Before a firearm-pricing guide can be effectively used, the condition of the given firearm must be properly evaluated. The following examples provide perspective on establishing a realistic condition assessment of a firearm. MODERN GUN VALUES uses the widely accepted grading criteria developed by the National Rifle Association for modern firearms. For more information, read the Introduction that begins on page 4.
Here are the NRA guidelines; we have made slight modifications (italics) to further help readers determine degrees of condition.
New: In same condition as current factory production, with original box and accessories.
Perfect: In new condition in every respect, but may be lacking box and/or accessories.
Excellent: Near new condition, used but little, no noticeable marring of wood or metal. Bluing perfect (except at muzzle or sharp edges).
Very Good: In perfect working condition, no appreciable wear on working surfaces, visible finish wear but no corrosion or pitting, only minor surface dents or scratches.
Good: In safe working condition, minor wear on working surfaces, no corrosion or pitting that will interfere with proper functioning.
Fair: In safe working condition, but well worn, perhaps requiring replacement of minor parts, or adjustments; no rust, but may have corrosion pits which do not render article unsafe or inoperable.
Smith & Wesson Highway Patrolman, Model 28, in 357 Magnum with a 6-inch barrel. Factory target grips exhibit some wear, but no chipping or gouges. Bore and chambers are slick. The exterior shows typical, but modest, wear. NRA VERY GOOD-plus
Colt Police Positive Special, 38 Special. This revolver has been buffed and reblued, and a Pachmayr grip-filler added. There is occasional light pitting in the bore and chambers. A collector would pass on this specimen, but the excellent mechanics & reliable function make it a perfectly good utility gun. NRA GOOD
Winchester Model 94 XTR Big Bore, chambered for the 375 Winchester. Used but well-maintained. Only faint wear visible in the usual places on both metal and wood. A slightly modified Lyman receiver sight has been installed; using the factory drilled and tapped mounting holes. The bore is bright and the mechanics are excellent. NRA EXCELLENT
Stevens Favorite No. 26 Crack Shot with a 22-inch barrel chambered for the 22LR. Well-used, with obvious wear–but mechanically sound. NRA GOOD
BSA Model 12/15 Match, a British WWII-era shooting club target rifle chambered for the 22LR rimfire cartridge. There were a number of these, and other Martini-actioned target rifles, imported in the late 1990s and into 2000. This rifle was obviously well used, but maintained. The stock retains about 60 percent of the factory finish, with an old repair – and a ragged hole (likely from a sling swivel stud that took a bit too much stress) – at the rear of the forearm. The barrel, receiver and trigger/lever assembly are worn but retain about 80 percent of the original bluing that is thinning in places and turning brown in others. There are no mechanical problems; the reliable Martini action cycles and extracts flawlessly and the trigger breaks cleanly and consistently. The bore is bright, with strong rifling. The Parker-Hale micrometer rear sight is interesting in that the base is drilled through, matching a hole in the receiver that is in alignment with the rifle’s bore. Remove the breechblock assembly and the bore can be cleaned from the breech-end, with the sight base serving as the cleaning rod guide. NRA GOOD
Colt Frontier Buntline Scout, chambered for the 22LR rimfire cartridge. This model was produced only a dozen or so years, and then discontinued. This particular specimen is mechanically sound, although exhibiting a bit of looseness in the cylinder lockup. Bore and chambers are bright, with no pitting. Bluing on the cylinder and barrel shows distinct holster wear, and the scrapes and scratches accumulated during the 40-odd years since it left the Colt factory. The anodized aluminum frame, trigger guard and backstrap are in good shape, as are the factory walnut two-piece grips. NRA GOOD-plus
Smith & Wesson Highway Patrolman, Model 28. This revolver wears a 6-inch barrel and, like all M28s, is chambered for the 357 Magnum. Bore and chambers are bright, and the mechanical function is excellent. The exterior shows some holster wear, as well as a few other wear marks. The original factory Magna grips were replaced by a set of Pachmayr rubber grips. NRA VERY GOOD
Winchester Model 70 Deluxe. This is obviously a hunting rifle, with a handy trajectory and wind drift table taped on the left side of the stock. No pitting or corrosion anywhere, and the bore is bright. The bluing is a bit scratched and worn as might be expected on a field rifle and the stock shows field use as well, although in nice overall condition. NRA VERY GOOD
High Standard Sentinel Mark IV, 22WMR with a 2-inch barrel. There is external wear, and the common bolt drag ring around the cylinder. Excellent function. NRA VERY GOOD
Winchester Model 52A. A nice rifle with most finish remaining on the action and barrel, with few scratches or wear spots. The stock has a few dents and dings, but the factory finish is still strong & unworn. Bore is bright, and function is excellent. NRA VERY GOOD-plus
Remington Model 14. This particular specimen, fitted with a Williams receiver sight, is chambered for the 30 Remington cartridge and exhibits the wear typical of a well-used but well-maintained hunting rifle. NRA GOOD
Remington Model 11A, in 20-gauge with a Modified choke. The gun has been buffed and reblued. The stock is refinished and shows an amateurish attempt to expand upon the factory wrist checkering. The front sight has been replaced with a white bead. Bore is bright and function is excellent. Not much collector value here, but a good find for a hunter. NRA GOOD
Sturm, Ruger Blackhawk New Model, 45 Colt, with 7 1/2-inch barrel. The gun has been fired a fair amount, but is well-maintained. The grips are intact and retain the factory finish. The exterior shows light wear only, and the typical bolt drag ring on the cylinder. Excellent function. NRA VERY GOOD-plus
Savage Model 99C. Half-round, half-octagon barrel, chambered for the 303 Savage cartridge. Fitted with a tang sight and combination front sight. This is a well-used rifle with worn stock and metal finish. The action works smoothly and this rifle still has plenty of hunts in it. NRA FAIR
Lefever Nitro Special, in 20-gauge with 26-inch barrels. Bores are bright. The frame retains much of the original case-color and the barrels have at least 90 percent of the bluing remaining. The wood shows no cracks, but there are scratches, and a distinct gouge on the forend. All in all, a tight lightly-used specimen with the wear appropriate for its age. NRA VERY GOOD-plus
