S & W Question

[silo33]

I have a family member that passed away a couple of years ago. He had a large collections of guns. At Thanksgiving his widow brought me some of them (24) and said that she would like for me start finding new homes for them. We are just getting started, she just grabbed some and brought them randomly. There are a couple of Rugers, one that I don't already have that I plan to buy. There are also some Smiths. Four Pythons and an Anaconda so far. These are original production and I am not familiar with the them enough to know any added value that they may have, for example is there a serial number run that I should look for that could add value to a collector.

She has no idea of what she has or the value of what some of these are. I just to make sure as we work though these that I try to get the value out of them that I can.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Todd

 

[hittman]

Advice depends on how much time you want to invest in it.
If you and she want to maximize her return Id search out a local or regional auction company with a good reputation and experience with guns.
Good luck to you.

 

[XUSNORDIE]

This comes up often. My advice is to have the firearms appraised by a reputable LGS, and add (at minimum) 15-20% to any offer from an appraisal.

 

[flattop44]

You may want to go to Gunbroker and look at what a specific gun sold for. Not what people are asking for a specific gun but what they sold for.
FT44

 

[GypsmJim]

You may want to go to Gunbroker and look at what a specific gun sold for. Not what people are asking for a specific gun but what they sold for.
FT44

THAT's the right answer. With that data go to a local LGS. You might only get 50-60%, but the dealer has to make a profit too.

 

[Hvymax]

Might be worth getting Factory Letters for them.

 

[rugerguy]

sorry but no need to 'add' any extra cost for a letter to anything you are trying to sell now, as noted above by 'flatop 44', the checking on "sold for" prices" on any on line sales such as Gunbroker, costs NOTHING and lets you know what the market value is not an "asking" price" or a blue book price that is al;ready at least one year behind in printed values, as well as the fact the books are regional, some items well for more or less in different parts of the country, yes get an appraisal if you want butt here again lots is one persons opinion and you really need to get a few, and average it out...and lastly any auction sites or people, there are fees, both for the buyers as well as the sellers and thusly does not always work out, I know for a fact that just recently when our friend Bill E., known as 'appleman' here on the forum had his guns both from the shop as well as his personal guns , handled by Rock Island auctions they did NOT get him anywhere near the values of any of the guns they auctioned for the family and there was over 600 of them,, yes very sad, and again I KNOW some of the ones that we talked with the people who got them ,got them for far less than his wife was offered for them, yes we offered them on 5 of the guns and they went for less than half what we offered....caveat emptor baby, and good luck:cool::rolleyes:;)

 

[GypsmJim]

Might be worth getting Factory Letters for them.

Letters are expensive. If you have a single item that has value and provenance, a letter might offer value if an aficionado wants to buy your gun. In this case, with the volume involved, the price of the letter might not be cost effective.

Depends what you got to sell.

 

[Cofaler]

Completed auctions on gunbroker are a good start, it's hard data and not just an opinion. Fees should be taken into consideration when pricing, and what people are willing to pay in shipping and transfers factor in as well.

Here is an example: I bought a 6" Security Six on Gunbroker last week, sale price was $427.99. Shipping was $35, and fees were $43 and change, I sent them a postal MO for a bit over $506, and I still have to pay a $35 transfer fee and $12.50 for the background check when I pick it up.

Your area is a big factor. Timing as well. Tax refunds are just around the corner, probably a good thing.

I've never found the "Book of Gun Values" to be even close to what stuff actually sells for either. Usually the number in the book affects one party or the other, and that is the party that 'whips out the book'.

 

[Cornfield]

Completed sales on gunbroker is a good source,also I would check out a local gun show for info and local gun classifieds as well and average it out.

 

[Hvymax]

What stinks is what you can get for used guns even in perfect condition. Of course there is almost no market for Grandpa Guns anymore. My friend has dozens of beautiful examples of premium Bolt action hunting rifles from the 40's, 50's and 60's. They have been in his inventory for around 10 years.
What I could get for my Dan Wesson 44 setup with multiple barrels, scope, Custom Holster, almost flawless Bluing and tight lockup would barely buy a new RIA 357 revolver!!!

 

[JiminMaine]

I have a family member that passed away a couple of years ago. He had a large collections of guns. At Thanksgiving his widow brought me some of them (24) and said that she would like for me start finding new homes for them. We are just getting started, she just grabbed some and brought them randomly. There are a couple of Rugers, one that I don't already have that I plan to buy. There are also some Smiths. Four Pythons and an Anaconda so far. These are original production and I am not familiar with the them enough to know any added value that they may have, for example is there a serial number run that I should look for that could add value to a collector.

She has no idea of what she has or the value of what some of these are. I just to make sure as we work though these that I try to get the value out of them that I can.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Todd

You might want to contact one of the big firearms auction houses and see if they would list them in their auctions. I don't know how close you are to RIA (Rock Island Auctions).

I live close to Poulin's Auctions and have sold a few firearms through them for much more than I could get for them locally.

 

[Cornfield]

The Smith and Wessons can be broken down in a few categories, pre model numbers = model numbers started around 1956. Pinned and recessed ended around 1980. Pre lock ends around 1996. Of course condition, in the box , barrel lengths and calibers can raise values . There is a Smith Wesson collectors book available as well that has values in it.

 

[BIgMuddy]

I went through this for a friend this past fall. He had decided before his passing to use RIA. Many of his collectible Colts were purchased through RIA. They made a lot of promises but the guns sold for WAY less than the value. I feel like they took advantage of the situation. Would never recommend them.

Dan

 

[Klondike Mike]

You could list them here. I'm sure that there would be some interest especially in the Rugers. The last few gun shows that I've done I noticed the prices of original Pythons are going for around three thousand dollars depending on condition. Maybe check out the S&W and Colt Collectors forums too. The auction houses are always a bit of a gamble but they will take big collections if time is an issue. Best of luck and condolences to your friend.

 

[contender]

Auctions are a crap shoot.

Some places,, don't have a clue about the little variations that can make a gun rare, or common. I've bought guns at auctions that were worth way more than what they thought it was,, and I've seen auctioneers try & "sell" an item claiming all kinds of false info on how rare it is.

Gunbroker give a person a real world, real time set of values if you study the completed auctions section. But do not just look at one or two sales,, look at all of them AND the details they provided.

Selling a collection should include as many details as possible. That way,, buyers can see if it's rarer, or not. We here on this forum,, many know the small details that drive demand & prices up,, OR,, recognizing the item as more common. It's the same with all serious collectors.

When I help someone with a gun sale,, I do serious research. The details matter.

 

[weaselmeatgravy]

Pythons always surprise me when I see them sell at auction. I have wanted a 6" blue one ever since seeing them in the J.C. Penny display case for $325 in the early 1970's when I was a young teen. That was when a Security Six was about $95. Nowadays, a minty boxed Security Six from back then might go for $650 but the Python could fetch $2500. About proportional appreciation, and the Pythons remain out of my comfort zone for affordability.

25 years ago, when an Anaconda was an $800 gun, there was one advertised for $400 in our free classified ad weekly paper which I picked up on the day it came out, and by the time I got to a phone, it was not only gone, but the guy said he had a dozen calls on it. I've recently seen the original Anacondas sell for $4K at auction.

A live auction house will charge about 20% commission to sell (and then charge the buyer another 15-20% to buy). GunBroker has much lower selling fees and no buyer's premium (but they do collect sales tax). I have found that to get the highest return on a very desirable firearm is to list it on GunBroker for a penny minimum bid and no reserve. That draws people in early and when other folks see a high number of bids on a listing, they often want to join the party. Inevitably, they don't sell to the first or second bidders, but getting it started for a low amount gets the ball rolling for the big dogs to finish it.

That doesn't always work so well on run of the mill stuff and I have been burned a few times listing Rugers that I personally thought of as very desirable, but the rest of the public yawned at. But a Python or Anaconda should do well that way. Also with the more desirable S&W's.

 

[Hawk-in-Wi]

if you decide to have some one sell them for you , talk to Locust Fork on gunbroker

mckaygunsales@gmail

she is a top 100 seller and only charges 10% plus the gunbroker fees, probably one of the better ways to go

 

[Bering Sea Veteran]

I have a Blue Book of Gun Values in my safe, bluebookofgunvalues.com/shop/44th-edition-blue-book-of-gun-values. My family knows where it is and know to use it first. I highly recommend you get a copy and check each guns value.

 

[Hvymax]

I think you would do best on the brand collectors site.

 

[GypsmJim]

I have a Blue Book of Gun Values in my safe, bluebookofgunvalues.com/shop/44th-edition-blue-book-of-gun-values. My family knows where it is and know to use it first. I highly recommend you get a copy and check each guns value.

I used to buy that book every few years. Then I started comparing the numbers to completed online sales. The book values are not a good comparison.

 

[Lt92]

What stinks is what you can get for used guns even in perfect condition. Of course there is almost no market for Grandpa Guns anymore. My friend has dozens of beautiful examples of premium Bolt action hunting rifles from the 40's, 50's and 60's. They have been in his inventory for around 10 years.
What I could get for my Dan Wesson 44 setup with multiple barrels, scope, Custom Holster, almost flawless Bluing and tight lockup would barely buy a new RIA 357 revolver!!!

Very true..."our" tastes in nearly everything have changed so dramatically. So many have ephemeral wants..." I want the newest, shiniest, 'thing' like I see on TV or heaven forbid, YouTube...and I want it NOW... don't give me this antique stuff !

 

[freakindawgen]

Had a great LGS he loved making sales. Always had what I needed and way under retail. I had several guns stolen and needed replacement cost for the restitution. 3 other stores understood the assignment and quoted me full retail. My guy is giving me the deal of my life. So I didn't use it and came back with the restitution. That was back in the 90's found some trustworthy fellas but I miss him the most.

 

[carbonfibrebob]

Has anyone here used Bryant Ridge for sales?

https://bryantridge.com/?utm_source...il&utm_term=0_487618fc86-1cb0060fd5-461379680

 

[larry8]

If you want to sell all of the guns at one time then go to an auction house, they will charge you at least 20% and buy them for 50% of their value. If you have the time, sell them on Gun Broker ONE AT A TIME. You will get the highest price with low Gun Broker fees for each one, but it takes a good bit of your time to do that.

 

[RC44Mag]

And put some up for sale right here

 

[gnappi]

I think of the Blue Book as a mechanism for dealers to beat you down trade in value, in other words worthless to me

 

[GasGuzzler]

Completed, not just sold, listings on GunBroker only help if you plan to sell there. They have inflated prices because of the reach and the fact more people bid when more people are exposed. Do NOT use those prices for local sales. You'll never sell them. With that many, I would look for a local estate "sucker upper". Every area has one.