Herter's bolt action .243, value?

[otis24]

A friend of a friend has a Herter's bolt action .243 for sale. I know nothing about these rifles. Looks to be in good shape overall. What is the value of these firearms? It had what I thought was xx3 on the barrel, but it could have been xk3. Thanks for any information you can provide.

 

[Fishinfool]

Not enough info. Herters used a variety of actions on their rifles over the years, including the commercial FN Mauser action. An FN made rifle with nice wood would be a good find.

Larry

 

[sourdough44]

It should have XK3 on the barrel. They were made in Yugoslavia and and Germany for Herters. Some were further customized along the way.

I think the average value is in the $275-350 range. Of course with an older gun, condition and care are a biggie.

 

[ken158]

Like many guns sold by Sears, Western Auto and other companies that commissioned guns - value will be minimal as they are hard to sell. Maybe $200 if lucky. Might make a good truck gun for somebody.

 

[Texas Star]

Some used BSA actions. I think they called those the U-9 model.

 

[Bruce51]

I checked my 1975 Guns Illustrated for more information.

Herter's sold these in three different grades.

Hunter's
Supreme
Presentation

It is either a Mark J9 or Mark U9 with the U9 being the more expensive model.

It would be interesting if it had an FN action.

It may be a great bargain if the price is right.

BLM

 

[WaMike]

And I owned a Springfield '03 converted by Herter's at some point.

 

[gregintenn]

Like many guns sold by Sears, Western Auto and other companies that commissioned guns - value will be minimal as they are hard to sell. Maybe $200 if lucky. Might make a good truck gun for somebody.

I'll take all you can get at that price assuming they are in good working order.

 

[Texas Star]

I checked my 1975 Guns Illustrated for more information.

Herter's sold these in three different grades.

Hunter's
Supreme
Presentation

It is either a Mark J9 or Mark U9 with the U9 being the more expensive model.

It would be interesting if it had an FN action.

It may be a great bargain if the price is right.

BLM

Pretty sure that a U-9 used the BSA action. Photo would be conclusive.

 

[2152hq]

Herter's 'XK3' was a Mauser 98 clone.

The earliest (early 60's) were made in W Germany for Herters. The actions should be stamped somewhere 'Made in ((W) Germany'. Sometimes the markings including serial number of the action are under the wood line on the assembled guns. This is pre-GCA so things were a little easier then.
All steel inclu the trigger guard and floor plate. Sliding side safety,no Mauser 'wing' safety on the shroud. Solid left wall.
An FN Browning type 98 ejector/bolt release on the left side held in place with a large headed screw. Not the classic Mauser style and it fails the looks test for many. But it's functional and more steamlined than the original design,,hows that for a marketing point.

Shortly after that, Herter's started having the action made in Yugoslavia by ZCZ. They are marked as such,,again sometimes under the wood line. The German made ones were probably too expensive,,or the Yugo made ones just too inexpensive to pass up for the mail order co. Also called the XK3,,also all steel.

The XK3 became the J9 still later. Still made by ZCZ in Yugoslavia. A few had narrow integrel scope rails, but I don't recall the mounts being offered.
Still a 98 Mauser clone and all steel as above.
All of these sold as actions, bbld actions and complete rifles.
Two action lengths available.

Some are nicely made and finished,,especially the German production. Some are rough machined and sloppy polished w/a soft wheel. That's usually found in the J9 production from Yugoslavia.
Judge each on it's own and as far as value,,no more than any other 98 Americanized Sporter would sell for. They aren't exactly rare, but a German made XK3 can be a nicely made action.
I think Herters had them bbl'd in the USA w/Douglas bbls,,at least early on. Markings and any bbl proofs of foreign origin can tell a different story.

The 'U9' was built on the BSA action as already pointed out.
I think they used the basic BSA 'Monarch' action for the Herters rifles,,but seems that there was something different about the Herters guns.
They should be well Brit proof marked on the action. Herter sporters again may show less than the careful workmanship of the BSA marked rifles. But any can be a good buy if you're not lable consious and don't go wild in bidding.