Engraved Centennial Value

[Russ S.]

Locally someone is offering a 1956 Centennial in nickel with full coverage aftermarket engraving that looks to be well done (no signature). Suppose to be in mint condition and asking $1600, is this price fair (seems high to me)?
Thanks!

 

[murphydog]

Welcome! If it is not factory (or factory contracted) engraving or not done by a noted engraver, to me its value would be highly subjective - meaning if the coverage and style appeal to you, it would be worth more than if it didn't. I think the price is at the low end of what a factory engraved gun might bring. Photos would help here, and good luck in your decision.

 

[Russ S.]

Thanks Alan, unfortunately I can't post a picture. For comparison purposes, what would a similar untouched gun be worth?

 

[murphydog]

A very nice steel frame pre-model stamped Centennial without a box or paperwork would probably be $600-700 depending on the level of niceness.

 

[gmborkovic]

Hello Russ and welcome. The few engraved gun collectors I know, all like some kind of provenance. You have a 60 year old gun. I would start with the present owner and try to establish some kind of time line. I have spoken with some pretty sharp old guys that can give you a pretty good idea. Or spring for the $1600 and roll the dice. Best

 

[Russ S.]

I think the current owner is just a gun flipper, and he says it's not factory work or signed, so I don't think there's much of a chance to get more background. As a flipper I think he's looking for an optimistic top dollar, and the experts here have pretty much confirmed that (thanks guys!). I don't like buying from guys like this so I'll have to think if I really want to pursue it or not, but if I do it will definitely be for less - and he'll probably balk at my "low ball" offer. We'll see.

 

[Bat Guano]

There's engraving, and then there's engraving. Without provenance or some authentication, you're very much on your own. Minus that and/or photos, at least look for the obvious--are the scrolls well executed, round, flowing and graceful, or just hacked out. Are any lines ruler straight and exact? Same with inlays. Animals, if any, look natural, or does a deer look like a Jersey cow? A magnifying glass helps. With good engraving, it continues to look good. Poor engraving looks worse and worse under magnification.

 

[Russ S.]

Thanks Bat, good advice

 

[H Richard]

If you could get some very sharp close up pictures of the gun engraving, someone might be able to recognize the engraver, or at least offer a critique of the quality of the engraving.

 

[Dillyp]

I've seen the centennial you speak of. His $1600 price tag is a bit ridiculous to be honest. He has a non factory engraved 66 for about the same price also. Without a letter or some provenance, it's about a $900- 1000 gun IMO.

 

[Dillyp]

Also, he has had it for a while now.

 

[Russ S.]

Yeah, I don't get a good feeling from this guy - a lot of guns listed under different sources at premium prices. When you get that funny feeling it's always best to just move on.