What is the value of a jc Higgins model 583 12 gauge shotgun?

Answer 1

This gun is often mistaken as a AYA Matador. The Matador was mass produced and does not really compare to the AYA J.C. Higgins Model 100. Very few were made in 1954-55. It was the first gun made by AYA in Eibar Spain for Sears to show the huge American store what a fine Spanish gunmaker could do in 1954. They made this "pilot" gun with all hand polished workings and rust blued barrels. Very fine. They made a BEST boxlock very similar to a Winchester 21 flatside. It sold in the Sears 1954 Christmas catalog for $125. They do sell now (2007-8) for as little as $450 but have sold recently for as much as $1000. They will continue to rise in value as collectors and gunsmiths realize the gun is trully special.