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Step 3: Determine the Condition of Your FirearmCondition of Firearms
You will find many ways of
describing the condition of firearms -- some using percentages and
some just descriptive words. All methods are somewhat
subjective. For your purpose, read the descriptions of the
categories carefully and then select the one that best fits the gun
that you are appraising. Since we are dealing only with old guns,
we will use the following categories: NIB (New in the Box), Excellent, Very
Good, Good, Fair, and Poor.
New In Box (NIB): The gun is
in the original sale box. All original parts, including sights and
minor parts are factory original. The finish of both metal and wood
is original and at 100%. The lettering is sharp and clear and
any design on the metal and wood is sharp and clear. There
should also be documentation available on the gun, sometimes with
price tags, and number on box should match the serial number on the gun.
Excellent: The gun has all
original parts, including sights and any additional factory add-on
parts. The finish of both metal and wood is original and at
90% or better. The lettering is sharp and clear and any design
on the metal and wood is sharp and clear. There may be minor
marks in the wood, but they are few and the finish is original and excellent.
The metal may show some slight wear at the muzzle or sharp edges.
The bore is very good with rifling prominent.
Very Good: A "very good" gun is in
perfect working condition with no appreciable wear on working
surfaces, no corrosion or pitting and only very minor scratches.
The gun has all original parts with at least 80% of the original
finish. Original metal surfaces are smooth. Lettering
and designs are clear. Wood may be slightly scratched or
bruised. There may be some very minor repairs or alterations.
Good: Some minor replacement
parts are acceptable, but all parts must be working. The metal
may be smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, and the
gun may be cleaned and partially re-blued, although at least 50% of
the original factory finish must be evident. Lettering and
design is legible, and the wood may be refinished in places, scratched,
bruised, or minor cracks repaired. Gun is in good and safe
working order. The bore may have some wear and pitting.
Fair: Some major parts may be
replaced. There may be some minor parts missing. Some
rust on the metal and/or lightly pitted. The gun may have been
vigorously cleaned or re-blued. Edges of the metal may be
rounded and worn, and principal lettering and design may be partly
obliterated. Wood is scratched, bruised, cracked or repaired.
In safe working order or easily repaired so that the gun is restored
to working order. If your gun has major repairs, alterations
or non-factory additions or a recent refinishing, it is graded in
this class.
Poor: Major and minor parts
replaced and there may be major parts required and extensive
restoration necessary. Metal may be deeply pitted and the
principal lettering and design has areas obliterated. Wood may be
badly scratched, bruised, cracked or broken. The gun may be
mechanically inoperative. A poor gun is generally not desired
by collectors, although there may be some value in the parts.
A poor gun may make a very nice "wall hanger."
Final STEP
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