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value of old military rifles
rlfcjf
Member Posts: 310 ✭✭✭
Have inherited a couple of old rifles from my uncle. One is stamped U.S. Model of 1917 Eddystone number 53868. The other is stamped U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1903 number 1268807. Have a flea market coming up and am wondering what I should price them at. Both appear to be in really great condition and from what I can tell are original. Thanks
Comments
1917 and 1903 rifles if original as issued and in NRA excellent condition (Is that what "really great" means?) are worth a good bit of money.
I am sure that if you put up pictures somebody will guess a resale value.
If I was in your shoes, I would keep them as they go up in value a lot more than the stock market does.
You will eventually regret selling them.
Condition is, obviously everything. Over the past 2 years, I've paid from $ 450.00 to $ 750.00 (IIRC) for 1917s The $ 750.00 was a Winchester, and the Eddystone (Remington) will not demand that much unless in pristine condition.
An interwar 1903, again if in 100% original condition is a real crap-shoot. Look at the auction side under completed auctions and find the rifle that is closest to yours in age and condition to get yourself into the price range you can expect to get.
Betty yet, list the 1903 on the auction side with a number of good photos. Set your minimum price at whatever you need to get for the rifle, do not set a reserve, and let the fun begin.
OTOH, I would make sure that I knew the history of any inherited rifle before selling. Make sure that there are no other family members that have or had an attachment to the rifle through the previous owner. If you sell something that is meaningful to someone, you will never forgive yourself.
Brad Steele
1903 Springfield No. 1268807 left the Armory as a National Match.