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Need an estate appraiser

ecocks

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2009
Messages
1,040
Location
USA
Anyone able to refer me to some good, reputable appraisers of firearms and military equipment in the Charlottesville area?

I have a friend who is sorting through his father's moderately-sized collection of Civil War, WW I, WW II and modern firearms, uniforms and stuff. Don't want him ripped off since he knows nothing about them. He was thinking about just throwing them up on e-Bay but I said no way. His Dad was a partner in a gun-store so I am looking forward to getting his inventory list in a couple of days.

For those who have the movie Gettysburg his Dad is/was the Union Sergeant sitting at the campfire and the first soldier you see as the movie starts.
 
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skidmark

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
10,444
Location
Valhalla
First off, E-Bay does not allow offers of handguns or ammo for sale.

I suggest you contact http://rockislandauction.com and give them a list of what is there. Look at their catalogs and see what other stuff like it has sold for.

From personal experience I recommend them without qualification. Depending on what's in the collection it may be worth the expense to send stuff to them for a full appraisal even if it is decided not to list with them.

Also, get a good attorney's advice on how to expense the costs of appraising and selling the collection, as it can save a lot in taxes and other fees.

stay safe.
 

ecocks

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2009
Messages
1,040
Location
USA
True about the guns but the war memorabilia (uniforms and stuff) was planned for e-bay and he had called me about putting the guns up on some gun auction websites. I warned him he needed a better idea of how to set a starting/minimum bid as well as understand their market value better before doing that.

I'd hate to see him let something really valuable go or get ripped-off in his effort to get the items disposed of more quickly.
 
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skidmark

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
10,444
Location
Valhalla
Rock Island Auction handles memorabilia as well as firearms. They seem to get decent prices for the items they handle.

And for the record, I have no financial relationship with them except that they have auctioned some stuff for me.

stay safe.
 
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