Whats your highest appreciation gun?

jetjky · Apr 22, 2023

I hope this thread is in the correct folder, if not please dispense the rod of discipline on me and excuse for my ignorance. Because I have been selling several things from a friend's family, I have been amazed at the valuations of some guns. Seems like any Russian rifle brings top price. Sold a Saiga Iz 7.62 for $1200.

So I thought . . . suppose I passed next week. My wife would have no idea what my firearms would be worth, thought I should "make the list". So many widows get taken advantage of when cashing out the collection. Shocked I tell you . . . at the valuation of the old MAK 90 (Chinese import) I bought back in 93 when based in NV. $182 out the door. I found an old ad, attached it for a laugh. Some of these rifles are now selling at $1400. Thats my submission. Who would have ever thought a cheap ChiCom rifle would appreciate like that?

JohnRippert · Apr 22, 2023

I expect it is my two AIM Surplus $89.95 Swiss K-31s. AIM is selling them these days for $899.95

GypsmJim · Apr 22, 2023

I have Mausers and Mosins that originally sold in the 1990's for $39, and that even included a bayonet and a leather ammo pouch. They all go for in the $500-550 range now. Bit that's not a tremendous appreciation, considering inflation.

So, my entry in this thread is a Commercial 1911 (not A1) that was manufactured in 1924. It's a transitional model (before A1) and it it's version was specifically listed by serial number range in the recent Gun Trader's Guide. Current Book Value is $12,000.

Dad bought it in 1972 at a well known gun shop for 85 bucks. It's 100% original, un-molested and probably 90% condition.

It's not for sale......LOL.

ralph7 · Apr 22, 2023

Colt SAA and military 1911 and A1's.
Snake named Colts.

Chuck24 · Apr 22, 2023

If I count the ones my dad originally bought the M-1 carbines are right up there. If you do it by original price probably the Registered Magnums

Narragansett · Apr 22, 2023

Years ago, before the Federal Firearms Act of 1968. I bought a 1917 Eddystone Enfield from the DCM for 8.00 delivered. Could have paid 7.00, but the extra dollar was for a special selection. By the way, that was a shipped price.

. I traded that like an idiot, but I found one in a LGS store corner in 72 for 35.00. Dark oily would that would sweat oil when you fired it.

I bought 2 surplus black walnut stocks from Ruvel for 5.00 each, and a complete set of hand guards. I fashioned one of the stocks to a sporter stock and I finished the other to full military. Hand guards too, and put no less than twenty coats of satin hand rubbed tung oil on both. It has a military sling.

This one is a Remington. I have no idea what it is worth, but I am sure north of 1K. It is in my safe, unfired for near 50 years.

I think all the time about selling it.

xfarfuldog · Apr 22, 2023

I bought a HKP7M13 through the LE program for IIRC a little over $ 400 in about 1984. Unfortunately sold it after getting married and needing a bigger house. Theyr'e going for $ 8000 plus now. Later had a used P7M10 which are worth more.

TJm15.38 · Apr 22, 2023

In 1986 I went through a course of fire with the M-1 Garand at a Department of Civilian Marksmanship affiliated gun club in Pascagoula, Mississippi. After that certificate, I earned the right to buy a M-1 rifle direct from DCM. I went through the entire application process to include fingerprinting and ordered the rifle from Anniston, Alabama. Four months later, I received my rifle, a Springfield Armory M-1 service grade. I still have it and will never sell it. The price was $95 plus $65 shipping. I shoot it, although not frequently; it is accurate and milspec. DCM is now CMP and they still have the sale of my rifle on record. A Garand from CMP will now cost at least $750 and higher for a basic M-1.

Ivan the Butcher · Apr 22, 2023

I have a tiny 22 revolver that was made for vest pockets from a famous rifele company: It is a Sedgley Baby Hammerless. I pain $15 in the late 70's/early 80's, by 1990 was over $1000, no idea now!

Ivan

JayCeeNC · Apr 22, 2023

Bought a Steyr AUG 5.56mm rifle in 1988 for $600. Came with an extra left-handed bolt and 6 mags.
Shot it in 3-gun competitions for a few years, kept track and I put 16,000 rounds thru it.
The first half-inch of the bore was shot out.
Sold the left-handed bolt to a Canadian shooter for $100 at a match.
Sold it in August 1994 (assault rifle ban chaos era) for $2500 with one mag. Sold the other 5 mags for $50 each.

Rubone · Apr 22, 2023

I bought a Colt Diamondback 4" .22 from a workmate in about 1991 for $150, it is ten times that much now!
Got a Mini 30 for free
Lots of stories like that in my safe....

Hair Trigger · Apr 23, 2023

I suppose my highest appreciated firearm would be my "US Property" marked Colt 1903 Model M. It was given to me by my stepfather 22 years ago, and according to the article in last month's American Rifleman (I Have This Old Gun), it's worth around $3K.

Tu_S · Apr 23, 2023

Not counting the NFA stuff that Dad bought before 86 and then registered, probably this unfired Norinco 56S-1 with the accessories and original packaging from the 80's, which I inherited from Dad.

Also inherited this unfired SP1 from '81. Haven't looked at prices on them in a few years now since I have no intention of selling anything, but I'm guessing the Norinco would beat the SP1 just because the SP1 cost more back then.

Lonegle57 · Apr 23, 2023

Mine may be an unfired Colt-Sharps, a gift from my ex father-in-law. While he was alive he asked I not shoot it, still unfired. Have a thing for single shot rifles, am thinking of letting it go though, lean toward Ruger no1's.

BAM-BAM · Apr 23, 2023

6 1/2" 99% Registered Magnum I bought around 2000 for $325.

SnidelyWhiplash · Apr 23, 2023

Lonegle57 said:
Mine may be an unfired Colt-Sharps, a gift from my ex father-in-law. While he was alive he asked I not shoot it, still unfired. Have a thing for single shot rifles, am thinking of letting it go though, lean toward Ruger no1's.

Talk to me before you sell that…if you decide to. A Colt Sharps is on my bucket list of guns.

bushmaster1313 · Apr 23, 2023

After 25 years living in the Peoples Republik of New Jersey, the Bruen decision caused my most appreciated gun to be my EDC Sig P365.

mauser9 · Apr 23, 2023

A 98k would be mine. Bringback from dad. Paid $0 for it. I would say it has appreciated quite a bit these days!! LOL

jetjky · Apr 23, 2023

GypsmJim said:
I have Mausers and Mosins that originally sold in the 1990's for $39, and that even included a bayonet and a leather ammo pouch. They all go for in the $500-550 range now. Bit that's not a tremendous appreciation, considering inflation.

So, my entry in this thread is a Commercial 1911 (not A1) that was manufactured in 1924. It's a transitional model (before A1) and it it's version was specifically listed by serial number range in the recent Gun Trader's Guide. Current Book Value is $12,000.

Dad bought it in 1972 at a well known gun shop for 85 bucks. It's 100% original, un-molested and probably 90% condition.

It's not for sale......LOL.

Wow . . . amazing. I bet nobody in the thread can top that.

jetjky · Apr 23, 2023

xfarfuldog said:
I bought a HKP7M13 through the LE program for IIRC a little over $ 400 in about 1984. Unfortunately sold it after getting married and needing a bigger house. Theyr'e going for $ 8000 plus now. Later had a used P7M10 which are worth more.

Seems that story is repeated many times. If I had held stocks like Apple, Calliway Golf, etc . . . my collection of toys would be much larger. My biggest regret was in making a trade for my Colt series III ACP which was the personal build of a famous USMC gunsmith . . . traded it for that new Colt disaster of a pistol that was supposed to change the world, the Colt 2000. Drag me in the yard and beat me with a cane!

Whats your highest appreciation gun?

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