This is from a gun collection, part of an estate with which I am helping a friend. Basically, I am trying to establish a fair market value / asking price for each item. That whole story is in another thread, if you are interested:
www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=5&t=216974&w=myTopicPopI don't know much about fine shotguns, but there is plenty of information on this particular model in the Blue Book, etc. This shotgun is decribed by the owner's family as:
L. C. Smith, 20 Gauge, Double Barrel Shotgun, Field Grade, Hunter Arms, (FW) 82167, Serial # Z9XXX
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My most current copy of the Blue Book lists this shotgun as "Standard Field Grade" manufactured by Hunter Arms Co. from 1890-1945. It places the value at $1,250 for 100%, $775 for 95%, $675 for 90%, etc. It also says "Add 45% for 20 ga." - which this one is. As you can see from the pictures below, the metal is in excellent condition except for some very light surface rust at the very end of the barrels and the only other noticeable wear is on the buttstock . I suspect that it would rate on the high end of the percentage scale despite the stock, but I am no good at assessing those percentages. I would appreciate any advice on how to evaluate/price this firearm fairly. I would prefer to avoid the hassle and expense of having these firearms professionally appraised, but I would like to be in the right ballpark when I establish the values.
Right now I am thinking $1,100 for this L.C. Smith shotgun - does that seem fair?