. That includes cleaning, inspecting, identifying, photographing, listing, & shipping the guns. Figure it's going to take you twice the time.

    At this point, I don't think you know enough to identify the guns. You need to buy a copy of the Blue Book of Gun Values by S. Fjestad, available at most books stores & on the Internet. After you identify each gun, clean them thoroughly; there can be a huge difference in value between a gun with a bore that is "bright & shiny" & one that has "heavy pitting" or is "shot out". At THIS point, you may be able to use the GB SmartSearch feature.

    If you get stuck on any gun, post a photo & we will try to help. If you don't have a digital camera that takes good close-ups, pay a professional to take photos for you. (Most wedding photographers also do "studio" work.)

    Neal
  • geeguygeeguy Member Posts: 1,047
    edited November -1
    +1 on listing them at GB. I "lurk" at all the local gun shows (and online)and in reviewing most of the guns sold on GB, they always get the best price (ie; much more then a bargain hunter like me would pay).

    Just put good pictures and the best description you have and you'll find the best purchase price. It will be sold for what it's worth on this site. So when I "lurk" I always know if I buy for less at a show I'm getting a good deal.

    Try one or two and see the results.
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