What is the value of the firearms?

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scaper

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A friend asked if I find out how much 4 of her late husband's firearms might be worth. I really don't know, so I'm hoping for some input from THR members. I would say that all are in average condition given their age. They are:
1. Winchester model 94 in 30 W.C.F. I think this is another way of saying 30-30. Serial # 1653XXX.
2. Remington model 31 pump action shotgun. I think it is 20 gauge. Serial # 522XXX
3. Remington model 581 .22 long rifle. Serial # 1002XXX.
4. Winchester model 250 .22 long rifle. Serial # not found.
Any idea or approximation of the value of any of these 4 will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
I would probably look on GunBroker or a similar site. There are places to determine condition on the net as well. Average does not really convey a definitive status..
 
average means nothing - post pics for better responses

If you are going to look on gunbroker, you need to look at CLOSED auctions to see what similar guns actually sold for, not just what some hopeful is asking

Find an LGS who has a Blue Book, then look in your area if you aren't willing to list and ship out of state - what one of those sells for in your area might be completely different than my area
 
Forget Blue Book, the closed GunBroker auctions are the most up-to-date numbers for most firearms.
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As someone who monitors GunBroker when looking to make gun purchases and who has actually bought several pistols from its auctions, I would take the prices that guns are sold there with a grain of salt.

What I have observed is there are a few sellers with very inflated ideas what their "rare" guns are worth. What throws the gun values out of kilter is that occasionally there may be one or two buyers ("collectors"?) who will pay the inflated asking prices after the gun has been re-listed multiple times with no bidders. I don't believe these auctions reflect the true market value of that gun.

On the other hand I have bought guns on GunBroker at what I thought were below market value just because no one else, for whatever reason, bid against me. I paid $405 for a P228 in excellent condition with a case, but only one mag. I am sure the seller was hoping to have a bidding war because it was a "no reserve" auction, but no one else bid. :D
 
The closest approximation of current gun values other than going door-to-door asking what people would pay for a particular gun, .............. is gun broker.

It's not science. But it's the best we've got. Period.
 
Wgsigs- that makes no sense. All anything is ever truly worth is only what someone will pay for it, regardless of you thinking its overpriced. Economics 101.
 
But one person, or one transaction does not determine the market. That was part of what I was trying to say. Someone paid $2,800 on GunBroker for a 9mm P220 because it was a Pistole 75, the official Swiss issued service pistol. However, another P75 went for $695 in Canada a few months earlier, and it had sat around for a while before it was finally purchased. They are not very common in the North America. but very common in Switzerland. I paid $295 for my well-worn exterior '77 9mm P220 Swiss police turn-in. So what is the market value for a former Swiss 9mm P220 service pistol?

I agree that GunBroker is a possible (good) source for determining market values of guns, however, their prices shouldn't be automatically taken at face value. Some understanding about the gun, and maybe the history of the auction(s) should be factored in. Just because one person is willing to pay an extreme premium for an item doesn't mean that that price is the market value and that anybody else is going to get that much for an identical item.

As people are fond of saying, and what I think JPG is saying, "a (gun) is worth whatever a buyer is willing to pay for it", but that may not be nor does it determine the market value of that item, unless that was the only one of that particular item. For example, if someone paid $10,000 for a Winchester model 250 .22 long rifle on GunBroker, that doe not automatically mean scaper, the OP, will get that much for his, or that that is its value, which is what I think he was originally asking. That is all I was trying to say.
 
As Mike said,

the closed GunBroker auctions are the most up-to-date numbers for most firearms.
Click to expand...

Gunbroker is the best source of contemporary prices for firearms. Anybody who says otherwise doesn't understand real world economics. It's "whatever the market will bear."
 
1. Winchester model 94 in 30 W.C.F. I think this is another way of saying 30-30. Serial # 1653XXX. ($450)
2. Remington model 31 pump action shotgun. I think it is 20 gauge. Serial # 522XXX ($275)
3. Remington model 581 .22 long rifle. Serial # 1002XXX. ($250)
4. Winchester model 250 .22 long rifle. Serial # not found.
($250)

About average numbers . The Winchester 94 made in 1950
 
Used guns on line are typically bought with an air of caution--sight unseen other than a few pictures, no chance to cycle the action, etc. Bidders tend to take that into account, and thus bid a little low in case they will also have to have some work done on their new gun.

Face-to-face transactions can yield higher sale prices (or lower) given the buyer has the chance for a closer examination and therefore knows what he's "bidding" on.
 
None are collector items. All are decent working guns. With just 4 to sell I would take them to a local shop and let him put them on consignment for a percentage. He will tag them at what he thinks they will bring and she doesn't have to mess with them.

BTW- I'll give her $175 for the 581 right now. My first gun was a 581 bought in 1967 and it was stolen in 1985. Wouldn't mind having another one like it.
 
All depends on what someone is willing to pay...
the replacement (insurance) value, the wholesale value and what a gun store will pay, are all different, and you have to realize that some guns in Like New In Box (with box and associated stuff) will sell for 3000 dollars, but a fair (50% finish worn with pitting) go for $150. Too many variable to say, esp. without pics.
 
prices

For what its worth, the Model 94 shows up regularly in my LGS and he sells them for $300-350 in average condition. I imagine he would offer half that amount when he purchases one.
 
LGS and he sells them for $300-350 in average condition.
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That's a real bargin for a pre-64 Winchester 94 . For a post 64 that woud sound more in line with what I see.

No doubt the condition is always a factor - all we can do here is give about average unless more info is available.
 
If I had some guns to sell, the first thing I do is check the Blue Book of Gun Values for an approximate value. Then, if I am interested, I'll search closed autions on GunBroker. The Blue Book gives you at least a reference point.

I would probably sell them via consignment at a local gunshop since I don't believe these are real valuable if I could. But you could list them GunBroker and see where the bidding goes. You just never know.
 
Forget Blue Book, the closed GunBroker auctions are the most up-to-date numbers for most firearms.
Click to expand...
most of my valuation when I buy comes from gunbroker closed auctions no reserve you can go back 90 days if need be. Take a good center average.
 
Thanks for all the feedback, especially Mnrivrat. Those are the kinds of price estimates I was looking for.
 
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