50 cal. Browning centennial mountain rifle

[TQMC]

Hi all well Its been a few years sence i picked up a smoke pole.Over the years I have built kits browned furniture and hunted with them. But the other day I stopped in our local scheels sporting goods store and was looking at there cap n ball revolvers. And out of the corner of my eye this beautiful dark wood came into veiw. Now I have always had an eye for a good women a tast for a smooth whisky and feel of a fine rifle!Anyway i couldnt resist and bought it for $349.99 plus tax! Now I know it has value in its unfired condition and comes with matching number #861 powder horn and case. But I really have the urge to keep it for my shooter!OK so should I just store this gem or enjoy the feel of it to my shoulder? :hmm:

 

[shootemup]

Hi there Dakota Sam, welcome to the forum.

In my opinion, the gun was built to shoot and doesn't do anybody a heck of a lot of good sitting on a wall.

I've never handled one of these guns but know there are a lot of folks who like them. Occasionally they come up for bid on the auction sites, but I never remember seeing one that cheap.

Souns like you did very well, congratulations. Got pics? :grin:

:hatsoff:
Spot

 

[bioprof]

The Cabelas in my town had one that they were asking about $800 for, but they are always twice as high as they should be on their firearms in their gun room. Nonetheless, I would say that you did well.

Maybe they had it marked down because it had been fired, ruining its value as a collectible. :rotf:

 

[mazo kid]

Even if you do shoot it, I don't think you will lessen the value as long as you care for it well. The Browning Mtn. Rifles are pretty much a high dollar rifle now; I remember way back when....a local store was selling them out for ~$200! Sure wish I had been in time to buy one....

 

[silverfox]

Sounds like you got a really good deal. Most I have seen lately do sell from $600 to $800 and that is for the rifle only not the case and powderhorn to boot. You didn't mention what caliber you got. I don't think I would call them highly collectible and high dollar guns. I would just shoot it and take good care of it. They are nice looking guns and most were good quality guns.
Fox :hatsoff:

 

[redwing]

Those rifles were made down in Morgan, Ut.and Slc. They were sold off very cheap when Browning went to the Inlines.
They are now of interest to collectors and the prices are getting up there. The rifle you describe is now going for $1,400.00 dollars in this area. You made a damn good buy. :thumbsup:

 

[Doc Rogers]

You got a SUPER deal, if it is in the original case with all the original stuff AND it is unfired.

I believe that the iron furniture and the 54 cal are the most desirable for the collectors, but all do well on the open market.

I have one in the above condition (unfired, iron, 54 cal, in original box with all papers and horn, etc) and have been told a number of times that if it is shot, the value to collectors drops by around 50%.

I am not a collector, and I am not sure if that is true.

But, I hate having a rifle that if I shoot it, it's value will drop off. So I figure that I'll try to sell it, get a bit of money for it, and then put the money toward another custom flinter!

Let the collectors have the unfired ones, I want one that I can shoot!

Doc

 

[Gemoke]

I had number 366# for about 5 years when I bought it, it had been stored since it was new and never fired I kept it that way for about a year and one day I thought what the heck and went ahead and shot the thing. from then on I shot it. not often but every once in awhile. it was just to heavy for me. then I got the flintlock bug and sold it to raise cash for a custom Lancaster.sometimes I miss it but then I look at that beautiful Lancaster 54 and it passes.good luck with your new gun.

 

[Zonie]

A few years ago, the Blue Book of Modern Black Powder Values placed the cased Browning about $150 higher in value than the regular Browning Mountain Rifle.
At that time the regular one was going for about $600 and I know they are worth more now.

That places your buy in the $800-$1000 area now.

Is that to valuable to shoot?
Well, I think that any of the guns I've built is worth more than that and I shoot them quite often.

Only you know if you want to shoot it or keep it unfired but, as others have said you should be able to shoot it and keep it in pristine condition if you don't bang it around and you clean it throughly.

 

[TQMC]

I have checked it out and bore is nice and clean no rust or signs of fireing. Clean around the nipple and hammer. The wrench xtra nipples cleaning jags are in new condition! The only deal is there are no papers or manual with this gun . I think the store probably didnt know what they had or just priced low because of the paper deal? Oh well its nice to have lady luck take a shine to me at least once in a while! If I can figure out how to download pics ill do that today.Ya all keep your nose in the wind and your eyes on the skyline!

 

[JOHN L. HINNANT]

Greetings Dakota Sam,

Some people go to jail fof the kind of buying you did.

In all seriounes, you got an umbelievable deal; both in price and quality.

I have owned a number of the JBM Rifles and have had the opportunity to shoot others belonging to friends. They have all been of excellant quality and exceptionally fine shooters.

By all means, you should shoot yours as I did with my Centennial Model and then always give it the utmost of care. After owning mine for 20 plus years and shooting it on a regular basis, I sold it 3 years ago for more that three times what I paid for it. My original purchase price was just a bit more than yours.

I still have my original JBMR in 50 caliber, which my wife took over in 1984 for her rifle.

Some here have critized the JBMR over a number of points. None of these points have been validated by me. My experience has been with 25 to 30 of these rifles.

Shoot your rifle. Enjoy shooting it and the bragging rights that go with it, and most of, maintain its value with more than prope care.

Best regards and good shooting,

John L. Hinnant

If you are not an NRA or NMLRA Member, why not? I am carrying your load.

Liberal/Socialist Politicians LIE!!! USA FREEDOMS DIE!!!!

 

[Rock Fish]

I had a J Browning in 50cal. It weight a ton but was solid and well made. The problem I had was it would blow the patch to shreads. I tried all combinations of balls and patches and could never find a solution. Finally sold it and about 5 years later I saw the same gun in a dealers rack in another state.

 

[tractorholic]

Personally, I'm not a collector of anything, I build and shoot. I thought the smoke pole was made to shoot. If I wanted a mantle piece I'd buy a non firing replica. Too much fun wasted on the ol mantle. So I believe.