How to sell antique firearms

[Fritz423]

I posted previously about some antiques from a family estate, and as predicted I have been asked to dispose of them. Problem is I don't know where to start.

The estate has been a lot of work and I don't have the time to go around to gun shows. I called Cabelas-they don't do antiques. Craigslist is out. I looked at the classifieds here and I couldn't tell how to distinguish between reproductions and originals.

Any ideas? I was sure I would find a FAQ here but no joy.

 

[Robby]

Track of the Wolf does consignment sales. Place ad's here, place ad's on other sites like American Long Rifle. Ask around on those other muzzleloader sites, there are many there that are collectors and very knowledgable about antiques. Good luck!!
Robby

 

[Rifleman1776]

Are they genuine antiques? Or just some old guns like a 1970s TC 'hawken'? If the real deal contact reputable auction houses that specialize in guns. Some internet searching should find them for you.

 

[Coot]

Clay Smith (Clay Smith Guns) in Williamsburg, VA is a retired Colonial Williamsburg gunsmith who makes muzzleloaders and who sells both original and contemporary muzzleloaders on consignment. I have both bought and sold thru him.

 

[arcticap]

Are they genuine antiques? Or just some old guns like a 1970s TC 'hawken'? If the real deal contact reputable auction houses that specialize in guns. Some internet searching should find them for you.

I agree.
A good gun auction house will often have national exposure with online live auction capability and a proven record of results.
They can all have different fees,
They also have different calendars so try to find one with an upcoming gun auction that coincides with when you want to sell.
If you can meet up with an auction house staff, they should be able to go through the guns with you and provide approximate estimates of their value.

Depending on the number of guns and type, another route would be to contact one of the Texas Gun Collectors Associations in your area
and try to make contact with a member who is an antique gun dealer that may be willing to buy the guns for resale or to help sell them for you.

Some of the large cities in Texas have their own gun collectors associations and there is also a Texas state association.

Some large gun shops will also buy estate antique guns especially if desirable. Collectors Firearms in Houston is famous for selling antique guns nationwide.
They probably buy them outright if you're located close enough to visit them. Or perhaps you could also ship the guns directly to them for appraisal.

Any good gun shop that sells guns online can help to sell [antique] guns on Gunbroker or other gun sales & auction sites.

 

[crankshaft]

Fees are high enough to surprise you.

 

[Bad Karma]

You could start right here on the classified section. There are many avid shooters and collectors right here and there are also other similar Black Powder and muzzleloader oriented sites as well.

 

[Le Loup]

I posted previously about some antiques from a family estate, and as predicted I have been asked to dispose of them. Problem is I don't know where to start.

The estate has been a lot of work and I don't have the time to go around to gun shows. I called Cabelas-they don't do antiques. Craigslist is out. I looked at the classifieds here and I couldn't tell how to distinguish between reproductions and originals.

Any ideas? I was sure I would find a FAQ here but no joy.

I recommend that you contact an auction house.
Keith.

 

[Melnic]

How far from Houston are you?
collectorsfirearms.com

contact them and ask what they take for consignment. You would get less $ if they buy them outright.

 

[Robert an saa fan]

You might check with Heritage Auctions in Dallas. https://www.ha.com/

I am not endorsing them and have no experience with them. Got on their mailing list when they acquired Greg Martin Auctions. They seem like a big outfit and have a firearms auction scheduled in June on their website.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Fees are high enough to surprise you.

Usually 15%.

 

[Scota4570]

I am still unclear on what you have. Why no post some photos here or a link to photos? Include overall side views, the lock area and barrel signatures. Be sure the photos are clear.

 

[waarp8nt]

I have sold with Simpson LTD before. They recently raised their rate from 15% to 20%, so I doubt I sell with them again.

In my experience most auction houses charge a variety of rates depending on what the item sells for; for example the higher the final bid, the lower the commission fee, a lower final bid can be a substantially higher commission fee. If your selling a large number of items, you may be able to negotiate a flat commission percentage for the whole lot rather than each item individually.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Dixie Gun Works (Hunter Kirkland) used to buy and sell antique and reproduction muzzleloaders.

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...hain/343,605,611/name/Miscellaneous+Longarms/

Repros, too.

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index.../343,605,609/name/Contemporary+PAKY+Longarms/

 

[Fritz423]

I am still unclear on what you have. Why no post some photos here or a link to photos? Include overall side views, the lock area and barrel signatures. Be sure the photos are clear.

I have posted pictures of two on this forum but my understanding is not to post for sale pictures in forums other than classifieds.

 

[Fritz423]

I agree.
A good gun auction house will often have national exposure with online live auction capability and a proven record of results.
They can all have different fees,
They also have different calendars so try to find one with an upcoming gun auction that coincides with when you want to sell.
If you can meet up with an auction house staff, they should be able to go through the guns with you and provide approximate estimates of their value.

Depending on the number of guns and type, another route would be to contact one of the Texas Gun Collectors Associations in your area
and try to make contact with a member who is an antique gun dealer that may be willing to buy the guns for resale or to help sell them for you.

Some of the large cities in Texas have their own gun collectors associations and there is also a Texas state association.

Some large gun shops will also buy estate antique guns especially if desirable. Collectors Firearms in Houston is famous for selling antique guns nationwide.
They probably buy them outright if you're located close enough to visit them. Or perhaps you could also ship the guns directly to them for appraisal.

Any good gun shop that sells guns online can help to sell [antique] guns on Gunbroker or other gun sales & auction sites.

My offspring live in Houston (you try to raise them right and still...) so maybe I will try this Collectors Firearms. Lots of good ideas.

 

[Fritz423]

Are they genuine antiques? Or just some old guns like a 1970s TC 'hawken'? If the real deal contact reputable auction houses that specialize in guns. Some internet searching should find them for you.

They are genuine. Several posted here previously: Austrian Lorenz, 1840s St. Etienne Fowler, Jenks Mule ear carbine (reserved by estate). There is a Jukar .45 reproduction.

 

[Fritz423]

Usually 15%.

Doing this for widow, hate to trade convenience for better price, but my time isn't chopped liver either...

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Put them on Gunbroker and start at $1.00. They will sell for what the market will bare. I have sold a ton of guns there.

 

[Scota4570]

The Jenks is worth 2 to 5 grand dependin on condition. Julia auction may be a good place to go. The French looking gun with the ugly cheek piece is probably not valuable.