Browning Hi power price check "T"

[ohio58]

I just happened to be the gun store the other day and saw a Hi Power Browning "T" series for sale.....the gun was from a collector that was selling a few pistols he had for years. It is in excellent condition, very nice wood on the grips, original pouch & manual, & 1 mag. No scratches anywhere and blueing is fantastic. What would be a fair price for this nice Hi Power ?
Thanks

 

[rellascout]

Condition means everything.

• Is the mag disconnect intact? If not do they at least have the parts.
• What kind of sights? Fixed or adjustable.
• Make sure it has the orginal ring hammer.
• Any aftermarket parts or is it 100% orginal, check the sights, trigger, slide stop, hammer and sear etc...
• Is the mag original to the gun?

Assuming everything is 100% the gun is worth $700 to $1000 depending on the market and what you are willing to pay. Many consider the T series to be the best of the BHPs. They are very nice and their fit and finish are stellar as a general rule. They also exhibit very nice out of the box triggers even with the mag disconnect intact. This makes them highly collectable. In order to max your value it should be unshot or very few rounds through it and it must be as close to NIB as possible. Every little nick scratch etc... shot down the barrel devalues it a little as a collector gun.

All that said are you looking to shoot the gun or is it going to be a safe queen. If it is a shooter I would not pay more than $700 to $800 which is about what you can get a NIB one for. To me paying $1000 for a collectable shooter does not compute but YMMV.

 

[ohio58]

Thanks Rellascout,

That is very helpful information, i will inspect this one very closely.
the seller wants to get $950 for it. This is the original owner of this 1967 pistol.

 

[rellascout]

That is a fair asking price. Most people think their T series guns are worth that much. You are certainly not getting ripped off at that price but at the same time it is not a super deal.

Think of it this way CDNN can sell you a NIB BHP with 2 mags and a polished blue finish for $750. IIRC so you are paying another $200 or so to have a T series which honestly is more sought after.

I would offer $850 if you love it settle on $900

 

[cpirtle]

Late last year I sold a T series in 99% condition with 2 mags and the original rug on Gunbroker for around $1300. That was on a $1 opening no reserve auction.

The market seems a little softer this year than last but for $900-950 I'd buy it. They aren't making any more T series and whether real or perceived it's the most desireable of the commercial BHP's.

 

[rellascout]

No one is bidding on these:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=234030001

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=234022759

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=236113265

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=235929563

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=236404832

 

[cpirtle]

No argument there. With the exception of one which is over priced, they all have been modified or appear in less than stated condition though.

I have been selling in online auctions since 1999 when I joined eBay and I can tell you the only true way to judge market prices is with a very low opening bid and no reserve auction. It takes a huge leap of faith but I've proven it hundreds of times and have only been slightly disappointed 2-3 times.

Reserve prices, high opening bids and bad pictures are the kiss of death for a gun auction.

I have seen guns I've sold on Gunbroker go for 20% more because of a bidding war than guns just as nice that have been relisted at average prices for months.

There are lots of factors online buyers look for but pictures and knowing they have the chance to own it when they bid is where the rubber hits the road.

Sorry to derail the discussion

 

[Litlman]

My most recent T series is mint & I paid $750 within the last year. A "C" series recently went for $860 on auction arms. I have a more used one that I got as a gift that is in 95% with 2 mags & an origional pouch. I wouldn't try to sell either for any price. Fit, finish & function are perfect. I don't booger with the mag disconect. MSRP on new one is $ about $700 0n new ones(I Think).