Inherited a few guns and need your expertise

[Capt Steve]

About three weeks ago my best friend died unexpectedly of Kidney failure. He was only 63, a fellow veteran and deserved a lot more years than he got. His widow called me over to their house today to take inventory and possession of his guns, or at least all she has found so far (it's a big house). I wish the pics were better but what we have is:



Top left is the Ruger Mark 1 .177 air pistol in as new condition. Almost a match to my Browning as he bought it to have something to plink alongside of me. (o;

Top, a 12 gauge Remington Wingmaster Model 870 Serial # S30478XX
Nice walnut but the bluing is pretty well gone. Barrel looks good and the action is very smooth. I suspectmore neglect than use.

Next is a Colt "Agent" 38 Special Serial # A85OXX
Banged up somewhat but with a nice action and trigger, bluing is marginal and a chip out of the grip, barrel looks smooth and clean.

Next is the Marlin Model 60 .22 Tube Feed Serial #174324XX
Pretty good shape, barrel, walnut and bluing look good.

Next, my personal favorite, Ruger Model 10/22 Carbine Box Magazine
Serial# 113-302XX
Pretty nice shape (like the Marlin)

A couple of knives complete his legacy, one a nasty looking pigsticker in full auto and the other a double edged, wickedly sharp belt knife with scabard.

Here is my request: Can anyone shed any light on these guns? Approximate age, value etc? I'm thinking the Remington would be a good candidate for rebluing but have no clue as to the cost/is it worth doing. I'll be cleaning them up as best I can and test firing them all. I want her to keep the Colt as she lives in a rural area and is a tiny little thing. I think after it is cleaned up a bit and with some practice she will become comfortable as it will fit her small hands and 38's should not bark to much.

She told me keep what I like and do whatever with the rest. I'd like to get her a fair dollar for everything and plan on keeping the Ruger .22 and air pistol. Lastly I know absolutely nothing about the history of these guns. Here in Arizona private sales are legal but should I be investigating their history and if so how? What liability issues do you see here? What if they are stolen or were used in a crime? Just trying to help out a friend without getting anyone in trouble (especially me). What do you recommend? Any info or advice you care to share would be most appreciated, at least I'll have a couple of pieces to remember my friend by. Thanks for your help.

[o3rugby1]

Welcome to the forum and id keep the colt out of all of them. Then the ruger 10/22. Values well im sure some of these guys will post in a few.

[mtelkhntr]

With the recoil pad could one assume the 870 accepts 3" shells? Aging tells me it's probably fixed choke (modified) and does it have a vent rib? Regardless of all the nuances, an 870 is as bullet proof a pump shotgun you'll ever find. I don't know that I'd go the expense of a reblue. Give us a few more details if you have them and it will make it easier to find a number.

P.S. You were obviously a great a trusted friend and you're doing the right thing. I commend what you're doing. I've seen too many widows fleeced out of their husbands guns by money grubbing relatives or less that honorable friends.

[Capt Steve]

The Remington is a straight barrel no vent rib or chokes and stamped on the barrel "2 3/4 or shorter shells". I suspect it is fairly old. Any idea what bluing would cost (I have no clue)? Thanks.

[pinduck]

If the Remington were in excellent condition it would be worth about $350.00 at most in my area. In the condition noted about$175.00. In my opinon not worth the cost of rebluing ( about $200.00) unless you would want to keep it for sentimental reasons (would never recap cost) if selling it. The marlin 60 about $115.00. The Colt is the best and in my opinon the most valuable about $375.00 to $400.00. The Ruger I cant help you as have never owned one.
YMMV.
Glen

[TANKER]

I work a lot of gun shows for a buddy who owns a gunshop. The 870 is probably worth $150, they made a lot of them and they're still making them. The Marlin $50-$75. The Ruger $75-$100. The air pistol I'm not familiar with. The Colt is definitely the cream of the crop. Because of the condition I'd figure$200-$250. This is what I as a dealer would buy them for. AS direct sales to an individual add $25-$50 to each item.They are all good, solid using guns. None of them are collectors, the Colt because of condition.

[Alpo]

Your Ruger 10/22 was made in '74. You can date your Remington shotgun by the two or three-letter barrel code. Look here. Remington Dates of Manufacture

You can look up your Marlin's DOB here. Marlin Manufacture Dates

The Colt is from 1970.

[leswad]

Originally Posted by o3rugby1

Welcome to the forum.

????

I think he has a few more posts than most

[MP1983]

you may be able to sell the knifes here in the "accessories" area of the classifieds...

btw...I agree the Colt Agent would make a perfect personal protection gun for her, as long as she knows how it works & is willing to use it...

[Old 44 Guy]

The Colt was made in the '70's as a poor mans Detective Special. Same action but a lousey finish. They were a cheapo @ 85 bucks then. They are worth much more now. I saw one in Gun Traders for $575 which I think is a bit much.

[Lee Barner]

the marlin 60 was made in 83. subtract the first two numbers from 100. it appears to be an 18 rd tube vs the later 14 rd ones made to satisfy some state laws. lee

[quneur]

Wingmaster is an upgraded version of the Express. I would add $100 more. So, depending upon condition $250.

[OLDSTER]

Welcome to the forum from North Dakota. I hear that the BHO administration is going to be raiding homes where owners are suspected of hiding old Colt Agent snubbies I will glady remove that threat of confiscation, by "babysitting" that Colt for you for a decade or so

[Capt Steve]

Thanks for all of the replies and please keep the good info coming. I am going to clean them all and then get to the range this week. I'll report back after shooting them and then it will be time to decide where they go and for how much.

Right now I am planning on keeping the Ruger .22 Carbine and the pellet pistol. I want her to have the Colt, actually I would like to keep the Colt but she needs a gun and this one would be a good fit for her. I will be taking her to the range and getting her dialed in next week. The Remington and the Marlin will probably be for sale after I talk to her and she's coming for dinner on Saturday. I may end up taking them down to the LGS as prices can vary a lot depending on location.

Thanks again guys, you're the best!

[jaykellogg]

As you know, none of these are high dollar guns. The Colt would be if it were in better shape. Do you have armslist.com in your area? This is like Craigs list but for guns and related.

One option would be to buy an 18" 12 gauge barrel and install it on the shotty. You could judge better than I if she could handle it. That would cost about $125 plus a bit of shipping. I would go with 2 3/4" No 4 buckshot.

[30-30remchester]

The two knives could be interesting. The one looks to be a cheap automatic aka switchblade. If it is, then it is ileagal to sell or ship or move across state lines, so be careful. The other appears to be a German WWII knife of good value IF it is not a reproduction. If you could get closer photos of the knives I could help to appraise their value.

[Capt Steve]

The serious looking knife is stamped "Black Panther Olingen Germany and on the other side #064. It seems to be of high quality though I suspect it is more likely a good reproduction vs an actual WWII vintage. The pig sticker will just have to hang out on my work bench as I would hate to have to explain what I was doing with it in my pocket. (o; Thanks!

[30-30remchester]

CAPT STEVE,yes indeed you have a reproduction knife. It was a commercial post war knife meant for export. The knive is a close replica of a German WWII SA dagger aka storm troopers dagger.

[quneur]

You are hitting the market at the right time. LGS are running out of stock and can't get orders filled from the manufacturers. Some are desperate as no stock means no business. Your guns are not the most desired but if they shoot can go for more than what they're normally. How much depends upon where you live and how empty the store shelves are.