7 Tips on Antique Gun Values for New Collectors

Gun collecting is an expensive hobby that many people can’t recall what got them into it. Nobody really sets out to be a gun collector.

Most collectors started out owning just one gun at some point in their lives. Usually, at a young age. As time went on, those gun owners began to grow their collection without realizing what was happening. Until, one day, they were a gun collector.

The point is everyone has their reasons for wanting to collect guns. But most gun collectors have spent years gathering their collection, and most don’t remember how they started their collecting habit. So, where does that leave new collectors?

Check out these 7 tips on antique gun values for new collectors, and you can grow your own gun collection in no time.

1. Identifying Antique Guns

Before worrying about the value of a gun you might be interested in, or one you have in your possession, it’s important to be able to identify an antique gun properly.

Yes, there are criteria that must be met. According to the National Firearms Act (NFA), an antique gun is a gun that was not designed to use current ammunition. A generally accepted rule of thumb is any gun made before 1898 is considered an antique and a collector’s item.

Since they are not meant to be a weapon.

2. Learn About the Gun

If you think you’ve identified an antique gun you’d like to purchase or if you think one in your collection is an antique, learn everything you can about that gun. This means you better have a notepad ready to jot down all the things you find out about it as this will help you estimate the value of the gun.

Keep in mind, however, that this does not necessarily mean tracing the lineage of the weapon. However, this may be necessary.

By learning about the gun, you should be examining every inch of it. You should be looking for any etchings, writings, or carvings on the weapon. Take note of the material used to make the weapon as well as any damage to the weapon.

If serial numbers are present, even partially, write them down as well as the name of who made the gun. All this information will help to ensure you receive an accurate appraisal of the value of the gun.

3. Know Condition Standards

As with any form of collecting, antique gun values are heavily tied to the condition of the gun. Being familiar with the condition standards of antique firearms will make it easier to begin determining the value of an antique gun.

The condition standards used for antique guns are excellent, fine, very good, good, fair, and poor.

Excellent refers to a weapon that has all its original parts, with 80% of its original finish. An antique gun classified as poor needs extensive restoration and major replacement parts.

Obviously, excellent condition antique guns are more valuable than poor condition guns. However, even if your gun is in poor condition, it’s still worth getting it appraised as something that is better than nothing.

4. Find an Appraiser

It’s been mentioned twice now, so it should come as no surprise; when it comes to finding the value of an antique gun, hire an appraiser. An appraiser will be able to identify the gun as well as provide a market value for the item.

This is where all the research and information gathering is going to pay off. You should give everything you’ve learned about the gun to the appraiser, along with your understanding of its condition to the appraiser.

This will help the appraiser to identify the gun properly as well as determine the value. An appraiser can also determine if an antique gun is genuine or if it’s a replica.

Antique Gun Collecting

Becoming a gun collector can seem like an intimidating venture to undertake. But worry not, it’s not intimidating at all. If you’re a novice collector, you can either start with a specialization since there are a variety of guns.

Alternatively, you can have an eclectic approach and just collect whatever comes your way. There’s no exact rule to collecting anything, so there’s no reason to hesitate.

Like any type of collecting, you should get to know as much about the hobby as possible including the condition standards, as well as learning about your gun. This will help you choose and hire an appraiser to identify your gun and assign a value.

The collecting of guns is an expensive hobby that can be dangerous. To protect your collection from theft and damage, you must take the necessary steps to protect them. Read more to find out how to keep your gun collection safe from thieves and unwanted people.