Great Investment or Waste of Money? A Guide to the Most Collectible Guns

Did you or somebody else you know inherit some antique guns from someone? If you did, you have one beautiful vintage gun at your hands. Having collectibles like this is great for people who love history.

Guns and America were almost born at the same time, and the country’s historical links with it ever since. Gun collectors take pride in the value of old guns. They’re remnants of national history that has gone by.

Are you looking into investing in the most collectible guns? This is the guide that you need. Learn the value of old guns and how antique gun experts appraise them.

Are you ready to learn about guns? Here’s a primer you’d enjoy.

What to Look for in Vintage Guns

When talking about vintage guns, we need to set some things you need to check first. If you’re uncertain what your gun is worth, there are a few simple steps.

If you’re looking for the value of old guns, you need to know the four basic elements of a collectible. These are:

  • Type of gun
  • Type of action of the weapon
  • The caliber of the firearm
  • The measurements of the gun
  • The markings of the firearm

Also, you want to know the condition of your firearm. If you understand firearm condition, you can make sure your antique gun values all the time. Provenance means much as well, more so for guns that historical figures owned in their lifetimes.

If you want to know the blue-chip guns that are worth your time, here’s some of them.

1. The Luger

The Luger is one of the most iconic handguns of World War II, and antique gun experts love them. Since many of them have become trophies of the European Front and D-Day, the Luger is something you want to keep in the family.

Authentic German Lugers can fetch around $2,000 and up, depending on the condition. Gun collectors love the robust engineer, and the value of old guns like this will keep going up.

2. Sharps 1863 Carbine

The 1863 Sharps Carbine is one of the backbones of the Old West, and antique gun values for this type of firearm skyrocket like mad. This is a rifle with much history in it, so people would love to have it.

If you’re investing, you will need to learn about the caliber of the one you get. Sharps Carbines had a variety of ammo types by 1874, but the most collectible is the ones with 50-70 Gov caliber.

This rifle with a falling block action can fetch between four grand to around 8-9 grand, depending on the condition.

3. M1-Paratrooper

Another vintage gun that collectors rave about is the M-1 Paratrooper. This gun is part of the default loadout for World War II paratroopers, and people want one for its iconic design.

The average collector will have a few of these antique firearms, but if you want more bang for your buck, here’s a tip. The M-1 Paratrooper with folding stocks is worth a good wad of cash.

Depending on the condition, the M-1 Paratrooper is worth around $1,500, with extra value if it has excellent provenance.

4. Arisaka Type 38 and Type 99

When it comes to antique gun experts, they’re not all about the European Front when it comes to guns. Another rifle that they love is the Arisaka Rifle. This firearm was the primary weapon for the Japanese in the Pacific Front.

There were many Arisaka rifles in production during the War, with the Type 38 and Type 99 being the most common. The soldiers took them home as souvenirs, together with the Nambu handgun. The secret here, however, is the condition.

Many Arisaka rifles are well-worn and beat so guns with 100% condition will have solid pricing. Gun collectors value a Type 38 at around $800 to $1,200, with the lowest value between $300 – $500 each.

5. M-1 Garand

The M1-Garand is one of the greatest piece of military hardware in US history, hands down. Until the Korean War, it’s the US military’s workhorse, and anybody who knows antique gun values would love one of these.

Many of the M1-Garands floating in the market are at least $2,000, depending on the condition. At better conditions, you’re getting a bit more money for the unit.

It’s not hard to move as well. If you’re in it for the money, the M1-Garand is a sure hit with antique gun experts.

6. The Parker Shotgun

The Parker shotgun is one vintage gun that collectors will salivate for sure. This is one of the oldest guns produced, running from the mid-1800s to around World War II period.

Each Parker rifle has ultra-high antique gun values, with original condition versions fetching much from the market. Anything that didn’t undergo refurbishing values at a few thousand. New condition versions are running at least $10,000 to $12,000 on the open market.

7. Winchester 1873

The Winchester rifle is the gun that won the West, so it’s not a surprise that antique gun experts want their hands on these. If you have an 1873 lever action, check the condition. It’s going to fetch you serious money.

Depending on the serial number, date of production and condition, you can get $1,000 – $1,500 at the lowest. At its best condition, you’re sure to get antique gun values of around $2,000 to the north of $3,000. If you have a “One Of One Thousand” model, you hit the jackpot.

Finding the Most Collectible Guns

If you’re looking to invest in a gun collection, you want to make sure that you get the best value for your money. Find the most collectible guns and keep them. Get more money and hit the jackpot.

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Melissa Thompson writes about a wide range of topics, revealing interesting things we didn’t know before. She is a freelance USA Today producer, and a Technorati contributor.