Estate Guns...deal, or no deal?

[Joshua M.]

Well, I think I finally got a deal on some guns. A buddy of mine called me yesterday and wanted to know if I'd be interested in buying some old guns from his Grandfather's estate. I said, I will definitely take a look at them and asked if he was sure he wanted to sell them.

I went up and looked at them and jotted a few notes down and came home and did a little research before offering a price. I called him back and offered what I thought was a pretty decent offer, but didn't figure he'd go for it...but he did...

I am now trying to clean them and do a little more research before deciding which, if any I want to keep before trying to make some money on turning them around. The list is as follows...

Erma LA-22... Good shape, with the original orange hard plastic box, but missing the front site spade, Looks like it was broken off)

Sears and Roebuck, (manufactured by J.C. Higgins) 538.19...I think, bolt action 20 gauge in ok shape.

Ithaca M-49 single shot lever action .22, kinda rough, but shoots sweet

Stevens 59B tube fed bolt action .410, good shape, I think I'm gonna keep it around for rabbits.

Winchester 97, 12 ga. really in pretty good shape, other than the bluing is pretty much non existent, but it has a Williams sight on the receiver.

Remington 33, single shot bolt action .22, pretty rough shape, but good shooter

??Excel?? no model number just says Excel, and the serial number, single shot break open .410, o.k. shape...

Any info on these or insight would be greatly appreciated, I gave him $400 for the collection, and he was happy, but I think I can make some money off them. I will post pics once I get them checked over and cleaned up...Thanks

 

[robhof]

Sounds like you did ok, the best way to get an idea of prices is to search them on gun auction sites; gunbroker.com, auctionarms.com, and gunsamerica.com. That'll give you an idea of their going prices. Pawn shop buy prices would be about 1/3rd to 1/2 of going rate at best, bolt action shotguns usually pawn for $50 or less depending on condition.

 

[orionengnr]

If you use gunbroker, make sure and check completed auctions, to see what they actually sold for.
As opposed to some of the more "optimistic" asking prices.

 

[Rail Driver]

I think you made out ok, but I doubt you'll make much money off them. The Erma isn't worth $50, but you might get a decent payday out of the Ithaca and the Winchester. The rest are sub-$100 guns in good shape, and you mention that yours are in rough shape.

(just my opinion and experience in my area... your mileage may vary)

 

[Hunterdad]

I'd be interested in that Ithaca M49.

 

[FROGO207]

And I thought "deal or no deal" was a TV show. Well it sounds as though you made out well on the whole. If you were planning to keep one and sell the others to break even on the whole thing you may or not depending on how well the others "shine up". There are places where parts can be obtained for repairs. Numerich/Gunparts Corp or Brownells come to mind. I have been in your shoes, as they say, before. I had a ball taking the firearms apart, cleaning, and restoring them. I made no great amount of money but sold them to some guys that would use and appreciate them rather than have them sit in a corner somewhere and rust to useless hunks of steel. I am glad when a good old gun is returned to service and loved again---a happy ending.

Or a new beginning!!

 

[Smokin Gator]

Depending on the condition, you have a good chance of getting your $400 back on the 97 Winchester. They are very popular with cowboy action shooters. Mark

 

[Joshua M.]

Well, I took them all out and checked them over good, and shot all of them. They all shoot, and are really a lot better shape than I had thought. I took them each apart to get a good thorough cleaning, and inspection. After a good de-crudding, and some 000 steel wool, followed up by some Rem Oil, they are in good clean working order. I would post pictures, but every time I try, they end up not working. The Erma, seems to be the biggest let down, as it just doesn't seem like it quite right.