My husband has a 1909 32.40 in mint condition and we would like to sell it, but are very unsure of it's exact value. Any information would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Margie Harris
princessmakoli@yahoo.com

Hello Margie,

Your 1899 would be one of about 7 standard models made that year. We need to determine which it is. Condition needs to be verified...do you have pictures you could e-mail or post?
I can say that an 1899 in .32-40 and in excellent condition will get a lot of notice.

We need details on the model. Length of barrel (round, octagon, 1/2 round), pistol grip or straight stock, solid frame or take-down, butt plate (cresent or shotgun), checkering?

Condition...has it been drill and tapped for a scope, recoil pad added, sling added, sights changed, refinished/reblued or cracked or split wood?

Rick....

Thanks for responding- and please bear with me because unfortunately, I don't know anything about guns, and my husband is completely computer illiterate! I do have some pictures, but I haven't been able to figure out how to include them in my message. I can definently email them to you though. As far as the condition, everything is original from the factory nothing has been added or refinished.

I'll take a look if you want to e-mail them to me, [email][email protected] [/email] . Make sure you put Savage in the subject line so I don't miss it.

Rick....

One of the advantages of selling a gun on an internet auction is that you don't really need to know what the value is to get a top price. If you advertise in the Gun List or gunsamerica - you have to set a price. I've known people who have advertised a gun for what turned out to be a way too low price. The first call comes from their Gun List ad, they sell it promptly and feel happy. This is short-lived as more calls in and when they got to about 50 or 100 calls about the same gun, they're not feeling so happy. This doesn't happen on an internet auction. If you have something desireable - the bidding can often get much higher than anyone would predict. Come to think of it, this often even happens with something that isn't all that desireable. A good, accurate description along with several clear photos will help bring in more bidders.

[color:"pink"] [/color] I have two pictures available for viewing, I've been trying to upload more, but I think yahoo is having some technical problems because I haven't been able to, yet.
Go to http://photos.yahoo.com/princessmakoli click on the album named 1909 Savage.
Can anyone recommend a good auction site that will list guns? The only site I'm familiar with is ebay and they will not list them. Thanks!

It appears to be a special order rifle. The first thing I would do would be to purchase a letter from the Savage Historian to determine if the rifle was all factory original. Depending on what you find out about the rifle, you might also want to consisder one of the better auction houses.



Mr. John T. Callahan, Savage Arms Historian

53 Old Quarry Road

Westfield, MA 01085

$20.00 per gun research fee.

Send serial number, allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.



Rick....

Oh my, just looked at the pictures! Everybody needs to take a look at these! You definitely need to send for that letter. If that gun letters with the rare features that I see on it - it is worth many thousands of dollars. You could list it on auctionarms or gunbroker and pay about 2% to 3% of the sale price. However, if you have a letter verifying the special features I see on it, it would add thousands to what bidders would likely be willing to pay. Right now, I'm really wishing I was your next door neighbor and you just asked me if I had any interest in the gun. Also, I have to ask, does your husband have other guns as well?

I have more pics in an aol photo album- this link should work- aol photo album
I am sending for the history of the gun in the next couple of days. We had some guy look at it a couple of years ago, a savage collector who had books and stuff- he offered up $5000 on the spot, but we weren't ready to sell yet- he also said he'd seen one go for about $16000. He bought it for almost nothing, from someone who obviously didn't know what he had, and took it to a local gun dealer to see if he could get some kind of idea of the value of the gun. The guy admired the gun alot and offered him $1200 on the spot "no questions asked". That was about 10 years ago, but the guy's reaction was what made Curt think this gun was potentially very valuable. That's why we're having such a tough time- we really don't know what to sell for. If we go the auction route- does anyone know if you can put in a reserve- like on ebay, so if the bids don't reach a certain price, you don't have to sell? We didn't start looking for more info until a few years ago, he wanted to hold onto it for a long time- we're only selling now to finance a big move and down payment towards a house. Yes, my husband (Curt Harris) does have other hunting rifles and a handgun, but none like this one- he's never even fired it. I really appreciate all the help!

Not only can you put in a reserve, you can set a starting bid and bid increments on www.AuctionArms.com Be very detailed in your discription and pay the premium to put up extra pictures.

Gentlemen;

Knowing how you would all like to see this on an internet auction site, let's be realistic here.

If this thing proves to be legit as the pictures indicate, this lady is sitting on some serious iron. Why should she sell for the down payment, when she could sell to pay for the house?

She need's to have this thing marketed professionally. It's appears "investment grade" from the limited pictures I've been able to access.

If original w/ provinence this could possibly be in the six figures to the right collector. I really don't think your going to pull that kinda coin during the summer months, unadvertised, off the net.

How many of you would spend big coin over the net sight unseen????

Be honest with the lady.

I agree with RAM. When I was trying to estimate the potential retail price of this gun (assuming the features can be authenticated as original), I know some of the high dollar rollers out there who sell stuff like this - could easily ask $30 to $50K or more. This type price is not likely reached on an internet auction. Really, the first step is to request the factory records letter from Callahan and then go from there.

I don't think it will go 6 figures...$30 maybe...I don't know. It only takes 2 bidders with the cash to run it up...or not. Tha butt stock has to letter or it is just a low end engraved rifle.

I think an auction house is the way to go, also.

Rick....

[color:"purple"] [/color] WOW <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" />- this is alot to take in, and I'd like to thank everyone one more time for sharing all your knowledge with us!

Now, let me make sure I got this straight....

Assuming everything is original from the factory ( I am not so patiently waiting for the letter from the historian), this gun can (potentially) go for anywhere between $30,000 and possibly up to 6 digits <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />?????!!!!

About 2 years ago I got online for the first time trying to research the value and a man contacted me via email interested in purchasing. It turned out he lived in no too far from us, and he was planning to be in a nearby town. So we met with him so he could have a look and give us an indication of the value, he had all his books and stuff. He said according to the books everything was original (or came as an option from the factory), confirmed the gun was not refinished or reblued- except he thought (only) the lever action possible had been reblued. Recently someone told me that they usually come case colored, but since we're (almost) 100% sure the whole gun has not been reblued, we're thinking it must have been ordered that way. All the numbers match, including the the wood and the butt plate. We told him we weren't in anyway interested in selling at the time, but he must have really wanted it because he offered $3500 almost immediately- telling us since the lever action wasn't original it wouldn't be worth top dollar. Curt declined, but before we left, he offered 5,000 because he really liked that model- again we declined, but I kept in contact with him via email for awhile- he kept asking if Curt was ready to sell yet. Anyone else think maybe he was hoping to score? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> [color:"purple"] [/color]

Anyway, we're just going to wait for the historian's report, I think that will decide how we're going to handle the sale. For anyone who is still interested in looking at pics, I got the rest loaded up in my Yahoo photo album (the aol one wasn't working well for some people), and they're a little bigger- about postcard size. http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/princessmakoli [color:"purple"] [/color] [color:"purple"] [/color]
Thanks again- Margie

Hi Margie,

When you finally receive Callahan's letter it would be great if you would share the results of his research with the forum. Whatever he comes up with there is no doubt that you have a wonderful 99.

Doug

Oh absolutely! You bet I'm going to share the results- I would never leave you guys hangin like that!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Anyone end up with this one? See it come up for sale anywhere? I guess we never heard the outcome? Wow - this thread takes me back. This is back in the day when RAM was a regular

I wish the picture link still worked... anyone squirrel them away at that time????

I'm trying to recall the special features. I know it has a swiss butt...

I just sent her an e-mail. It hasn't bounced back so maybe it is still a working address.

2003! I remember this one. Doesn't seem that long ago.

Time really flies! I recall corresponding with her back then. The e-mail to her didn't bounce back so maybe she'll let me know. Maybe it's available :0

What the heck is a swiss butt?

big thick points at the top and bottom... like a schutzen (sp??)???

Here's a Bullard repeater I have with the swiss style butt. And anticipating the question - no, I haven't shot a deer with it.

you thinking about doing this year steve?

He's probably waiting for a rainy day to take that one out.

It's funny as I find if you own a .32/40 Bullard, you have little sympathy for those who whine about how hard it is to find .303 or .22HP ammo, brass or bullets. Ammo, brass or bullets for the .32/40 Bullard is about impossible to find. And there's no good way to make .32/40 Bullard brass either.

Steve,My brothers 50-115 Bullard has brass made from 378 Weatherby cases with the belt turned off,not a easy one either ! Don

Don - keep reminding him that I am here to take that headache off his hands I would even trade him a '99 (pre-mil) in .308

I doubt its going anywhere soon ,altho hes talking of shooting it a bit !!

You got deer big enough up there to warrant a .50-115 Bullard

I think he was going to use it on coyotes!! or maybe bear, and we do have moose also

Don, somehow I feel I am being completely sincere and honest when I tell you that I need that rifle more than your brother does

hell i need it more then he does !! and i don't even want it !!!!! maybe you will see some more pictures of it in the next week, you never know !!!!!