Where do I start?

[kelly bradley]

Hello all. I have been given the responsibility of updating my father's gun collection. I have a list of about 130 guns that include a brief description and a serial number. How do I look up guns by serial number? Will I need to purchase the current catalogs of each manufacturer?

Once I have as much detail as possible, can you suggest a reputable auction house? I am willing to sell each gun one at one time myself, but it would be easier to turn the collection over to an auction house, I'm sure. I just want to do what is best for my mother.

Any suggestions welcome.

 

[Rule3]

I do not know how much you are into firearms but I would suggest buying the current Blue Book.

The values listed are a guide depending on condition. They are not absolute. It depends on make, model, condition. At least it will give you a ballpark idea of approximate value. You may have really collectable or just run of the mill or a combination. Some other more experience sellers will chime in to give you more info.

Blue Book of Gun Values: Thirty-Third Edition Book by S.P. Fjestad

 

[feralmerril]

How gun savy are you? What type guns are they? Antiques or modern? Tell us where you are comeing from and we may be able to steer you the right direction.

 

[NFrameFred]

It can be a daunting task with that many guns if you're not an enthusiast, and has been mentioned reference books that many rely on for price are just a beginning general guideline, as small engineering changes, percent of finish, originality and a fickle market can swing values drastically.

Best to find someone knowledgeable you can trust for help. The folks here are a deep well of good information, but like I said, with that many guns just a list and a general description is only going to get you so far. Someone with the knowledge looking at the guns realistically is the only way to focus on true values, otherwise no matter what, you're just getting "ball park" figures with real values contingent on many sometimes subtle variables.

 

[kelly bradley]

I know NOTHING about guns. All I have to go by this the information listed on my dad's spreadsheet, which includes the price he paid for each gun and the value he placed on the gun in 2009. He has traded and collected his entire adult life and kept good records. I know he has multiple books and catalogs; I just haven't looked at them yet. I wasn't sure how up to date they need to be. I have no idea if the guns are old or new, unfortunately.

I guess I can start with ordering the blue book mentioned above to try to update the values. I would just like to keep it simple
I appreciate the help!

 

[kelly bradley]

You're right. I was considering contacting someone about doing an appraisal. There are stores within an hour or two away that sell modern and antique firearms; I will call and see if they will do appraisals and willing to travel to do so.

 

[P&R Fan]

Condolences for your loss.
One thing I hope you won't do is go into a dealer and see what he will give. They are there to make a profit, so they will give you a fraction of the true value. That is not to slam dealers, it's just a business, and they gotta make money too.
An auction will require a percentage. Not sure how much, but it may or may not be worth it.
Consider selling some here. You will need an FFL holder to ship, but you will get a great deal of exposure here. They don't just have to be Smith & Wessons, anything can be listed that's legal.
Take your time if you can. You'll make out a lot better that way.
Jim

 

[feralmerril]

Any gunshop or pawn shop you deal with is going to offer you about 30% of what any one gun is worth if sold right. I wouldnt do it! You need to find some gun savy friend that can look at what you have and let us know. You might be able to sell the smith & wessons right here, colts on the colt chat site, the winchesters and marlins on the levergunner site, rugers on the ruger chat site etc, IF they are name brands like that.
Probley the fastest and most profitable thing to do is use a auction house in your circumstance. BUT NOT UNLESS these are rare high end or antique type guns. I wouldnt try them with what I call christmas tree guns, you know, modern generic available type guns and brands.
We now need a general list of what type guns we are talking about. After that its condition etc. By smart selling it s a probley a factor of at least X3 low to high in your situation!

 

[BearBio]

In my experience and those of my friends:

1. Blue book is always low. I would, from personal experience, double blue book (AT LEAST).
2. Gun shops, even if you have a long established relationship, and it appears you do not, will offer you, at best, 25 to 35% of actual sale value.
3. Gunbroker and GunsAmerica can give you an idea of what people are ASKING, what people are WILLING to bid and what guns actually SELL for.
4. Same for auction houses as gun shops.

As feralmerrill says, you could offer a list here and see what sells and what doesn't. First: Review the rules at several chat rooms regarding selling. Second: By getting a list that considers as many sources as possible, you can narrow the range then have someone look it over.
Third: We all have our own areas of expertise. Fourth: Get a book, such as Flayderman's that has the grading systems. Use that to describe condition. Five: Offer to pay your experts. Six: Look at all the factors and then make a tentative price list and have one or two of your experts review it. Seven: Price things a little high (maybe 10 per cent) and go from there. You can sell individually, in small groups or en masse. But fore informed is fore warned.

Without seeing your guns, total value could range from $3000 to $300,000 or more.

 

[Onomea]

Well, let's hope Kelly comes back and reads the later posts before selling them to a local dealer....

 

[Viss]

Kelly, you mention that your father was a lifelong collector,and left you with a spreadsheet with 2009 values. I would think that these values could be close. You could take a firearm from the spreadsheet and search the online auction sites and compare some completed auctions to the value on the spreadsheet. Good Luck and God Bless.

 

[Bullet Bob]

It would help if the original poster would at least what state he or she lives in, could be near a reputable person we could direct them to.

 

[rags]

Condolences for your loss.
Take your time if you can. You'll make out a lot better that way.
Jim

Very well said.

 

[DeathGrip]

Kelly, First my condolences.

Already you have some great advice here so your start has already happened and it's as good as it gets.

The members here are the most knowledgeable anywhere. Even on other makes. It stands to reason that if you like S&W's you probably like other guns as well. I'll wager to bet your Dads collection isn't just one kind either.

If I could speak on behalf of others here, We're all gun nuts, We happen to like S&W the most. ( and Winchersters. speaking for myself )