Need Value on a Collection

idsman75

"Someone" I know has come into a unique one-of-a-kind collection and is trying to sell it. In 1976 a total of 50 Browning Model 78 single-shot Bicentenniel rifles were produced. Each rifle commemorates one of the 13 colonies and the rifles were sold by auction. A single bid was permitted by mail only. Only one individual was able to get his hands on 13 of the rifles (each commemorating one of the colonies). All other rifles were sold individually and no other collection of all 13 colonies exists. Each rifle is chambered for .30-06 and is in pristine condition (only fired once at the factory). 10 of the rifles still have the original "Browning" scope that came with them. All engraving was done by Neil Hartlep and his son Glen. The minimum bid accepted was $3,100 per rifle. This "someone" is asking $26,000 for the total collection and I am trying to convince him that this is low. What is recommended? The advertisement for this auction can be found in one of the 1976 issues of American Rifleman. I have a color photocopy of the ad that I might be able to scan.

nmyers@home.com

What is recommended? I recommend that you avoid giving "someone" advice on this transaction. There's too much money at stake here, and it's likely that "someone" will blame the outcome on you.According to Steve Fjestad, some guns in this series have sold for around $5K; but, finding someone with enough money, and desire, to buy the complete set at any price will be difficult.If the guns were mine, I would list them in one of the high-end gun auction houses like Butterfield, Julia, or Sotheby. But, don't listen to me. I wouldn't have bought them in the first place; I'd have put the money into Enron stock.Neal

idsman75

He made the purchase on behalf of a willing wealthy investor who was willing to take the risk in an effort to make a profit. The purchase was made for under $20,000. He has decided that he will not part for it for less than $26,000. What harm could be done if I suggested that he expect more? If he gets more, then he will be happy. If he gets $26K, he will be happy.

Iconoclast

idsman, this is way out of my league, but when one is talking 5 figures, a professional appraisal / opinion is in order - or it's what I would do. I'd find it very hard to believe these appreciated only 30% in 26 years.

AntiqueDr

Is this set for sale now?

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JudgeColt

I wonder if the poor appreciation of Winchester commeratives and some of the Colt commeratives is instructive here? It is a common joke with the Winchesters to say one should have kept the boxes and sleeves and have thrown away the rifles! Unless you find someone to whom this set appeals who has the money, I doubt that it will bring anything close to its original cost. I notice idsman does not mention original boxes, documentation, etc.. Those items are usually essential to selling any kind of commerative, especially ones in this price range. Artificial scarcity items have never appealed to me. Does the guy collect "limited edition" plates too?

idsman75

The set is for sale now. I didn't inquire about original boxes. However, I didn't completely forget about it. It was just an after-thought that came after he handed me a color photocopy of the original page from a 1976 issue of American Rifleman. I do know that each was accompanied by a Browning scope. Two are currently missing. The initial owner died and left them to his son who sold them way below initial value.