How much should I pay for an Enfield Tower?

[PedroB]

Someone I know has one and wants to sell it to me, cheap.
But I don't want to cheat them. Any idea what one of these is worth? It's in quite good condition. The stock shows some wear and tear but nothing major. The lock is in good shape and the springs all feel good and strong to me. Even the Frizzen gives off decent sparks. The barrel looks (to this untrained eye) like it's been well oiled all this time and he's kept it in a locked vault without moisture in it.
So, any ideas?

 

[Okwaho]

Are we talking about an old gun here? You said "Enfield Tower"and mentioned the frizzen.Some more info would be great and if possible a picture.It sounds interesting.
Tom Patton

 

[PedroB]

I should have given more info. Unfortunately that's pretty much all I have. It's a flintlock. Marked Tower and then a date of 17 something something (it's hard to make out I think the third digit is an 8 or a 0 but not sure) and the letters GR on it too.
I'll try and take a rubbing and see if that helps a bit.

 

You don't give enough info for a good ID, but based on what we have, it is a British musket but to tell which one, more info is needed, like photo's. For a complete gun, with no missing or broken parts, barrel not shortened (especially important), stock intact with very little battering of bruising, retail price (what you would pay a dealer, not what he would pay you) would begin at about $1500 to $1800. Without the seller certifying in writing as to condition, completeness and exactly what it is, I would not pay more than $800 to $1000, depending on condition.

 

[Okwaho]

Wheelock fan, other than the gun being some kind of flintlock and likely being of British origin,I don't have a clue as to what you have and NOBODY else does without a detailed description and some really good pictures.It could be a really nice piece or it could be a cobbled up clunker.I also don't know the provenance on this gun and I've seen a lot of fakes and semi-fakes out there over the years.I've also looked at a lot of over described and over valued guns. You need to be talking to at least two seasoned dealers and/or collectors of antique guns about this piece.It could be worth anything from $50.00 to several thousand and any amount in between.I don't want to burst anyone's bubble but the truth is that without GOOD pictures of both sides of the butt, butt plate,lock area,trigger guard,sideplate,the rear portion of the forestock,and the top of the barrel tang,nobody could give an accurate and informed opinion as to the type of gun and a rough guess as to estimated value.
Tom Patton

 

[PedroB]

Good advice and thanks very much.
I'm going to visit him tonight to talk about it and two other firarms he wants to sell.
I'll bring a camera and take some close-ups.

 

[TFoley]

Dear Sir - I did not know that the Enfield armoury actually made any flintlocks, perhaps Mr Robin can put us right there?

AFAIK - The 'Tower' marking denotes that the weapon was assembled from sets of jobbed-out pieces by any number of contractors, but that the Enfield Armory was the first totally ab initio manufacturing and assembly establishment to be set up.

Do not part with any money yet, eh?

tac