Best "Gun Values" publication?
It is my opinion that the internet has had a direct impact on the value (pricing) of guns. In the case of old, used, antique or collectible guns, the internet favors the seller. In the case of new guns, the internet favors the buyer.
I am also of the opinion that every paper publication that I have bought and read in the last few years purporting to list gun values have been totally worthless. Forgive my rant, but I just returned from the bookstore today and the only true statement I found in a few of the supposed "gun value" publications was the disclaimer...loose interpretation...we may not know what we're talking about, the values may be something totally different than what we print here, don't rely on this book when buying or selling a gun, etc., you get the drift.
I am also of the opinion that every paper publication that I have bought and read in the last few years purporting to list gun values have been totally worthless. Forgive my rant, but I just returned from the bookstore today and the only true statement I found in a few of the supposed "gun value" publications was the disclaimer...loose interpretation...we may not know what we're talking about, the values may be something totally different than what we print here, don't rely on this book when buying or selling a gun, etc., you get the drift.
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I use the Standard Catalog Of Firearms and The Blue Book Of Firearms Values. They are not accurate in any way when it comes to modern values, in fact there are several sections that have not been updated in 10 years. But they do give a good history of the gun and provide a great history, that and a base of the value is what you need. 0 -
I keep a copy of Stoeger's The Gun Trader's Guide handy for reference. It is very useful for finding out things like approximate dates of manufacture and variations of finish or barrel length.
In the 21st Century it seems unlikely that any ink-and-paper publications could be considered to be definative concerning absolute values.0 -
I agree completely, especially when it comes to the older pieces, which are my main focus. Flaydermans is the bible when it comes to antique firearms, but the values listed are coming up on 7 years out of date from print, and figure it took at least a couple of years to update them, so coming up more on 10 years out of date.
Of course, condition has such a huge impact on the antiques, that any prices can only be considered a guideline, and never an actual value.
That said, I wouldn't use any printed publication as an absolute on gun values, just because things can change so quickly depending on historical events, legislation, or just because some cool movie comes out, like "Unforgiven" and everybody suddenly wants a Schofield revolver, and Spencer rifle (actually it was a carbine in the movie, but they referred to it as a rifle).0 -
Searching the completed auctions, sorted by highest number of bids first... 0 -
Any gun, like anything else, is worth what someone will pay for it. 0 -
My gun dealer friends are known to get on this site, sitting behind the table at a show, and search the completed auctions for less common items. It seems to be the leading reference. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by agman1999
My gun dealer friends are known to get on this site, sitting behind the table at a show, and search the completed auctions for less common items. It seems to be the leading reference.
It certainly makes good sense.0
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