Recently, I saw four custom rifles, one FN and three pre-64 model 70s on Gunbroker. The rifles were built by Ottmar. Highest bid was $1725 on one of the 70s. None of the rifles sold, because the reserve price was not met. These rifles were drop dead gorgeous and looked unfired. One in 358 Norma really got my rifle lust up, but I was at a loss as to what to bid. I can always look at the blue book for factory rifles, but how do I establish fair price for a used custom? Thanks, Stoney
Posts: 336 | Location: Central PA | Registered: 01 February 2004
With very few exceptions, a custom rifle is purely worth what the eye of the beholder (or bidder) feels it is. That is why they are often tremendous bargains to be had in the used custom market, again with a few well known names as exceptions. I have 2 used custom guns and I fell they were absolute steals vs. what I would have had to pay to recreate the work.
Posts: 1539 | Location: NC | Registered: 10 June 2002
While factory guns of virtually any quality level will resell as used-but-mint at around their wholesale value, or about 75%-80% of store price, a custom rifle is another story. Custom rifles are just that -- custom-made to the owner's specifications. This includes stock dimensions, cast off/on, barrel length, weight, caliber, etc. They are supposedly tailored to the individual, and thus may or may not be appropriate for another individual. On the typical custom rifle, I would expect it to be worth (in terms of market value) no more than half of what the customer paid when he walks out the door with it.
Of course if the custom rifle were made by a "big name" maker (especially one that has passed on), the price may get a little boost from the maker's reputation, but basically, the resale price on most custom rifles will less than the seller is willing to take and more than the buyer is willing to give, therefore they're pretty slow to move.
Posts: 13261 | Location: Henly, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2001
There are two ways to get your money's worth on custom rifles:
The first way is to locate and purchase, second-hand, fine hand-made beauties such as those Ottmar rifles. Then hang on to them, use them for hunting, and enjoy them for a lifetime.
The second way is to very carefully think-out and have put together exactly the sort of custom rifle you want by a good custom riflesmith who will stand behind his work; he'll be the type of guy who will ensure its function, accuracy, etc., before he ever sends it out to you, and what you'll get will be solid using rifle that's built exactly to your specs. Again, the way to get your money's worth is to keep it, shoot it, hunt with it, and build a lifetime of memories with it. Never sell it, and do pass it on to your son or daughter. Make it part of your own personal hunting legacy.
I believe that if you think you might have to sell any custom rifle you might have put together, you'd best not commission the project to begin with........
Watch the gun list under custom guns, sometimes you can buy a nice custom rifles for 25 to 50 cents on the dollar that's made by a well known smith..I have bought some really fine rifles by some top gun makers out of the list..
Posts: 42209 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000
In my experience, which is mostly confined to 1900-1950 rifles by such as Adolph, G&H, Owen, Shelhamer, Hoffman et al, it is hard for a seller to break 3000 unless the rifle is engraved by someone like Kornbrath, Fugger or Griebel (who IMO is very inferior to the first two). I have relatively little interest in post 1950 "classics", too many of them have over elaborate checkering and woodwork and from twenty feet off look as alike as peas in a pod.
I did notice, that to my taste, three of the four Ottmar rifles were a bit over the top. The stock work, particularly the checkering, seemed designed to show the stockmakers skill, rather than serve any functional purpose. Lots of scroll work interspersed within the checkering. The fourth rifle was simple and elegant in comparison. Although the same level of craftmanship was evident. Stoney
Posts: 336 | Location: Central PA | Registered: 01 February 2004
