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H&H Can't get an accurate appraisal Please Help..
reefdna
Member Posts: 2 ✭✭
I purchased this rifle at an auction a couple of months ago here in AZ. I have taken it to several places here in the valley for an appraisal and each time I am met with people who seem to try and take advantage of me being ignorant about these higher end rifles. Each one low-balled me and then hounded me to sell it to them. when I tried to leave they would follow me and keep trying to get me to sell them the gun. At one of the locations 3 employees followed me out of the showroom and tried to talk me into selling to them outside of the store.
Of course this bugged me to no end but made me wonder what the real value of this rifle is since people who are supposed to be experts are adamant about buying it instead of just appraising it. It is a beautiful rifle and I am hoping someone here can help me get a real unbiased opinion on the value of the gun.
The Rifle belonged to a wealthy man here in the valley who had a collection of hundreds of guns. the gentleman was diagnosed with Alzheimers and his adult daughters helped him to liquidate his massive collection at auction where I purchased it. the man said that he purchased the rifle in the 80's from Harry Lawson who is a custom rifle builder in Tucson AZ. He stated that he paid $4,695. he had it as the center piece of his collection and has never shot it. I have the original case with the original pamphlets and is in immaculate condition. Lastly the gentleman stated that it was the first one made which seems to be confirmed by the "No#1" that is stamped on the barrell, but I do not know for sure. I have some pictures if I can figure out how to post them. Thank you for your help ahead of time.
Stamped on the barrel: "375 H&H Mag H. Lawson model 650 No#1"
Ed C
Of course this bugged me to no end but made me wonder what the real value of this rifle is since people who are supposed to be experts are adamant about buying it instead of just appraising it. It is a beautiful rifle and I am hoping someone here can help me get a real unbiased opinion on the value of the gun.
The Rifle belonged to a wealthy man here in the valley who had a collection of hundreds of guns. the gentleman was diagnosed with Alzheimers and his adult daughters helped him to liquidate his massive collection at auction where I purchased it. the man said that he purchased the rifle in the 80's from Harry Lawson who is a custom rifle builder in Tucson AZ. He stated that he paid $4,695. he had it as the center piece of his collection and has never shot it. I have the original case with the original pamphlets and is in immaculate condition. Lastly the gentleman stated that it was the first one made which seems to be confirmed by the "No#1" that is stamped on the barrell, but I do not know for sure. I have some pictures if I can figure out how to post them. Thank you for your help ahead of time.
Stamped on the barrel: "375 H&H Mag H. Lawson model 650 No#1"
Ed C
Comments
Can you tell us (or show is through photos) what brand, type, and power scope? What mounts for the scope? And, most importantly what host action did mr. H. Lawson use to manufacture this rifle? What kind of barrel, if possible?
Right off the bat, I think what the original owner paid for it is pretty close to the value if you were to insure it. Can't vouch for the selling price, due to the uniqueness of the rifle (no past history of sales, etc.).
Perhaps someone reading this string will be able to chime in with knowledge of Mr. Lawson's work. Best, Joe
I think Givette has taken you in the right direction. What you own is a "Custom Harry Lawson rifle", not an "H&H". Harry may well have made only 1 of each "model number", but it doesn't really matter. The bottom line, there's no such thing as an accurate appraisal of ANY one-of-a-kind item; all you can get is an educated guess from someone who (hopefully) has more experience than you. You just bought the rifle; I'd say that it's "real" value is whatever you paid for it.
You mention the "original case". Did it come with a custom made wood case fitted for the rifle, or are you referring to the cheap commercial case pictured? That certainly could affect the "value".
If you are determined to get opinions from others, the least you can do is provide good quality photos. As Givette pointed out, we can't even see what type action it has. You might want to pay a professional photographer to do the job for you; I've found that most wedding photographers also do studio work. Then, you can show us, & email them to folks who sell high quality guns (Rock Island Auction, Old Town Station, Collectors Firearms) & ask their opinion as to what they think they could get for your rifle.
Neal
and came up with a couple of things.might check out this
{elsewhere}
{elsewhere} - H. Lawson & Co. 650 - Custom Rifles > Bolt Action ...Interesting custom bolt-action rifle by H. Lawson & Co., their 650 model, based on a Remington 700 receiver. Chambered in .30-'06, with an integral muzzle ...
https://www.{elsewhere} /.../H_Lawson_Co_650.htm?... - Cached - Similar
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High Bid: $900.00
SOLD
H Lawson 650 Custom 6.5 Rem Mag Rifle W Scope
H LAWSON 650 CUSTOM 6.5 REM MAG RIFLE W SCOPE Custom H. Lawson Co. model 650 6.5 Rem Mag bolt action rifle with Lyman scope and custom wood grain stock. Excellent condition, SN. 6806527. $1200 - 1800 March Militaria & Firearm Auction Saturday, March 1st at 10:00AM EST Preview The Entire Catalog @ www.AffiliatedAuctions.com Over 600 Lots: Edged Weapons, Firearms, Badges & Awards, Photos, Uniforms, Helmets
In the world of custom guns, the makers name has a lot to do with the value. And finding the right person to whom that name matters.
For instance, two rifles sitting side by side in a case and one was a famous maker such as Roy Weatherby, and it will bring much more than what the other one would. Both rifles if done well probably cost a pretty penny in their day to make. But without the name they fall into the "just another custom rifle". Although,in some cases, even to the untrained eye, the quality of work can be seen. If they look really nice, $500-600, maybe even a thousand. With a name, the same looking gun would bring $3-$4K. If you look around on some collectors sites Harry Lawsons name may pop up and you may find what the gun really is worth to the right people.
As a WAG (wild @$$-guess) looking at your rifle that it should even go out the door as "just another custom" for less than $1000. As noted though Harry was a custom maker. And since you can see incredible detail in the external, I'm presuming someone that dedicated would put the same amount of time into the internal workings of the rifle. That could then make it a $2000 rifle. Again, add a name that matters to a collector and that price goes up again.
{edit:}
I found one of his rifle's for sale on another site (GA) that looked pretty much like this one for $3295.
If it means anything, great art isn't always appreciated at first. If you looked at the history of great artits in painting you will find that one particularly exceptional artist (W. Bougereau) painted so well his critics (headed by the master fingerpainter himself, Matisse) accused him of copying photographs. Some true works of art sat rolled up in barn lofts and attics, in some cases for fifty years, until someone began to see again how good he was. I'd say hang onto that rifle.
It's late and I don't want to bore you with a dissertation of collectible rifles. But I thought it might be important to point out a couple of things for your consideration:
- "He stated that he paid $4,695." He might be mistaken although the price is certainly possible to achieve. In the '80s, maybe not.
- Store owners, employees, etc. are not what you should consider to be experts on custom rifles. They will attempt to separate you from your valuable rifle with a little bit money so they can crow about their coup. You need to find a real honest to goodness appraiser and pay him his fee to arrive at a proper value. As I mention below, call Harry's son Rick and discuss this with him.
HARRY LAWSON LLC
RIFLES: BOLT ACTION
Harry Lawson manufactures the 650 Series in both Mountaineer and Ultralite configurations. These bolt action rifles are custom order, and can be built on a customer supplied Remington 700 barreled action or the action can be purchased separately from $550 - $750. With a customer supplied action, prices start at $2,385 for Grade II XX wood. Additionally, the company customizes a customer supplied Weatherby Mark V barreled action. Prices start at $2,070 for Grade II XX wood.
Harry Lawson Co
3328 N Richey Blvd, Tucson AZ 85716
(520) 326-1117
Rick Lawson, Harry's son is continuing to run the business even though Harry has passed on. I suggest that you give him a call and discuss your thoughts with him. I'm sure he will be extremely helpful as that is his nature.
Best.