Someone who knows nothing about guns - is this sufficient information? - The Firearms Forum

torid · 05-21-2009, 10:12 PM

Hi -Let me first preface this by saying I know incredibly little about guns - I was just hoping to get some advice from people "in the know." So apologies if I use incorrect or vague terms, I am very ignorant on this subject.

My family is in the process of helping my grandmother move out of her house; in the cleaning process we are working to identify the dozen or so guns my grandfather used to own. He has a log that has the serial number and varying additional information about each gun. Essentially, I am wondering if the information he has provided is sufficient to identify each gun to the point of being able to accurately price it.

Here is a sample entry, most have similar information:

Remington Sportsman #58, 20 gauge, 26 IC (not sure what IC is?), serial number #87453X.

Is that enough to figure out the year and potential value of the firearm? There aren't years listed for any of the guns, is that an important component to definitively identifying each gun? Also, I don't have pictures of these guns right now - my mom took some, but didn't match them with the log entries so right now I have no idea what corresponds with what.

Basically, the root of my question is, what additional information, if any, would we need for each gun to know its value?

This is very long, I apologize. None of us know anything about guns, so we have no idea where to turn! If you need any clarifications, I'll try and help as much as I can.

armedandsafe · 05-22-2009, 12:30 AM

The make and serial number will tell you which entry belongs to which gun, in most cases. (I say most cases, because Murphy is over there in the corner snickering at me.)

The serial number will almost always allow you to research the year of manufacture. The model of the gun is not always stamped on the gun but is quite often.

Condition of the gun is important, so sharp, clear pictures are necessary, if you are going to try to sell them other than face to face.

IC means "Improved Cylinder" a description used on shotguns to indicate its "chole value." The "26" in front of it almost certainly is the barrel length.

To help identify them here, the pictures don't have to be of professional quality, but should be as good as you can make them.

I'm sure there are others who will sign here with other suggestions and help.

Welcome to the forum, Torid.

Pops

torid · 05-22-2009, 04:00 PM

Thanks so much for your reply, that was very helpful. It seems to me probably the best course of action would be to wait until we go back to my grandmother's house (she is in Kentucky, we live in Washington state) and then we will work on matching guns with serial numbers and take pictures of them. So I will probably be back here in about a month

One additional question, what is the best way to look up a serial number?

Alpo · 05-22-2009, 06:26 PM

It depends on the gun. There are books, websites, and sometimes there just ain't no way to tell. Records weren't kept.

Suwannee Tim · 05-22-2009, 06:31 PM

You need the "Blue Book of Gun Values", Google it. The best way to sell guns is online, brandx or Auction Arms. There are legal issues to selling a gun that are explained on their web sites.

torid · 05-22-2009, 08:07 PM

Ok, thank you all so much for your help, I really appreciate it.

05-21-2009, 10:12 PM	#1
torid Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3	Someone who knows nothing about guns - is this sufficient information? Hi -Let me first preface this by saying I know incredibly little about guns - I was just hoping to get some advice from people "in the know." So apologies if I use incorrect or vague terms, I am very ignorant on this subject. My family is in the process of helping my grandmother move out of her house; in the cleaning process we are working to identify the dozen or so guns my grandfather used to own. He has a log that has the serial number and varying additional information about each gun. Essentially, I am wondering if the information he has provided is sufficient to identify each gun to the point of being able to accurately price it. Here is a sample entry, most have similar information: Remington Sportsman #58, 20 gauge, 26 IC (not sure what IC is?), serial number #87453X. Is that enough to figure out the year and potential value of the firearm? There aren't years listed for any of the guns, is that an important component to definitively identifying each gun? Also, I don't have pictures of these guns right now - my mom took some, but didn't match them with the log entries so right now I have no idea what corresponds with what. Basically, the root of my question is, what additional information, if any, would we need for each gun to know its value? This is very long, I apologize. None of us know anything about guns, so we have no idea where to turn! If you need any clarifications, I'll try and help as much as I can. -->

05-22-2009, 12:30 AM	#2
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	Re: Someone who knows nothing about guns - is this sufficient information? The make and serial number will tell you which entry belongs to which gun, in most cases. (I say most cases, because Murphy is over there in the corner snickering at me.) The serial number will almost always allow you to research the year of manufacture. The model of the gun is not always stamped on the gun but is quite often. Condition of the gun is important, so sharp, clear pictures are necessary, if you are going to try to sell them other than face to face. IC means "Improved Cylinder" a description used on shotguns to indicate its "chole value." The "26" in front of it almost certainly is the barrel length. To help identify them here, the pictures don't have to be of professional quality, but should be as good as you can make them. I'm sure there are others who will sign here with other suggestions and help. Welcome to the forum, Torid. Pops

05-22-2009, 04:00 PM	#3
torid Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3	Re: Someone who knows nothing about guns - is this sufficient information? Thanks so much for your reply, that was very helpful. It seems to me probably the best course of action would be to wait until we go back to my grandmother's house (she is in Kentucky, we live in Washington state) and then we will work on matching guns with serial numbers and take pictures of them. So I will probably be back here in about a month One additional question, what is the best way to look up a serial number?

05-22-2009, 06:26 PM	#4
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,772	Re: Someone who knows nothing about guns - is this sufficient information? It depends on the gun. There are books, websites, and sometimes there just ain't no way to tell. Records weren't kept. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.

05-22-2009, 08:07 PM	#6
torid Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 3	Re: Someone who knows nothing about guns - is this sufficient information? Ok, thank you all so much for your help, I really appreciate it.

05-22-2009, 06:31 PM	#5
Suwannee Tim Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,227	Re: Someone who knows nothing about guns - is this sufficient information? You need the "Blue Book of Gun Values", Google it. The best way to sell guns is online, brandx or Auction Arms. There are legal issues to selling a gun that are explained on their web sites.