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How much can history affect value?

cnsay
Friend is preparing to sell a 1885 Marlin lever action in 30-30 that was purchased by Major Frank Joshua North for use on the ranch owned by him and Bill Cody at the time. It has been passed down through his family, and his graet grandson recently passed and the widdow is hoping to sell it to cover some expenses. Problem is she can't find where he put the papaerwork for it yet. Supposedly has shipping papers from Marlin to North and Cody for two riffles, and a photo of the two of them on horseback with the riffle in Norths scabbord.

Currently estimating the rifle in 80-90% condition to be worth about 2200.00 but unknown how much the paperwork should add.
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Comments

6 comments

Date Votes
  • wpage
    History can have a big effect. Watch pawn stars and see. Without documentation you lack evidence of its collection value. The rest is hearsay in otherwords BS.
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  • beantownshootah
    Ok.

    Guns owned by historical figures can be worth a **LOT** more than otherwise identical guns with no special history. How much more depends on who it was, what their connection is to the gun, and mostly whose interested in purchasing.

    The BIG issue with a gun like this is that the value isn't in the gun, its in the STORY (ie PROVENANCE).

    Without good proof (ie PROVENANCE) that the gun is what you think it is, its value won't be more than any other similar one.
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  • rufe-snow
    He's going to have to get his facts straight first if he has any hope selling the Marlin to a collector. The 30-30 Cartridge wasn't brought to market by Winchester until 1894. The First Marlin chambered for it was the Model 1893, but obviously this was after 1894.
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  • cnsay
    quote:Originally posted by rufe-snow
    He's going to have to get his facts straight first if he has any hope selling the Marlin to a collector. The 30-30 Cartridge wasn't brought to market by Winchester until 1894. The First Marlin chambered for it was the Model 1893, but obviously this was after 1894.


    I do not know much about old Marlins, I am going off the date from oldguns.net by the serial number for when it was made. I have seen the 30-30 stamping on it. The history part is so far from the memory of a 70+ year old lady, still working on that. I have arrangements to get some pictures of it tomorrow so I can post them.
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  • cnsay
    Spent time at lunch looking at info for old Marlins, looks like the rifle is more likely made in 1920-1922. A little late to be owned by a guy who died in 1885. Still going to get some pics tomorrow. Maybe can get it revalued to a price I can afford. It is a nice old gun.
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  • Michibay
    Like anything else in life....It's not the STEAK that sells...it's the SIZZLE!
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