Hi all,

Thank you. I have just submitted my payment for membership and will follow all of your advice-- it is very helpful. In all honesty, based on teh research I started late this fall, I had figured the Parkers would be easiest as I would join this group. The problem will be the rest of the collection. Some are of value, others are not. My appraisal sheet is 30 years old so I do not think it is trustworthy. One place advised using an auction group like Rock Island to sell the rest of the collection. Any thoughts on that?

jake

Depends on the guns. Can you give us an idea of the other guns and I can tell you what they will do at Rock Island. Where are you located?? Thanks, Frank

Condition, originality, condition, options, and condition all play such a big roll in evaluating these guns we need several good pictures of each to even begin to make a guess as to market value. Do the DH-/DHE-grades have original skeleton butts or aftermarket recoil pads? Original butt plates on the others? Big difference in price. have any of the barrels been cut? Huge difference in price. Percents of original case colors? Percent of original finish on the barrels? Condition of the bores? Wood all original? Cracks? Mars? Scars? Combs cut down? Built up? Length-of-pulls? On and on....

OK. so, here is my situation. I am in Maryland. Is there a reputable appraiser someone knows of in area?

Gun collection is mostly shotguns but includes about 40 guns ranging from bb guns in poor condition to shotguns that were kept in very good condition. My father had been a gun salesmen for Abercrombie and Fitch in the day. Some of guns include Winchester 21 Trap 12 ga, Winchester 21 Skeet 12ga, LC Smith 10 guage, Charles Daly 12 Ga Damascus, Lebeau 12 guage double, Remington Deluxe Model 11 with 4 barrels, Marlin Model 90 .410, Ithaca NID #1 Grade Ejector 12 Ga, Fox Sterlingworth ejector 12 ga and 2 DU Guns of the year (one is Winchester model 23 "Chesapeake"). Then you have 2 blank pistols, a daisy bb gun, some rifles.

I am in Maryland and would be happy to help you. I can also possibly assist you in selling some of your guns for cash on short notice, not to me, but to prolific local collector/dealers. wilmrph@verizon.net

Most of the guns you just listed would most likely draw some interest if posted in the for sale section with good photos, good information and a reasonable price.

There is a large shop named Allbright's in Easton Maryland that could get you started. I say STARTED. I would use that as a springboard.

If there is provenance as you say of him being an Abercrombie salesman, that would interest the heck out of some collectors. See my article in the last parker Pages about an Abercrombie Parker.

The collection may well be a candidate for a top level auction house like Julias who would be willing to pick up the whole collection at your doorstep.

John, if your father was affiliated with A & F, I'd contact Bob Beach at Griffin & Howe to see what he knows about your father and the guns.

http://www.griffinhowe.com/research-main.cfm

thank you for the idea on Griffin and Howe. I had forgotten about them. I was in tehir shop when I was young. After A&F, my father had his own sporting art gallery and sold there. that is the other collection i will be working on selling (mostly prints).

Thank you for jining up!