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I need your help with gun values.

ammomaker
I am going to a big gun auction tomorrow in a rural Missouri county and need to know what a couple of guns would be worth.

1. A Springfield Armory M1 Garand (30-06) new, only eight shots fired thru it.

2. An F.N. belgium semi-auto 7x 57 mauser
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Comments

4 comments

Date Votes
  • drsck
    We need more information. With regard to the Springfield Armory, M1 Garand, if it really is new then the MSRP is roughly $1370, but you should be able to get one for approx. $1100. The FN 49 is a little more complex. Is it all original? Are we talking military in "as issued condition or had some bubba monkeyed with it? What about the overall condition in terms of rust, stock dings, etc? What about missing parts? Without any more information, it's difficult to say whether it's worth $250 or $800. I realize it's difficult to provide more information since you probably haven't seen then yet, but every little bit will help. In any event let us know how it goes and what they sell for, even if they don't go home with you. Best of luck. more.
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  • ammomaker
    Both guns are owned by a FFL holder/gunsmith who is selling off his investment firearms. These two guns are from his personal collection and are in pristine condition. Like I said the Garand has had eight shots fired thru it and was purchased new from Springfield armory a number of years ago. The F.N. is of similar quality-- modifications, none. --- finish issues, nothing visble on either the stock or metal finishes.
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  • drsck
    Dear Ammomaker:
    Thanks for the additional infomation. The quick answer is that if you found the M1 on a table at a gun show near me (Ohio), it would probably be priced at $1150 and the dealer might settle for $1000. The FN49 would probably be priced at $800 and the dealer would take $700 or maybe $650. However, there is a good possibility that any dealer who had these on his table would also be going home with them, and this leads us to the more complex issues of "collectabilty" and "desirability." The sad reality is that, in spite of the fact that the fellow who had these rifles and is now selling them found them collectable and desirable, most folks would agree he is in a very small minority. With the M1, for example, in most cases a used and mismatched GI issue M1 is far easier to sell than the Springfield Armory M1. Some folks even look on the Springfield Armory version as a copy. Would you want an orignial Maserati of a copy of a Maserati? It's not too difficult to guess which one is going to appreciate in value. With the FN49 there is a similar concern about desirabilty and collectability. The FN is a wonderful rifle and, I think, they made fewer of the 7mm version than any of the others. But here we run into the issue of desirability because even though there may have been more in 30-06, and therefore it should be less valuable than the 7mm, it's not. The 30-06 is more desirable. In that same line, I doubt that there will ever be an "FN49 Collectors Association," although I may be wrong. There was a company that found and imported some original scopes and mounts a few years ago. I thought the price was way too high, but by the time I talked myself into paying the price, they were all gone. So, the moral is that there are some folks out there who appreciate the FNs. If you found one of those folks and it was a good day, he/she might not hesitate to pay $900 or $1000 for a 7mm version in great shape. There is currently a 7mm version for sale on another site for $1250, but it's been there for some time. There are also two in 8mm, including one sniper apparently without the scope and mount, for less than $900. In the final analysis, it comes down to how badly you want them. Do you want them bad enough to be the last bidder at the auction, regardless of the price? Or are you going to set a limit on how high you'll go before the auction and then stick to it? Personally, when I find a piece at a local auction that I like, I'm willing to pay a little more than I would at a local gun shop or gun show because I know that that particular piece hasn't been in circulation for some time, and there is no paper work. For me, local auction bidding goes something like this. Step 1 -- I leave the blue books and price guides at home, having done my homework ahead of time, I don't want to sit or stand there with some price guide as a crutch. The price guides can also be off because of regional desirability. Step 2 -- I arrive at the auction early to look things over and determine condition, etc. Step 3 -- based on my research and knowledge, I estimate what a particular piece in the same condtion would cost to buy at a shop or on the internet, including tax, fees, etc. Step 3 -- I ask myself if I really want it and can afford it at the moment, considering bills, etc. Step 4 -- I set a limit, knowing that there are some people out there will more money than sense and I don't want to get into a contest with one of them. If I know, based on my research that there is an FN49 in 7mm currently on the internet for $1250, I would be willing to go to $1300 or $1350 for a comparable one at auction. However, at the same time, I am also aware of the fact that I may be paying "too much." The key is that I want it and can afford it at that moment. The only regrets that I have when it comes to guns is the ones that I let get away. I've never regretted paying too much. For example, in 1973 I let a suitcase full of lugers get away becasue I wasn't willing to increase my offer by a few hundred dollars. Today, each of those pistols has a value greater than the amount I offered for the entire lot. As a result, when I pay too much, I may have to tell myself that I just bought it too early and that eventually the rest of the world will come to value this particular firearm just as much as I do. Well, I've rambled on too long. I hope that this has given you some basis for your thoughts and decision. Let us know what happens. Best of luck -- Steve
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  • Contender Man
    Your looking at a narrow market and probably no more than $1,000 for the Springfield with box, papers, etc. (add say $200-250 if unfired).

    The FN I'd say $900 +/- and that's again with papers, etc.

    They may make a number of gunshow trips before they sell regardless of wheather you've got a table or are walking them around, and everyone and their brother will try and beat you down on the $$$.

    Lastly, if your at an auction, typically the prices tend to run higher because people get caught up in things. I've seen a lot of guns auction off for 25% or better above general market prices. Set a FIRM $$$ figure in your mind and walk away if the bid goes above it.


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    If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!
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