skybytch 273 #1 November 13, 2008 Many years ago, my grandmother gave me her S&W Model 51 22/32 kit gun. It was given new to her by her brother at some point in the 1960's. It's had maybe three boxes of ammo go through it in it's lifetime; I'd call it 90%+ on the original blue finish. The grips show no wear. After a bit of cursory research online, I've discovered that this gun could be worth way more than I thought it was; apparently the Model 51 is somewhat rare. It won't be for sale but I am very curious as to how much it is actually worth in today's market. I'd also like to keep it in the condition it is currently in (if it's worth some money, I won't be dry firing it ever again!). So my questions for you - who/where is a good person to ask/place to go to get a relatively accurate valuation? And other than keeping it wrapped in a cloth in it's original box and not shooting it, what else should I be doing to keep it purty? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
namgrunt 0 #2 November 13, 2008 $225 to 800 go to www.gunbroker.com enter the model # 51 and there you are as in anything its only worth what someone is willing to pay59 YEARS,OVERWEIGHT,BALDIND,X-GRUNT LAST MIL. JUMP VIET-NAM(QUAN-TRI) www.dzmemories.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFXpert 0 #3 November 13, 2008 Quoteas in anything its only worth [monetarily] what someone is willing to pay I'm always surprised how many people do not seem to understand this basic reality.Paint me in a corner, but my color comes back. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #4 November 13, 2008 Quote as in anything its only worth what someone is willing to pay True, but if it's worth more than a hundred bucks or so, I plan to make certain that it is insured. "Whatever someone is willing to pay" probably won't fly with an insurance company if it were ever stolen or destroyed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
millertime24 8 #5 November 13, 2008 QuoteAnd other than keeping it wrapped in a cloth in it's original box and not shooting it, what else should I be doing to keep it purty? Well if you really want to keep it in the condition its in right now you could always cover it (inside and out not missing any parts) with cosmoline, put it in an air tight plastic bag, then put it away for a good long while. >>Disclaimer<< Cosmoline is by far one of the BIGGEST pain in the ass things to remove from a firearm after applied.Muff #5048 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #6 November 13, 2008 My homeowners insurance has a limit in it for firearms of $2000 or $5000. It may very well be insured already at sufficient level --- unless you have a several more. I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #7 November 13, 2008 Quote My homeowners insurance has a limit in it for firearms of $2000 or $5000. It may very well be insured already at sufficient level --- unless you have a several more. That's just it, I have no homeowners/renters insurance. If it's worth anything at all, it's moving to my parent's house where I can be sure it's covered. I'm not saying nuthin' 'bout any other guns I may or may not have. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #8 November 13, 2008 Your library may have gun value reference books. A gun shop could value it, but would probably charge you for it. Smith & Wesson can do a "weapon history trace" for the gun, for a price: http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CustomContentDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&content=25301§ionId=10504 The reference books I have say it's worth between $425 and $525. But my books are a few years old, and prices only go up, so it's probably worth a bit more than that now. Keep it clean and oiled, and check it once in a while to make sure it isn't rusting. There are special gun storage bags you can buy to preserve guns not needed for quick self defense, like these: http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/23614-1.html Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pokerstar 0 #9 November 13, 2008 QuoteMany years ago, my grandmother gave me her S&W Model 51 22/32 kit gun. It was given new to her by her brother at some point in the 1960's. It's had maybe three boxes of ammo go through it in it's lifetime; I'd call it 90%+ on the original blue finish. The grips show no wear. After a bit of cursory research online, I've discovered that this gun could be worth way more than I thought it was; apparently the Model 51 is somewhat rare. It won't be for sale but I am very curious as to how much it is actually worth in today's market. I'd also like to keep it in the condition it is currently in (if it's worth some money, I won't be dry firing it ever again!). So my questions for you - who/where is a good person to ask/place to go to get a relatively accurate valuation? And other than keeping it wrapped in a cloth in it's original box and not shooting it, what else should I be doing to keep it purty? PLEASE ! ! !You should NEVER dry-fire a.22, as it is a rim fire cartridge, and the firing pin will peen the edge of the cylinder (or chamber in the case of an automatic) and cause damage. It is perfectly ok to dry fire a center fire pistol or rifle, but not with rim fires. When storing the pistol, make sure to keep it dry, and wrapped in a silicon cloth, and make sure to apply a very light coating of gun oil to it, and to wipe your fingerprints off of it, as most people have slightly acidic skin and it can ultimately leave small rust marks.Fortunately, I'm adhering to a pretty strict, uh, drug, uh, regimen to keep my mind, you know, uh, limber. --- The Dude --- Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #10 November 14, 2008 If you are renting, you should seriously consider renter's insurance. It's usually between $10-$20/month and will come in really handy in the case of fire/flood/etc. My condo insurance through Wawanesa isn't much more than that, and it even covers my rig! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DrewEckhardt 0 #11 November 14, 2008 QuoteIf you are renting, you should seriously consider renter's insurance. It's usually between $10-$20/month and will come in really handy in the case of fire/flood/etc. My condo insurance through Wawanesa isn't much more than that, and it even covers my rig! When some schmuck stole my camera helmet at Quincy, my renter's insurance covered it. The insurance pay-out was about 10 years worth of premiums. Two things to watch for are: 1) Coverage off-premesis. I've had insurance policies that limited coverage outside my dwelling to some fraction (10 or 20%?) of the policy value. I might have spent $20 a year to get a policy with enough value (like $50K in contents to cover a $5K theft at a boogie). 2) Replacement value coverage. The default is often the depreciated value which may be calculated according to some formula. It was a few dollars more to add a replacement value option so I can actually replace whatever gets stolen next (hopefully not for a few more decades). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnDeere 0 #12 November 14, 2008 QuoteIf you are renting, you should seriously consider renter's insurance. It's usually between $10-$20/month and will come in really handy in the case of fire/flood/etc. My condo insurance through Wawanesa isn't much more than that, and it even covers my rig! +1Nothing opens like a Deere! You ignorant fool! Checks are for workers! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LongWayToFall 0 #13 November 14, 2008 This thread got me thinking, I have an old 30-30 Winchester lever action, and looked all over gun broker and could only find one model that looked exactly the same, however it was in a different caliber. The one I have, has the peep sight exactly like this one: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=115876298 Is the value similar? Edit: Its a model 55 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LongWayToFall 0 #14 November 15, 2008 After some more research I found this cool website if anybody has an old winchester..... http://www.winchestercollector.org/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
