Ive got 2 guns that were passed down to me that sit in my safe, one is an Enfield model 38 and the other is a US Postal M1 Carbine. Ive never sot the Enfield and it seems to be in good-great shape, the 30 carbine has been shot a few times and is in good shape. Any idea on approx. values?
Enfield model 38?? Does that mean it's a revolver (No.2 MkIV), double action break-open? If so, I paid $250 for a nice pre-war example last fall (but I suspect it was a pretty good deal).
I don't follow Carbines anymore and can't utter a word regarding value.
"You can lead a man to logic, but you cannot make him think." Joe Harz "Always certain, often right." Keith McCafferty
And Postal Meter is a much less common one than Winchester and Inland which adds a premium. If it in good, working condition I'd look at $1200 as a starting point. If it has no bayonet lug with no signs on the barrel of having one mounted, the flip sights, and is original then value goes up greatly from there.
As for the Enfield, if it is the revolver, $250 is a great price, one in which I would jump on even though I don't need another one. Depending on the condition and features, I would expect a starting point of $400 on up to double that for one in great condition and certain features such as unit designation for one.
Values on the M1 carbines vary widely. Completely original versions can be very valuable, but far and away, these rifles are an assemblage of parts from many manufacturers, and many have been through arsenal updates that take them farther away from original condition.
The last time I went to a gunshow, even the ones with barrels that didn't match receivers and sporting new replacement stocks were over $1000.
If you really want to know, take it to an expert.
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing -- Edmund Burke
some carbine contractors in WWII did not make the entire rifle. Quality Hardware for example did not make their own barrels. That Postal Meter carbine, if in good mechanical shape, should easily bring better than $1200. Last year, I sold several commercial carbines for $800 each. The problem with the whole carbine thing is starting to hinge on ammo availability and price. I find that the folks buying the ones I have been selling already had others, and had ammo. Folks looking to buy their first carbine are realizing that feeding it is going to be expensive and require a lot of searching. I still have a Winchester and a Standard Products that need a new home.
