I'm acquiring a 1895 Marlin 45-70 in mint condition with the box. It's a 72 model. First year gun and flawless with some major fine wood on it. What's the value ?
Bigfoots daddy
Welcome from Alabama... One sold a month ago on Gunbroker for $500.00... Not mint, and no box...
Hey Bigfoot - welcome to MO and greetings from Ohio. $800? You say you’re “acquiring” it. What are they asking?
It’s value is whatever you are willing to give for it. If you feel it’s a good deal than go for it.
Brother if you have a life time with it. You won't give two flips at the end what it cost you. People get FAR FAR to caught up in the "I gotta get a good price or I'm lower that snake poop" mentality. Forget about that sillyness. If it's a rifle you honest to yourself about it won't matter. Kindest regards
Welcome to Marlinowners. Sounds like a nice rifle that you will be proud to own. What you are paying does not seem out of line to me from the description. Like others have already said if you want it and can afford it buy it and enjoy it.
I think your on the right track! I gave $675 for this one, it's micro-grooved and 90% to me. Even with the missing bullseye.... When I bought it. Curious if yours is Ballard or micro-grooved? Phone pics are easy once you get the hang of it! If I can post pics anyone can!!
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Bigfoot,
I have a 1979 model like yours. It was Buried in a PVC tube at a hunting cabin. The tube leaked.
This once beautiful Marlin was bordering on FUBAR. I bought it for short money and did some "Kitchen table" smithing.
The Ol' girl runs great!
I have 1 question and 1 statement regarding the above:
question: WITF would you leave your 45-70 in the blankin' GROUND in a blankin' TUBE??!!!
statement: I would be tickled silly to have paid 800 bucks for my '79 model in good condition.
I have a 1979 model like yours. It was Buried in a PVC tube at a hunting cabin. The tube leaked.
This once beautiful Marlin was bordering on FUBAR. I bought it for short money and did some "Kitchen table" smithing.
The Ol' girl runs great!
I have 1 question and 1 statement regarding the above:
question: WITF would you leave your 45-70 in the blankin' GROUND in a blankin' TUBE??!!!
statement: I would be tickled silly to have paid 800 bucks for my '79 model in good condition.
I picked up this (1978 ) 45/70 recently for $550. It's in good shape but it's not Mint w/box $800 doesn't seem out of line.
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The first year 1895s in 45-70 don't seem to command any additional premium. The serial number on the first years are preceded by the letter "B". Some say this indicates Ballard rifling, but I have not been able to verify this. Regardless, Ballard rifling should have only 6 grooves to the microgroove's 13.
Those who insist on Ballard rifling may be willing to pay a bit more for that rifling, but overall, the ones I've seen for sale have not gone for more than the later ones. Condition is of value, but only if you don't intend to use it. If she's to be a safe queen, buy one with the highest condition and best looking wood you can find. But that additional value, if any, will be gone after the first hunting trip, or the first two trips to the range.
I paid 600.00 for mine, 1975 DOM, about 5 years ago. The ones I've seen go for 600-700, mainly because Ohio decided to allow them for deer hunting a few years ago. Those who want to retire their slug guns are still buying them.
I did pass on a first year, B prefix, about 6 years ago for 300.00. Didn't know what it was at the time, but the muzzle looked like it had been used for digging potatoes--dings, dents, and completely in the white. Still I'd have bought it had I known it was a first year.
Everyone who buys firearms for investments takes a risk. The risk is that they will be not be worth any more than purchase price when you want to sell them. The few exceptions are collector weapons that are already worth a lot due to age, condition, factory letters, provenance, (owned by someone famous or used at an important historical event, say, Custer's personal Colt that he had at Little Big Horn, and it can be proven). A few, like model 52 Winchester Sporters have become very desirable, but the ultimate price may have peaked, along with WW1 and WW2 1911s made by certain factories.
It's far too early for Marlins made in the last 75 years to have appreciated much in value beyond their original sales price converted to today's dollars. There were just too many made and too many still around.
My personal opinion is that there will be a lot of 40's, 50's, and later firearms coming onto the market from the estate sales of their original owners. By and large their kids, and certainly their grandkids don't want them, as the Boomers die off. Revolvers are in this category right now.
A good rule is never to pay more than what an item is worth to you. What enjoyment it will bring, or what utility. Even now, many of my guns would not sell for their purchase prices. But the enjoyment and use of them has been more than worth the difference. Very few have appreciated in value, but not the ones I would have expected to.
If you like it, and have the 800.00, buy it. Just don't hang your hat on it being worth that or more when you choose to sell it.
Those who insist on Ballard rifling may be willing to pay a bit more for that rifling, but overall, the ones I've seen for sale have not gone for more than the later ones. Condition is of value, but only if you don't intend to use it. If she's to be a safe queen, buy one with the highest condition and best looking wood you can find. But that additional value, if any, will be gone after the first hunting trip, or the first two trips to the range.
I paid 600.00 for mine, 1975 DOM, about 5 years ago. The ones I've seen go for 600-700, mainly because Ohio decided to allow them for deer hunting a few years ago. Those who want to retire their slug guns are still buying them.
I did pass on a first year, B prefix, about 6 years ago for 300.00. Didn't know what it was at the time, but the muzzle looked like it had been used for digging potatoes--dings, dents, and completely in the white. Still I'd have bought it had I known it was a first year.
Everyone who buys firearms for investments takes a risk. The risk is that they will be not be worth any more than purchase price when you want to sell them. The few exceptions are collector weapons that are already worth a lot due to age, condition, factory letters, provenance, (owned by someone famous or used at an important historical event, say, Custer's personal Colt that he had at Little Big Horn, and it can be proven). A few, like model 52 Winchester Sporters have become very desirable, but the ultimate price may have peaked, along with WW1 and WW2 1911s made by certain factories.
It's far too early for Marlins made in the last 75 years to have appreciated much in value beyond their original sales price converted to today's dollars. There were just too many made and too many still around.
My personal opinion is that there will be a lot of 40's, 50's, and later firearms coming onto the market from the estate sales of their original owners. By and large their kids, and certainly their grandkids don't want them, as the Boomers die off. Revolvers are in this category right now.
A good rule is never to pay more than what an item is worth to you. What enjoyment it will bring, or what utility. Even now, many of my guns would not sell for their purchase prices. But the enjoyment and use of them has been more than worth the difference. Very few have appreciated in value, but not the ones I would have expected to.
If you like it, and have the 800.00, buy it. Just don't hang your hat on it being worth that or more when you choose to sell it.
I'm with HiKiyaker,if you put it to your shoulder and it feels right buy it! If things don't feel right,price whatever don't buy it. All mine are home not as a monetary investment.
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