valuation on inherited pistol

[lindabowkett]

Hi, looking for a little advice really ,i was offered £300 for this pistol by a well known dealer and he said it was a fair price ,but before i sell it i thought i would ask the people who know,you guys..see what you think ..
all i know is it is a de-lux model or thats what is on the box..

http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/...psltbm1dex.jpg

[draitzer]

Although the Brown Pneumatic pistol in your picture is not in the best of shape, it is indeed the Deluxe version of an extremely scarce American air pistol from around 1939 (you might google "brown pneumatic pistol" for more info). A somewhat cleaner example of the standard version, also with its box, just sold at Holt's auction house for £3,000 before fees. If you were to sell it to a collector directly you will get far more than the dealer's £300; I'd expect a price of £1200 would bring a quick sale.

Please note that my frame of reference is here in the USA where there's not as much airgun collecting interest as in the UK, so my estimate may be LOW).

Don R.

[B&W FOX]

There is a current thread running on the forum titled Holts, and a Brown pistol was sold today at Holts auction and the hammer price was £3000, and it was purchased by a member of this forum.

http://www.airgunbbs.com/showthread.php?804959-Holts

[45flint]

You have the box as well! You have to be putting us on? That just can't come out of nowhere? Certainly my holy grail. How did all these Browns end up in England?

[Mark D]

You have an extremely rare pistol there. The box will add a lot of value if it's in nice shape.

You need not to rush into selling it, as it will most certainly be worth considerably more than the £300 a dealer offered you.

There are a number of collectors on here that will be able to advise you on value and best way to sell it.

Nice 1st post

[micky2]

The blue book of airguns by Robert Beeman 10th edition 2012 values it at $1,250 in about the same condition as your's and add 25% of that price for the box if in good condition.
A very rare pistol indeed. what a lucky find.

[DT Fletcher]

Indeed, rare pistol. Dealer is literally trying to steal it from you and should be called out for it.

to give a real valuation, we need more and better pictures of the gun and the box. Any other paper with it? Instructions were reproduced like a blue print and are worth a lot.

With better pics, can give a better estimate. Even as is, probably $2000 at a minimum in the US.

[lindabowkett]

Thanks for the advice on this pistol guys its appreciated,i know now its a rather valuable pistol,but if i were to sell it would i need to have it re-finished to bring it back to all its glory or leave well alone, trying to gauge wether collectors prefer an original condition gun or one that looks like new,but refinished..or would it even de value the pistol if it was refinished..any advice appreciated ,thanks ..picture below of pistol

http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/...psltbm1dex.jpg

[T 20]

Whatever you do, Linda.

leave it just as it is or you could devalue it by hundreds of pound.




All the best Mick

[RichardH]

Thanks for the advice on this pistol guys its appreciated,i know now its a rather valuable pistol,but if i were to sell it would i need to have it re-finished to bring it back to all its glory or leave well alone, trying to gauge wether collectors prefer an original condition gun or one that looks like new,but refinished..or would it even de value the pistol if it was refinished..any advice appreciated ,thanks ..picture below of pistol

http://i1320.photobucket.com/albums/...psltbm1dex.jpg

As someone who refinishes guns for a living...

You really must leave this as is

[Garvin]

As above, leave it alone!

[Troubledshooter]

As T20, Richard and Garvin say, leave well alone. The majority of collectors much prefer an untouched gun.
Good luck with the sale.

[lindabowkett]

thanks guys ,strange thing is ,we have some collector friends in the usa and they seem to prefer a re finished pistol or rifle ,so its all shiny and new.. i also forgot to mention when this was originally bought the owner had another 3 of these one more delux model and two standard models.,

[Binners]

thanks guys ,strange thing is ,we have some collector friends in the usa and they seem to prefer a re finished pistol or rifle ,so its all shiny and new.. i also forgot to mention when this was originally bought the owner had another 3 of these one more delux model and two standard models.,

Bring it to the next Kempton Fair on 15th October, there will be at least 2 serious collector traders and they will offer you a fair price.

[Troubledshooter]

thanks guys ,strange thing is ,we have some collector friends in the usa and they seem to prefer a re finished pistol or rifle ,so its all shiny and new.. i also forgot to mention when this was originally bought the owner had another 3 of these one more delux model and two standard models.,

I should have said most 'British' collectors like untouched guns, as I too have heard of some American collectors preference for all things shiny and new.