old guns value

[43Rob]

Can anyone here give me approximate values for;

1. An A.M. Arms Muzzle Loading Rifle, looks and is reported to be from the civil war, says Boston Pat. Mar 21 1882. Lots of rust and I couldnt see the bore for the cobwebs.

2. a H. M. Quackenbush .22 It says Herkimer NY on it and appears to be of stamped steel.

3. An 1897 winchester 12 gauge pump. It is in good to very good condition and all original.

4. A Ruger Bearcat .22 revolver. Purchased in the late '50 to early '60s

Thank you in advance for any information you may have.

[James K]

1. Well, nothing patented in 1882 was used in the Civil War, and I doubt many muzzle loaders were made at that date (the reproduction fad would not come around for another 80 years). A further check and more information would help.

2. Henry Marcus Quackenbush made inexpensive air guns and .22 rifles that were were often given away as prizes to youngsters for selling salve, delivering papers, etc. There is a mild collector interest (mainly nostalgia driven) but they seldom bring more than $100 and then only in near perfect condition. The company later made other things, perhaps being best known for its "HMQ" line of nutcrackers.

The company is still very much in business in Frankfort, NY, and you can learn its history at: http://www.hmq.com/newfiles/history.html.

3. A standard Model 1897 Winchester can bring over $800 in perfect condition, but they are fairly common and the price goes down hill rapidly with less than perfect specimens. For example, one in 50% brings only $250 or so, and that is if everything is working, which is not the case with many of them.

4. The Ruger Bearcat, based on the dates, would be the original model. New in the Box, they bring $350 plus, but in average condition only about $200-225.

Note that the above guesstimates are retail prices, in other words, what a customer would pay at a gun store, not what the store would buy them for.

HTH

Jim

[43Rob]

Thanks for the info. It was very helpful. 43Rob