Do serial numbers make a huge differance in value?

corn-nut

Hi,

I have a stevens visible loading repeater in 98% condition. It's serial number is only three digit and stevens said it was made in the first month of production. These rifles get $150-$175 on gunbroker, do you think mine could do better?

Thanks
keep sharp guys

leeblackman

It might to a collector, but how much original finish is left? Thats whats really important.

I find that there are three types of buyers. Dealers, Shooters, and Collectors.

Dealers give you the least amount of money for guns because they have to resale them.

Shooters will generally shop around for a good deal, but if they really want it they'd pay.

Collectors are the least conserned with price compared to the others, they are looking for the best condition piece they can find. They tend to pay the most.


I think its funny how people try to sell guns at collector prices, and when they don't sell they practically give it away to a dealer. If your really interested in parting with it you should price it appropriately.

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JudgeColt

In my opinion, Dr. Pig is on the right track. Guns by major makers will bring a lot more with low numbers, or unique numbers. The most collectable guns, like Single Action Colts or Winchester levers will command very large premiums. How much more a gun with serial number "100" is worth as opposed to the same gun with serial number "102" is open to debate, as both are low numbers, but I would pay a small premium for the "100," and I think most would.

When you get to 5000 versus 5007, I think the even number would bring a little more. I have a gun with a 5000 serial number and I value it more highly as a result. Inexpensive guns by lesser makers probably will not bring much premium for low or unique serial numbers, unless you find the one buyer who is a big fan of that particular inexpensive gun.

This discussion reminds me of the Robert Q. Sutherland Colt collection featured in the Book of Colt Firearms. The number of serial number 1 models in that collection from the percussion era through 1970 when the book was published is astounding. How much more is Python Number 1 worth as opposed to my relatively early Python Number 1XX? Many times I would say. How much more is my Kel-Tec P11 Number 1XX worth than Number 81XXX that I bought to modify? Probably not much.

32wsl

And then there is the serial number that belonged to a historical personage, such as Elvis, or one of those Colts that went down with Custer, or one of those Win-Lee Strait pulls deep-sixed with the Battleship Maine, and then recovered and sold on the secondary market for chump change, and so forth. Collectors call this "Providence"; the serial number vouches for the authenticity.