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Marlin 120 Trap: New condition! Value?

just1
Marlin 120 trap collected never shot by me in perfect condition. Second owner have had since about 2000 (could still find possibly the original owner if still alive and needed to). I am the one who took the plastic pieces off - my son remembers and he is now 22. Wish would not have done that now, while this gun is still kept as brand new. What is is worth? If not enough we want to shoot shoot trap with it if they are good shooters. Trying to decide if should continue to collect, shoot and enjoy, or sell to someone who wants to collect it. Only 298 made so not many new ones around like this one ever for sale:
{Elsewhere}

http://books.google.com/books?id=a9XL74ykUykC&pg=PA406&lpg=PA406&dq=marlin+120+trap&source=bl&ots=jDa9Ms1fjL&sig=uHmzPHk0oihzASnYH3BFM7jZU1s&hl=en&ei=3IR1TarCCJKqsAOFl-W1BA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDwQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=marlin 120 trap&f=false

Is mint. I also feel has a very low serial number if anyone knows the range of serial numbers when they were made 1973-1975.

Have heard is a copy of the Winchester model 12 and hence the number 120. Is build on the magnum action and some say was too expensive to produce so they stopped it. I guess sold in lower end gun places so the trap more expensive model with cut checkering gold cap and fancy wood for extra didn't seem a good thing to duck hunters who planned to use it. Some must have been bought and beaten as were under $230 new according to popular mechanics at the time:

http://books.google.com/books?id=LdQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA137&lpg=PA137&dq=marlin+120+trap&source=bl&ots=5Eco7VyTN0&sig=7I3POrsPX9D2bx27ufCdPRruP24&hl=en&ei=eoB2TdGGA4TUtQPdlZTQBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CDUQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=marlin 120 trap&f=false

Most people do not know what it is and because some of the other 120s had a monte carlo stock it gets confused for a gun only worth 300 or so maybe a bit more in new condition like mine. Should have left the stickers on it am thinkin' may still have around if look even.

So what is our Marlin 120 Trap worth in new condition?
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Comments

10 comments

Date Votes
  • rufe-snow
    Demand, ( two or more collectors competing for a item ) is what creates value. Unless you can find a number of folks who have the hots for your shotgun, I don't see it being a big buck item. No matter the serial number or condition. I would shoot and enjoy it, not likely it will loose any value as long as your careful with it.
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  • just1
    Still trying to find a range or a number.

    We have other shooters. Do not need it so still new.
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  • rufe-snow
    quote:Originally posted by just1
    Still trying to find a range or a number.

    We have other shooters. Do not need it so still new.



    Check the Blue Book, or post a question to that Marlin collectors forum, if none of our folks can come up with a value. Unfortunately the economy is still in the toilet with a lot of people out of work and millions of homes under water, not likely the Marlin is going to be a big buck item.
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  • just1
    We appreciate your feedback. It belongs in a museum or something. Kinda cool to have if nothing else as bought it on a whim from a fishing guide with a Remington 1100 for my boy. And an extra lower unit that is still on my boat.

    This gun is so rare it is not in the gun value books and is why we ask.

    Hope to find if someone has used one and hated it or loved it compared to others. We have other shotguns to shoot. Is a fun research project. For the first 8 or so years I owned it could not Google. Now it shows up on search engines. Some give them away for the Marlin 120 normal shotgun high price. Those unfortunate sellers and lucky buyers. Have heard of only one other new one like mine, and six others that were sold all together and collected by one not-known-by-us buyer for a reported 'mint' price new. So I have heard of 8 new guns including mine.
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  • Mk 19
    The 120 is worth, as you stated, $300 in perfect condition, there is no additional value placed to the 120 Trap or the 120 Slug Gun in collector circles today. Unfortunately it was a short run (1973-1975) gun that did not catch on with buyers when it was new and also has not not caught on with collectors 37 years later. If you are able to find a Marlin collector you might be able to squeeze an additional $100, but only if a bidding war erupts.
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  • Grasshopper
    As above,,,300. best..sorry to damper your gusto,,,but thats it.
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  • just1
    Many seem to think the book is always right and lists everything. Rare guns are not in the book and not listed. So how can it be given the same value as the other ones not the same? Not buying it.

    A "Model 120 Trap" engraved on the barrel model is not a normal 120 shotgun so should not be valued as one. Lumping the rare and different 'trap' model it in the pile is not OK here and do not agree. It is not the same as a normal Marlin 120 shotgun and not in the books is why was asked advise. $300 is not what the Marlin collectors who know what it is I've talked to say. Their numbers are over double yours. While everyone is welcome to their opinion and trying to see what people say. Commodities are easy to put value on, this is not a common gun.

    Thought would ask about something few have had one in their hands or heard of. The 120 Trap Model is so rare it is not listed specifically in the books because there is not much traffic of them because of the low 298 made number.
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  • rsnyder55
    As stated, rare does not necessarily equate to value. The value of an item is determined by the market in which an informed buyer and informed seller can agree to a price without duress.

    If there are no buyers, the value is zero, even though the seller may think it is worth $100,000.

    If you think it is rare and valuable, put it up for auction (here or one the the gun auction houses) along with all the details of your research and that will determine the shotguns true value.
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  • Grasshopper
    Well, I put up a 1891 Smith & Wesson 22 TARGET pistol 2 weeks ago. Made in mid 1890s,,in nickel finish,,,only 872 made period..value 630 as that was what it sold for and believe me it was much more a rare commodity than a Marlin 120 trap. Hope you get what you want,,but don't always work that way.
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  • just1
    This thread seems to have stalled, thank you to those who replied. Decided overnight to share a bit more information about the `Marlin 120 Trap' shotgun I've recently found when doing research.

    Here is one of the places where heard of the guy buying six of these new just to sell to collectors. It is also a link from last summer where someone is saying used ones he had seen going in the $450-$750 range while not sure how reliable the source is and my gun is in new condition (NOTE: mr. Ky the guy at the 615 number and I are in contact and he is not going to sell his for $300 either):
    http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php?topic=55933.0

    Many Marlin 120s were used. It is not something collected. So having a new one may be more rare than some think. A link to some people talking about how seldom Marlin 120 Trap shotguns are seen is at:
    http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=174253

    There is some demand for these things, but seems to be with hard core Marlin collectors. Not sure if they hang out here or not as am new. Noticed since the single shot craze has taken off there seems to be a growing number of Marlin brand fans over the last decade. When I got this thing it was so rare could not Google it. So have found it is a fun research project.
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