How do you ask a question on the value of your firearm on WikiAnswers?

Answer 1

When asking about the value of a particular firearm, be as specific as possible. State the make, model, type of gun, country of manufacture, caliber or gauge, barrel length, and special features.

A serial number alone is not enough.

Each manufacturer used it's own number range. Numbers may be the same for guns made in different countries, guns of different models, different types and calibers. A serial number is often the least important attribute of a gun, since serial number data is frequently not available or only available from manufacturer for a fee.

A manufacturers name alone is not enough.

Browning, for instance, has been making pistols, rifles and shotguns for over 100 years. "A Browning" is a bad description.

For military guns, the country is not enough.

"A Russian rifle" can describe a $90 M44 carbine or a $4000 Finn-modified M24 carbine built on the same action.

The type of gun is not enough

SKS carbines, for instance, have been made in Russia, China, Albania and Yugoslavia. For AK clones, the list of manufacturers would take up a page. Different manufacturers have varying quality and features, plus some are rarer than others. All of this has bearing on the price.

Caliber is not enough

There have been millions of .32 caliber pistols made by hundreds of manufacturers. As a matter of fact, there is more than one .32 caliber. And let's not even get into 12 gauge shotguns. "What is the value of a gun in caliber X" is not a good question. It cannot be answered.

Any two of the above are not enough

Most manufacturers make multiple gun models in multiple calibers. "A 9mm Taurus" describes about 20 or so completely different firearms. They even made a 9mm revolver.

And then there is more

Some guns have been made in different finishes and grades. This is particularly true of shotguns. Some were made in stainless and in blued steel versions, like Ruger Six series revolvers. Sometimes the same gun came with different barrel lengths.

Accessories matter

A Browning Auto-5 with the original long barrel and fixed choke brings more than the same gun with a Cutts compensator or a variable choke stuck on the end of it. Original boxes, instruction books, additional choke tubes, magazines, extra barrels, all have value.

Condition is everything

A gun that has not been fired in years can be a well-preserved relic, or a rusty tomato stake. It's an important consideration in value. Some guns may be worth a lot even in horrendous condition, but that is kind of like finding a Van Gogh at a garage sale or winning the lottery. Don't count on it.

Gun shows are full of people trying to sell military guns they tried making into deer rifles with hacksaws and Dremels. A mint-condition P-17 Enfield is several hundred dollars. Same rifle after your uncle's garage gunsmithing experiment is a $50 dollar parts gun on a good day.

State the condition if you want an accurate answer.

To get the most accurate value

Take the gun to a competent gunsmith or an appraiser. There is no substitute. Best yet, get a second opinion. No real valuation can be made without a personal inspection. No website will ever be able to give you more than a very general ballpark, and especially no website where you cannot post a picture.

Opinion The answer above is excellent as a general guide on WikiAnswers. The best answers given on WikiAnswers are usually a value range.