Shotguns Mfg Dates - Approx Value - More

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

My Father-in-Law recently passed and left several sporting guns.  I am not a gun person but I think I have narrowed down the makes and models but would like some more info if you could help?
This is what I got:

Smith-Wesson .44 Magnum 8 3/8" Barrel  - Model 29 #S206748
Browning .7 Caliber   #57427 L70
Winchester Model 1897 12GA - Full #E 868877
Amaded Rossi SA  Coach gun PG #S2 4677
Belgian Browning Magnum A5 ShotGun  #OV28290
Browning Citori O/U Special Steel 12GA - 2 3/4 Shells   #4291S2

Any info you could provide would be greatly appreciated (age/worth). They are all in very nice condition - he took good care of his guns and loved to hunt. I need to find a local dealer to try and sell them for some cash for my Mother-in-Law.
Also do you have any history on a mid 1800's gunmaker George Spangler from Monroe WIS?  I have an old Muzzle loading flintlock rifle of his.

Thank you!

Paul Murphy



ANSWER: Hi


The Browing you can date off thier website by serial number.
http://www.browning.com/customerservice/dategun/index.asp

The S&W you get a copy of the book
"Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson, Third edition"
There no online database. S&W sells history letters.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CustomContentDisplay?store

Winchester records are at Buffalo Bill Historical Society.
They offer factory letters.
http://www.bbhc.org/firearms/records.cfm


>Smith-Wesson .44 Magnum 8 3/8" Barrel  - Model 29 #S206748

The Model 29 $150 to $650 depending on the condition.
4 bolt models add 50% to the values.
These are collecable and should be appraised by a gunsmith.


Browning .7 Caliber   #57427 L70
(bolt action rifle 7mm? Model name BAR High-Power Rifle)
The value of this rifle depends on grade (Safari, Medallion or Olympian) and condition.
Another factor is if it has a salt wood stock. that lowers its value.
I would request the historical letter on this.
http://www.browning.com/customerservice/qna/detail.asp?ID=197
It can be worth $400 to $5000

Winchester Model 1897 12GA - Full #E 868877
There are 7 different variation of these.
Its worth $200 to $3000 depending on exact model and condition
I would get a factory letter and have it appraised.

Amaded Rossi SA  Coach gun PG #S2 4677
Its worth $75 to $225 depending on condition.

Belgian Browning Magnum A5 ShotGun  #OV28290
$200 to $700 depending on it condition.
add 20% for a vent rib barrel.

Browning Citori O/U Special Steel 12GA - 2 3/4 Shells   #4291S2
I would need to know exact model model and grade.
I would get the historical letter on it.
It needs to be appraised in person by a gunsmith.
There are dozens of Citori variation some can make mahe a huge difference in value.

Sorry I can't give you exact values.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Paul,

Thank you for the information and knowledge. I have one more to ask you about, its stamped an M2- .30 Cal. Carbine rifle #7545390.  I asked a Police Officer I know who is a gun man and he said it is not the Fully Automatic.  It does not have a Selector lever to change modes so he says it would be semi-automatic.  Am I even understanding all this correctly. I looked it up and it was made by GM.  What would be the value range? I am not sure of the history or age but the condition is very good.

Thank You

Answer
M2 were select fire.
There are some converted and resold.

This is collecable arm.
Depending on condition and marking anywhere from $500 to a few thousand.
M2 are fairly rare. Some were sold through the NRA by the civilian markesmanship program.
But there was also re-imports, some even cut in half then later welded back and sold.
Then there ones made with mixed parts military and civilian. Then there arsenal refurbished arms.
You need a place that specializes in military arms appraise it.
Production on M2 started in 1944. 570,000 were made compared 5.5 million M1 carbines.