Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin Talk Marlin 38/55.....What's this one worth?

Have a pard that got this from his father. I checked the serial number on the mfg date website and it says 1903. Picture of Year/model number on barrel is too blurry to decipher.
Any thoughts/help are appreciated. I've looked on GunBroker and they're all over the board - just looking for a pragmatic guesstimate. I know NADA about these.







[img]http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/pp83/skane_image/38-55008.jpg[/img]

Scott,

Very nice ole' Marlin. how is the bore??

Doc

Doc,
Haven't laid eyes on it yet. I hope to see it this coming weekend. Let's say it's in fair shape, any idea what it's worth?

Scott,
You may want to go over to "Marlin Owners" site. I am sure someone there can help.

www.marlinowners.com

Doc

It appears the rear sight is a replacement, but if all else is original, stock isn't split or chipped, bore is good, and everything is 100% functional you can expect between $700 and $1,000 on this I'd say. Lower end if you want to sell quicker, higher end may mean it sits for a fair piece. Just bought one nearly identical to this for $1,050, but cleaner receiver & all origninal parts, plus a Marbles tang sight. I looked at a lot of them over past 6 months before moving on this one, and based on what I've seen I figured that was a fair, but not great price. Hope that helps a bit......

As always, your mileage may vary!

Forgot about this post...
Thanks for the guidance gents.

In fact, it's so nice and desirable, I don't think you should go by "blue book" value figures for pricing. I think the only way to accurately price it is to have it appraised by a professional firearms apraiser. The recent demise of the Winchester lever action line, along with a huge increase in collector interest in antique Winchesters has made prices jump considerably. I wouldn't trust a "blue book" to reflect the current value, being as it only is intended to give a general idea of value in the first place. Many factors, not the least of which is condition, can effect the value of a desirable antique such as this, and only an appraiser can accurately adjust for all the variables. Let's put it this way. You need to list it on your homeowner's insurance. I'm including a link to a firearms auction house that has links to certified apraisers on it's site. One thing I can say for certain though is, the value of this gun will increase SUBSTANTIALLY in the next 10 to 20 years. I'd try to hang on to it for now. You'll be glad you did!