General Value Question for 1893's

Nardo · Post by **Nardo** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 7:28 pm

I have seen a lot of 1893's for sale at gun shows and on the internet that seem to be priced well above what the gun value books indicate. Typical prices for a standard rifle with little or no case hardening, good wood, average bore (somewhat dark, but strong rifling), seem to be from $900 to $1200 to ...

This seems to also be what folks are asking for similar condition Winchester 94s. While I think Marlins are the better choice, the market values seem to favor the Wins.

My book (Standard Catalog of Firearms 2007) indicates a good pre 1899 should go for $650 and a VG $1000. A post 1898 should go for $550 good and $850 VG. I understand these values are based on actual sales across the country.

As a comparison, a Win 94 in good condition should go for $1500.

Are these prices I'm seeing out of line? Am I maybe underrating the condition? I'm having trouble reconciling this since the Winchesters I'd rate as good are asking $1000 - $1500, while the Marlins in similar condition are asking $900 to $1200. Seem to me the Winchesters are slightly underpriced and the Marlins overpriced.

Any thoughts on this? What range should one expect to pay for a good condition Marlin 1893? How would you experts differentiate between a good rifle and a very good rifle?

Thanks, Mike

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 11:10 pm

I'm not an expert but one thing I learned is the books are pretty useless except as a very general guide to prices.

It really all depends on what someone will spend I think.

Winchesters seem to get a few dollars more for whatever reason, but I'm fine with that.

winmarsav · Post by **winmarsav** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 1:42 am

I think Ken is right as to whatever the market will carry. But as you know there is a difference between asking and selling price a lot of the time. As far as good and very good goes it is condition, condition and condition. But then rarity and how bad the individual wants it can make the price go up also.

Sure-Shot · Post by **Sure-Shot** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 9:59 am

I think the rule of thumb at gunshows is to ask more than they are worth so people can haggle. I know that seems to be the case aroung Western Washington. Half the fun is getting them down to a reasonable price. Exception to the rule is the person who carries in his own rifle to sell. They are more inclined to ask what they want for it. JMHO

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 3:26 pm

The Bluebook, and also Flayderman's Guide take all of a year to get to print. Prices can change a lot during this time. Also, both books seem to keep their pricing pretty conservative.
Sellers don't use the Bluebook much when selling, but they always reference it when they want to buy your gun!

Nardo · Post by **Nardo** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:40 pm

Thanks for the thoughts.

I always offer less than asking, but if their asking is more than 10% more than what I'm willing to pay I typically don't offer. In other words I offer 10% under asking if I'm willing to pay that price and I walk away from the rest without making an offer.

Do any of you have much luck offering lower than that? The few times I have they look like I insulted their mother. Maybe that's all part of the game, I've never claimed to be very good at it.

Mike

Sure-Shot · Post by **Sure-Shot** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 7:57 pm

I know the look you mean and I have gone below what I am willing to pay just to get things started sometimes 25-30 percent below what they have asked so I can judge their reaction. Even more so when I have a trade, ie this plus $$. Especially if I am there on the last day of the show.

Yellowhouse · Post by **Yellowhouse** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:35 pm

Marlinman has it right. VG is a highly subjective term. Now I'm perfectly content that Marlins have less of a following than Winnies. But back to pricing, if a Marlin has even a smidgeon of that gorgeous case coloring and blue (not brown) watch the price go out of sight. For full case and blue it's out of sight and for good reason...rare as hen's teeth compared to the zillions of Win 1894's. The only way Win can even come close to one of these is usually a special order gun.

The most I've paid was $1400 for a HPS that has 50% faded out case and 90% faded blue with perfect wood. Maybe a bit much according to some but it is one helluva shooter and don't expect it to depreciate much if at all.

Nardo · Post by **Nardo** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:26 pm

Since I'm more interested in collecting and shooting than in reselling, getting the exact right price isn't as important as if I was trying to make money at this game. Still, it would be nice to not pay over the market value in case I try and upgrade later.

So would you consider a rifle with no case color, but blueing on the barrel as a candidate for good or very good, assuming all other factors support that classification? How about a nice rifle with one significant flaw, like drilled for a scope/receiver sight, replacement wood, refinished wood?

Yellowhouse · Post by **Yellowhouse** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:47 am

Many of the 1893/93 rifles were drilled for the old receiver sight at the factory. To me, modern replacement wood or slopped on varnish is a pretty significant flaw. Most of the demand for 93 Marlins right now comes from the Cowboy action crowd seeking rifles for side matches and from people just wanting to hunt with these old guns and this is driving the price up somewhat. The kicker is that in this arena, bore condition overides other flaws. That said, you can find an honest wear (not fooled with but silvered out) 93 at the Tulsa gunshow for $7-1k if you look hard enough. I bought a price nice 1893 in 38/55 with a very good bore for $650 off Gunbroker because it didn't have the factory buttlplate.

If you'll look through some of the back issues of Bluebook, you may find the guidance you're looking for. At the front of the book, they have series of color pics with rifles in varying condition. I remember that in at least one of these, they had 1893's.