I am shocked by the current prices on guns I bought long ago for single digit percentages of what they sell for today. Some have barely kept pace with inflation. Some hit peaks in demand and are now dropping in value. Each gun should be investigated individually.
Look at the national auction houses, check sales history on Gunbroker. Proxybid is another source. In every example you find of real selling prices, subtract the true cost of the transaction. Some auction houses these days are close to a 25% commission to the seller. The buyer may have an additional fee. Transfers and shipping add to the cost to sell.
At gun shows in Virginia you have to transfer the ownership through a FFL at shows. Local auction houses that advertise through proxybid can get good prices. but if your gun is very rare or special it may be worth it to go with Rock Island for the chance of a bidding war.
I once carried 58 rifles to a local auctions house to help a friends widow get the best value for his collection. It ended up around $135k for an average of about $1k per firearm. I asked for nothing but was well rewarded for my efforts.
Look at the national auction houses, check sales history on Gunbroker. Proxybid is another source. In every example you find of real selling prices, subtract the true cost of the transaction. Some auction houses these days are close to a 25% commission to the seller. The buyer may have an additional fee. Transfers and shipping add to the cost to sell.
At gun shows in Virginia you have to transfer the ownership through a FFL at shows. Local auction houses that advertise through proxybid can get good prices. but if your gun is very rare or special it may be worth it to go with Rock Island for the chance of a bidding war.
I once carried 58 rifles to a local auctions house to help a friends widow get the best value for his collection. It ended up around $135k for an average of about $1k per firearm. I asked for nothing but was well rewarded for my efforts.
