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Spectacular 60 year old collection WOW!

Ischia
I have known about this local collection since high school (I'm 62 now) Went to school with the owner's(passed away at 95) sons and remember the walls covered with weapons at the family home. Returned yesterday, after at least 50 years, to the home and was blown away. Brass frame Henrys, 1866's '73's 76's. 1849 ,1860 Colts,pepperboxs. Allen -Thurbers Flintlocks, an 1864 trapdoor Springfield that looked unfired. A Silver engraved and carved Blunderbuss that is better than any in the British Museum. My ? An 1849 Colt pocket pistol,factory engraved in 90% condition and '76 45/60 Winchester at 95% Any thoughts as to values? I'll get pictures this weekend or sooner. The collection is like a smaller version of the Cody museum. The condition of all the pieces is just stunning.

Thanks, Ischia

P.S. one son will keep the 2 modern shotguns,
cased Purdeys,a 28&.410 I was almost passing out by then.
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • Ischia
    The Mrs.is 93 and the sons don't need the money at all. Not hunters or firearms afficianados at all I suppose they kept the Purdys as they were gifts from their dad. Most likely unfired as well. Just VERY private people that I have known since I was 14. The Mrs.trusts me to do the right thing. It could take me several months just to check them all out and see what is there. They would never go for a public auction but thanks for the reply.

    Ischia
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  • jonk
    Greg Martin's is pretty good. I've bought 2 daggers through him. But like anything it is a toss up. He has a good reputation but doesn't get the traffic that gunbroker does. Gunrunner auctions is also quite good, but covers everything from junk up through very fine collectibles and is a bit lazy on his listings. Still I've seen things go for a higher dollar there than on some of the other sights. If you have anything that you think might go REALLY high- over $25k let's say- sothebys isn't a bad option either.

    Auction houses will charge a higher percentage than gunbroker but will do everything for you and some high dollar stuff often languishes on gb.

    So you have options, but which is best for you I can't say.
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  • golferboy426
    A auction house is the way to go. It is not a public auction and the owners are totally annomous if desired. They come to the owner's house ship the guns to their facility and investigate and put them in one of their scheduled auctions which usually happens 6 times per year. The house I frequent usually gets 15% of the sell price but for a collection like this might go lower
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  • leeblackman
    I agree with Goflerboy. Unless you are trying to figure out a way to keep them for yourself, if they wanna sell them and get the most, and auction house is definitely the way to go.
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  • partisan
    Auction house! This will bring the most money for each item!
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  • glabray
    GunBroker isn't the place to sell a lot of high quality guns. From the sound of your description, I'd have a go at selling it as a collection through one of the big auction houses with a solid reserve. You can always break the collection down later if it doesn't sell as a unit.
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  • tsr1965
    That sounds like a collection for a big, very well known auction house...like Butterfields. Sometime there are pieces of a collection that go together, and would compound the sale price individually if sold together. In otherwords, they woule each bring a higher price if sold as a pair, rather than individually.

    But at any rate, with as many WINCHESTER's as you list, I am sure there some of us that would love to see pictures...if possible.

    Best
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  • Robin
    Beware of potential significant income tax consequenses. The collectibles tax is currently at 28%. I would suggest seeking the advise of a qualified tax professional as part of a plan to sell or donate the collection.
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  • nmyers
    Most of the guns described are rare & in highly specialized areas. For some, there are only a handful of folks who can give an educated evaluation, & these experts would probably have to see them.

    A Henry, for example, could be worth anywhere from $10,000 to $10,000,000. (The scarcest is the factory engraved rifle given to President Lincoln, & is in the Smithsonian.)

    Ischia is just trying to share his excitement with us. (We'd be even more excited if he could post photos for us.) But, the family apparently hasn't asked Ischia for advice on disposition of the collection, so no point in our offering any.

    Neal
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  • Ischia
    I don't have first dibs on this collection. A closer friend of the family, who I went to college with is the main contact and has asked me to help in research. I suggested pictures and more detailed info on each piece so that thet may be put out there on GB auction for all to see. Waiting on better 35mm digitals so I don't waste anyone's time with poor quality photos. I didn't know GB prohibited sharing excitment over viewing such a quality collection. Very sorry. I also know everyone declares the income from the cash sale of a piece they had the good fortune to stumble upon at a bargin.

    Ischia
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  • Bert H.
    quote:Originally posted by Ischia
    I don't have first dibs on this collection. A closer friend of the family, who I went to college with is the main contact and has asked me to help in research. I suggested pictures and more detailed info on each piece so that thet may be put out there on GB auction for all to see. Waiting on better 35mm digitals so I don't waste anyone's time with poor quality photos. I didn't know GB prohibited sharing excitment over viewing such a quality collection. Very sorry. I also know everyone declares the income from the cash sale of a piece they had the good fortune to stumble upon at a bargin.

    Ischia


    Please ignore the those that do not share your excitement over seeing such a rare and interesting collection. Please send all the pictures you have my way... I will enjoy seeing them very much.
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