Cost estimate help

lanningjw

Can any one help me in estimating what the following guns are worth? My uncle passed and left the following pieces.I was thinking of buying them from my cousin. If I buy them all from him what would be the fair price for the lot?
What would be the trade value if he sold them to a gun shop or I tried to sell the on the forum?

1. Ruger .357 Magnum Blackhawk model. Serial #32-36171
2. Ithaca model 37 Featherlight (not sure what gauge) 793796-.
3. Remington Wingmaster model 870. S178819V
4. Marksman 45. 44-1C-41656-97
5. Coast to Coast .22 model 40 (Marlin Firearms Co.). 72196324

oldgunman

Buy a blue book on guns, look at each and get an idea on condition, and research each on here. DO a search here on these forums on ESTIMATING GUNS WORTH or such and read all the suggestions given to other members questions. No one can answer those questions without really checking them out.( are they scratched?, are screws buggered?, do they have original boxes?, has any wood on them been sanded?,any rust?, and I could go on and on. Condition and collectability is the key to the dollar amount. What you pay, what he can sell them for, what a gun shop will give you, and what they will sell for on the auction could all and will be all a different amount for many many reasons. Homework, homework! Good luck and welcome here.

lanningjw

Thanks for responding. I understand and can appriate that the value of a gun can vary depending on many factors.
I guess that I was hoping that someone would say: The bottom line price for each of those guns is about $150 bucks, so go ahead and offer him $750.....lol......

competentone

quote:Originally posted by lanningjw
Can any one help me in estimating what the following guns are worth? My uncle passed and left the following pieces.I was thinking of buying them from my cousin. If I buy them all from him what would be the fair price for the lot?
What would be the trade value if he sold them to a gun shop or I tried to sell the on the forum?

1. Ruger .357 Magnum Blackhawk model. Serial #32-36171
2. Ithaca model 37 Featherlight (not sure what gauge) 793796-.
3. Remington Wingmaster model 870. S178819V
4. Marksman 45. 44-1C-41656-97
5. Coast to Coast .22 model 40 (Marlin Firearms Co.). 72196324


Just from the list, it doesn't sound like they are going to be anything really "collectable." (They are not firearms I watch prices on closely, otherwise I'd try to give you a quick ballpark figure if they are basic "used" but not "abused" guns.)

If you are trying to determine a "fair" price for the sale, and your cousin is seriously wanting to sell them, rather than you coming up with a price and making an offer, maybe you should just suggest that your cousin determine what he/she wants for them and then you'll either buy or not buy at that price. I'd suggest making it clear that you won't "haggle" over the price, you'll either just accept or reject the price your cousin asks.

You'll still have to do some basic research to know whether or not you want to pay what is being asked, but by not coming with an offer yourself, you won't run the risk of ever being accused of "deception" in trying to buy the guns for less than what they are worth. I don't know if other family members are involved, or what the family dynamics are, but sometimes such transactions between family members can cause arguments if one member thinks another has somehow "taken advantage" of someone by offer less than what some "perceived value" was. (Family owned firearms can sometimes have sentimental value attached to them, so people can feel "insulted" even if offered a "fair market price" because on a personal level, the item is worth so much more to them.)

If you purchase the guns by going to the family member and saying before hand, "I want to buy these from you, but want to be 'fair' about the price I pay, so I will let you tell me what you want for them, and then I will just accept or reject your asking price -- I don't want to get into any 'haggling' about the price, I just want you to feel that you've gotten a fair price." you reduce the risk that at some later point someone will be upset about the price you offered or paid.

duckhunter

Used gun values depend on condition. As you did not give us that info $750.00 would be a guess.

oldgunman

We could say it but without information we could be a million miles off. With some years experience you can get a rough idea but you have got to see and have the guns in your hands to come up with any sort of dollar value. I will warn you though that if you start touching the guns and researching them, they can get extremely addictive and rewarding. I really can't imagine going through life without them now. Next to a fine woman they are right up there on the top of the can't live without list. Both possibly tops on the Wonders of the World. Just my opinion though. Have your cousin tell you what he wants for them and then do some reasearch and see if it seems to be a fair price to you cuz that is really what matters. Might be a start to a wonderful hobby.

lanningjw

Thanks for the really nice thoughtful response!
The problem with asking my cousin what this group of guns is worth is that he has no idea what the value would be...lol...

Its only myself asking about the guns, no one else in the family is involved with this possible sale. I just not want him to feel that have screwed him over. Your right its a touchy matter if he thinks that I didnt give him fair price. But what is fair price? It seems like a complex problem.....
Jim

farmplinker

Search each gun on the gun auction sites, especially completed auctions where people actually bid. Note the caliber or gauge, stock material, condition, etc. You can get an idea of a reasonable price range for each gun.

Or, go with your cousin and take the guns to a couple of gun stores and see what you can get trading them in. Offer him a bit more than the trade-in values if you want them and you both should be happy.

tccox

Just take each gun to your local pawn shop. Give him 25 bucks more for each gun than the pawn shop offers. He should be happy with that figure. Tom

lanningjw

Thanks to all who responded to my forum question.........Now I want to find a really small carry gun for myself...One that I can put in a pocket or hide. I was looking was thinking a S$W 442......any thoughts....

farmplinker

I have a S&W 642, which is essentially the same gun as the 442 except the finish/color. Same weight, same size. I like it a lot. Makes a decent pocket gun. I just added Crimson Trace laser grips to mine.

Everyone's idea of "really small" is different. While I would call the 442/642 small, my idea of a really small gun that is easy to carry and hide would be the Kel-Tec P3AT or Rohrbaugh R9. I haven't bought either for a couple of reasons (reliability and caliber for the Kel-Tec and cost for the Rohrbaugh). You may want to start another thread about small handguns. I think the change of subject will get this thread locked soon.