Hello all! I’m considering buying these rifles, but have no idea of what to offer. I have not seen them yet, so I don’t have a clue if they have any manufacturers stamps. My friend is cleaning out his parents house and found them. He is asking for a reasonable offer. Any ideas on what this offer should be? Thanks in advance!
Need help please
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They all look custom made. You would pay about $1500.00 to $2000.00 or more each to have them built by a good builder. Maybe offer $4000.00 for the lot.
Without more pictures from different angles, it would be hard to put a value on them, they look like rifles from the 60s or 70s before there was as much reference material as there is today. These look home built, not custom, any builders signatures on the guns may make them more valuable. The one on the right looks really rough, not worth much, then there is the bore condition, there are lots of pitted bores on the older guns. They may have top notch components like Bill Large barrels or Roller locks which would make them be worth much more, there are a lot of variables in putting a value on older guns.
If it were me, I would have to look them over very closely before I bought any of them. They look run of the mill, if they were well maintained I would value them at $500 to $600 each for the good ones, more if they have any of the above-mentioned quality parts.
If it were me, I would have to look them over very closely before I bought any of them. They look run of the mill, if they were well maintained I would value them at $500 to $600 each for the good ones, more if they have any of the above-mentioned quality parts.
Really can't tell from the photograph exactly what they are. Any estimate would be some one's guess. Too many variables.
A variety of angles including close ups of lock, stock and barrels would be most helpful in providing you a better estimate. As said, bore condition is important too.
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Welcome to the forum. Post more pics especially the lock side.
Larry
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Welcome to the forum ! !
What is your friend asking for them ?
For a "friends price", if the bores are OK, I'd think the unmarked three with buttplates worth about $200-$250 each.
I wouldn't buy the one w/o a buttplate at all, unless I was forced to take it as part of a package deal for the bunch.
The guns with maker's marks would be worth more, as referred to above by Eric.
What is your friend asking for them ?
For a "friends price", if the bores are OK, I'd think the unmarked three with buttplates worth about $200-$250 each.
I wouldn't buy the one w/o a buttplate at all, unless I was forced to take it as part of a package deal for the bunch.
The guns with maker's marks would be worth more, as referred to above by Eric.
I agree with Eric, $500-600 each and I don't like the top one at all. Pietro the top gun does have a butt plate its just ugly .
Judging by the condition of outside of the barrels, I'd be scared to look at the bores. I wouldn't even talk price without seeing the bore condition. The top gun, as everyone is pointing out, is rough, maybe a cut down Fowler that the local porcupine gnawed the stock on?
If you get there and find, as Mr krewson said, that the guns are marked by established builders, or have high quality components, then you negotiate. If the bores are bad, they are project guns requiring a time and money investment.
If it's an option, take someone with you who knows what they're looking at. Don't get too excited at acquiring new toys, we've all been there, and it can go south quickly. An in person inspection may show you 1 or 2 really nice guns, it may show you a pile a parts for someone who likes to reconstruct, but ya gotta look them over closely.
If you get there and find, as Mr krewson said, that the guns are marked by established builders, or have high quality components, then you negotiate. If the bores are bad, they are project guns requiring a time and money investment.
If it's an option, take someone with you who knows what they're looking at. Don't get too excited at acquiring new toys, we've all been there, and it can go south quickly. An in person inspection may show you 1 or 2 really nice guns, it may show you a pile a parts for someone who likes to reconstruct, but ya gotta look them over closely.
I would bet that these guns will have bad bores +
The two at the bottom appear to be in halfway decent shape and have pretty nice wood. the third one has a lot of surface rust on the barrel and probably the bore looks the same and it has a crack in the butt stock. The fourth one is beat to crap. Honestly, I wouldn't give more than 800-1000 for the lot.
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I don't see a barrel on the top one.
Eric and Rawhide have given you very good advice. I was wanting to buy two "estate finds" that I thought were the holy grail until I examined them in person. My offer for them went from $1,000. each to $300. each! The seller was convinced he had antique gold and passed on my offer. Three months later after having three other buyers look over his guns and passing he called me back up to see if I would still pay $300. each and I also passed...Don't get excited by photos - go see the items first hand!
I just realized I could zoom in on the picture, yuck, I wouldn't buy any of them, poor architecture, poorly built and WAY too rusty.
Well, yes, I have to agree on the unique architecture. And I'm by no means an expert, but that's probably what made you think "home built."
Still, if one of them has a decent bore, for the right price, it could get the OP into the addiction of muzzleloading.
Just depends on if the current owner thinks he's got American history in his hands that should be worth thousands, or maybe he's reasonable and would sell for a decent price.
Still, if one of them has a decent bore, for the right price, it could get the OP into the addiction of muzzleloading.
Just depends on if the current owner thinks he's got American history in his hands that should be worth thousands, or maybe he's reasonable and would sell for a decent price.
Being a former dealer no more than 600 for the lot, figuring bores will be bad with maby one usable. Would need to inspect heavily before buying.
$4K no way at this point.
$4K no way at this point.
