musket worth???

[John of the Skulkers Mess]

Hope this query is OK for here:

I have an original CW-era musket that I am wanting to sell. I know little, past what the previous owner knew. It is, roughly, M1795/1816, converted U.S. smoothbore. All there and in good shape, except missing rammer.

How do I go about /researchingfiguring its worth to get a fair price? I am wary of sending it off to get appraised (live in Missouri) so maybe someone has a reference work on muskets handy...?

Thanks,
John Pillers
skulkerjohn@yahoo.com
jpsuv61@yahoo.com

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: musket worth???

Hallo Kamerad!

"Value" is a tedious discussion filled with variables such as maker, "NRA" condition and condition of wood and metal, region of the country, Gettysburg or Antietam or not shops, and "gun show" versus Civil War show" pricing.

In general, IMHO, a decent basic framework reference is Norm Flayderman's "Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Firearms and Their Values."

Although, for this area of the country, he is often a bit "low."

I have purchased and sold some 7 or 8, from lows of $285 to highs of $1800.

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt

[Fireyfishstick]

Re: musket worth???

THis is based on personal observation, and the opinions of friends with extensive relic selling experience.
If the stock is in one piece, meaning it hasn't been cut down, then restored and the metal isn't pitted, then you are talking between 800 to 900 dollars. Unfortunately it goes down from there depending on the condition.

Jason Asher

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: musket worth???

Hallo Kamerad!


Although, for this area of the country, he is often a bit "low."

Curt

Could you please give us a ballpark estimate on what different regions would give on any given musket? Based on a hypothetical musket at say $100 at a GBurg shop, how would that rate at different parts of the country? Sorry if I am asking the impossible, but guesses will work just fine.

[Jimmayo]

Re: musket worth???

You can go on line to some of the CW dealers who sell firearms and compare their asking price to get some sort of ball park figure. Keep in mind the prices on line may be a little more than most shows.

http://www.garyhendershott.com/HomePage.cfm

http://www.andersonmilitaria.com/

http://www.horsesoldier.com/

It would help if you posted the markings on the lock and any other markings. Also if the stock has major cracks or splits. Condition of metal would also affect price.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: musket worth???

Hallo Herr Robert!

Sorry, I can't... as I do not travel or attend that much to know what the national area or regional "markets" sell and will bear."

Herr Jim's idea of looking at Net sites may be the most practical, although some are higher than others- and I have never looked to equate their business differences with any possible regional tie-ins.

In general though, I would say that the closer one gets to actual CW sites and history, in the East, the more the market seems it can bear higher prices.
Sort of a "Horse Soldier" in Gettysburg type of thing.

IF I had to "wing it" with a guestimate, I would say an M1822 conversion, in good condition, brings $700-900, at ordinary gun shows, and $900-1000 at CW shows. Of course, "condition" affects prices.

In general though, I would say, hypothetically, that a "Horse Soldier" type operation is adding anywhere between 50-100% over the price the same "gun" would sell for in my area. And, in my experience, a small local gun show at a local national guard armory 25-50% less than a designated state-wide CW show, or a "state collectors'" show.

Not to mention, that year after year, the supply goes down the demand goes up- so prices keep climbing. (As little kid, I remember seeing Springfields in the newspapers for sale at $25, $35, and $45. Or as a teen, older pards complaining about having to pay $250 or $300 for a musket or carbine And as a young twenty-something, passing on guns that had gone to $500. :-) )

And yes, I have seen some dealers raise and lower the "sticker price" on the same gun offered at different shows.

Beyond that, I cannot say.

Others' mileage may vary...

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt
Former Collector Mess
Curt-Heinrich Schmidt

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: musket worth???

Curt and Jim

Thanks for taking a crack at my impossible question.