If you were looking at two identical models in exactly the same condition, would a two-year-old model be worth the same amount, worth more, or worth less than a ten-year-old version?
My take.........Age is not everything in evaluating a firearm's value, but condition
is. No two firearms will ever be in exactly the same condition.
The difference between two and ten years of age will not matter assuming there were no engineering changes or changes in production techniques. The condition will matter, however. If the condition of two like guns appears to be the same, then you need to spend more time handling and evaluating firearms. Learn the wear patterns on specific models, and how they develop through use. They will tell the story, even on NIB appearing guns.
That being said, there are sometimes variations that can only be determined through serial numbers, such as different heat treatments. You will see these on pre-war S&W revolvers.
Then there are other considerations..... I was recently comparing two nickel Colt Commanders at a gun show. One was priced at $629 and was essentially an original gun. The other was $675 and had the sights replaced, the ejection port flared, and the chamber throated. I tore down both guns, and I determined that they had similar round counts and the wear was essentially the same, although the unaltered gun had marks showing the barrel feet were striking the frame. The serial numbers, while not consecutive, were close enough together that it indicated the original owner had bought both at the same time. I could neither justify nor afford to buy both guns.
Most people would say the altered Commander should have been priced lower. Afterall, it was no longer original. The seller had set the prices though, and would only budge 10% to ease the taxes. I decided to buy/trade for the higher priced, altered Commander because I know myself. I would be altering this pistol. Having improved sights and a throated chamber was valuable to me. I validated the seller's price by buying the pistol. A strict collector would call me nuts. I figure I would leave the unaltered Colt for the strict collector.
Remember.......The Blue Book and others resources like it are only guides. They are at best two year old after action reports on sales, not absolutes. Prices are set by those making the deal. The seller always sets prices. The buyer always validates prices. The price guides only report this activity two years later when the data has been collected, categorized and published.
