where to go to appraise older rifles

[Indyal]

A person that I know has several rifles that his grandfather used to own so I am guessing they are around 100 years old.
Where could he go to get these appraised?

 

[snapping turtle]

Common methods would be gun broker sold prices.

Their are several sites google will recommend which will get you into the ball bark.

You can buy the most current blue book of gun values.(most likely where I would start)
The are about 30 for the paperback one.

Now of this is done and something is very expensive/rare/unique/ pM me and I can get you in touch with someone who either knows the items real well or knows the market real well.

96 precent of value questions can be answered in the blue book of gun values. Does not include rapid rising of prices on high demand items but take into account trends and swings pretty well.

 

[Mgderf]

If you plan to pay for an appraisal, take your checkbook with you.
Quality appraisals aren't cheap, but as described above, you can get a really good ballpark idea from GunBroker sold auctions.
You could also post pics here and let Ingo tell you they are worth a dollar apiece, and offers for twice that...

 

[Jont22]

If you plan to pay for an appraisal, take your checkbook with you.
Quality appraisals aren't cheap, but as described above, you can get a really good ballpark idea from GunBroker sold auctions.
You could also post pics here and let Ingo tell you they are worth a dollar apiece, and offers for twice that...

I would gladly offer 3 times.

 

[Mij]

Just my two cents, all mentioned have been good. Several years of Blue Book can point out trends. And GB will tell current at that location. I’ve been also using truegunvalue.com for a while, it gives current market trends based on multiple sales in different regions. The three combined should get you a good idea of value. But unless you have intimate knowledge of firearms and the Variability of each model you may lose out on some. For collectibles condition is everything, and you must grade each with an unbiased eye. JMO, and good luck.

 

[223 Gunner]

To see completed auctions on Gunbroker, you have to have an acct.

 

[223 Gunner]

Posting pics on here will get you some honest feedback as to the value.

 

[Nugget]

To see completed auctions on Gunbroker, you have to have an acct.

I've had decent luck so far just by googling "Gunbroker (name/type of gun)" and clicking on all the results. Seems to pull up most items that are currently being auctioned as well as the most recent month or two of closed auctions. You'll get a bunch of dead links, but I just click around those.

Not to mention, a month paid subscription to GB would still be cheaper than a professional appraisal.

 

[223 Gunner]

Gunbroker is free, just like ebay. The only time there are fees is if you sell something.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Gunbroker is free, just like ebay. The only time there are fees is if you sell something.

IIRC, I had to give them a credit card number, which they did a "test charge" on to make sure I was legit, and then later refunded it. But it was just a one time thing. It's been several years ago though.

 

[Nugget]

Gunbroker is free, just like ebay. The only time there are fees is if you sell something.

Oh, I gotcha. You're just saying you have to sign up for an account to view closed auctions, not necessarily pay for anything. I might've been thinking of Armslist, which I believe went to a monthy subscription, maybe? (I've never actually used either service, so forgive my ignorance.)

In either case, my googling suggestion still stands, although it would probably be worth signing up for a free GB account to look at closed auctions if you're trying to appraise a valuable gun or collection for sale.

 

[223 Gunner]

IIRC, I had to give them a credit card number, which they did a "test charge" on to make sure I was legit, and then later refunded it. But it was just a one time thing. It's been several years ago though.

Yes. I forgot about that, I think they charge $1 if I remember correctly. And it did get refunded.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Yes. I forgot about that, I think they charge $1 if I remember correctly. And it did get refunded.

That's what I thought, but I've slept since then.

 

[223 Gunner]

Oh, I gotcha. You're just saying you have to sign up for an account to view closed auctions, not necessarily pay for anything. I might've been thinking of Armslist, which I believe went to a monthy subscription, maybe? (I've never actually used either service, so forgive my ignorance.)

In either case, my googling suggestion still stands, although it would probably be worth signing up for a free GB account to look at closed auctions if you're trying to appraise a valuable gun or collection for sale.

Exactly. I think GB competed auctions are the true gun market value. Of course looking at auctions that actually took bids and sold.
Just like anything, people can ask what they want for an item. Items that actually take bids and sell are the current market.

 

[edporch]

Common methods would be gun broker sold prices.
-Snip -

Gunbroker sold is good.
Just remember when you use this price, don't forget to add on the sales tax, shipping, transfer fees, possible credit card surcharge, etc to get a clearer idea of what the ACTUAL sales price was.

 

[1nderbeard]

no idea where you are.
one of the LGS in my area specializes in purchasing collections. In the past I've asked him to look at a old piece I got via inheritance and he was kind enough to chat with me about it. The shop is Premier Arms in Brownsburg IN.
Depends on how much you have, and how likely you are to sell I guess.