Gun Appraisals or What’s My Gun Worth?

With most folks locked down and everyone’s activities curtailed in some form or other for over a year now, a lot of people have been cleaning up. Garages, storage unit’s, closets, barns, even entire homes are being cleaned up.

In the process, many are finding firearms and wondering if they work, if they’re safe and/or how much they’re worth. An expert gunsmith can answer all those questions, but they answer is not as quick and easy.  Guns are often “set aside” or stored for a reason, which is often forgotten over time. Didn’t eject properly, couldn’t be sighted in, wasn’t shooting right, all are reasons guns are left to sit in the corner of the garage.

Safety and usability often mean a complete tear down and cleaning. Most of the guns that come to us are dirty and even rusty. Occasionally, we see a well stored and cared for gun, but not often. The Gunsmith inspects, cleans and fires the firearm to ensure it’s safe before returning it to the customer.

Appraisals are another matter. Let me be clear, accurate appraisals will not be done over the phone, nor by photograph, the firearm must be in the Gunsmith’s hands. Marks and stamps can be hidden in the oddest places on guns. Like everything else, condition is everything. How it looks on the surface can be misleading. With antique or older guns, original parts make a huge difference in the value. It takes a very practiced eye and a lot of knowledge to spot some replacements.

We do appraisals here at Indian Valley Gunsmithing, but we need to have the firearm in hand. It takes at least a few days to research all the factors. No, it is not free, but it is a great way to find out what you have.