Values

[FrankTrost]

I have been eyeing some early ones - Model 1865 and Model 1866. Where can one find values? I have Flaydermans 9th ed and have scoured the internet. I have found some 1868 and later on Gunbroker, but those seem a bit overpriced.

I actually feel comfortable in knowing what to look for (Thanks to DIck Hosmer initially). I also have others like Frasca/Hill and Poyer/Reisch books

I am having a hard time finding the 65 or 66 let alone value. I know value is what you are willing to pay, but I don't want to willingly pay more than at least average! Any help in this is appreciated. Or any line on any of those also appreciated. TIA

Edit- All of a sudden I can find a few 1866s.

[Fred Gaarde]

Don’t forget that the prices reflected in Flayderman’s 9th edition are way out of date by many many years.

[John S.]

Although Flayderman's numbers are old, they are still a good indicator of RELATIVE value.

However, the collector arms market fluctuates. Frankly, I see tons of good guns coming on the market these days, in much larger numbers than in the past. I also sense that prices for older arms are slowly declining from past levels and demand decreasing as older collector pass away with few youngsters taking their place. Collecting interest seems to be getting closer to modern arms than antiques. People fight over M1911A1 pistols and M1 Carbines at silly high prices, but don't even look at flintlocks or trapdoors. Civil War stuff has greatly reduced demand and values, especially items related to the demonized Confederacy.

The one constant seems to be that people like and will pay well for top condition pieces and junk, even rare junk is still junk with some appeal at bargain prices. Mediocre condition items seldom have high demand.

For common items, SOLD prices on GunBroker are a good indication of market value. Auctions are less so, because it is hard to tell what the items really are (crappy descriptions or photos) or two idiots get into a comparative anatomy contest and run the price way up. Most of us collectors are at an age where if we really want something, we just buy it and don't worry too much about getting a great deal. Some buyers are pure mercenaries and have their own ideas about what they can get for something, even if they are kind of dumb about what they are buying and the historical significance.

Others may see things differently, but that's my view, with more exposure to the market than some people, but admittedly less than many, so your perception may be different and just as valid as mine.

[FrankTrost]

Awesome thanks for the info.

[Dick Hosmer]

I may have held on too long....