Wilson’s Official Guide can be helpful for oddball guns not listed in the others.

Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Arms is absolutely the best for antique American arms.

Be warned that their “condition definitions” for antique guns are radically different from the widely accepted NRA antique condition definitions.

The Standard Catalog of Firearms by Schwing, uses the “Excellent” through “Fair” rating system, has lots of photos and is good all around guide.

The Blue Book of Gun Values by Fjestad, uses the percentage system, which is good for modern guns and there are no pictures.

Most value questions can be answered by the major price guides, which include: I’ve seen folks buff a $2,000 gun into a $200 junker! Reference Books Never take it upon yourself to clean up an old gun unless you know what you’re doing. Refinishing a collectible gun, modifying it, customizing it or over-cleaning it nearly always lowers the value. The Percentage Systems rates the percent of original finish remaining on the gun, 100% to 0%. Each condition rating has a specific definition (you can find these defined in the Blue Book of Gun Values). The NRA Condition Standards rate modern guns as New, Excellent, Very Good, Good or Fair, and antique guns as Excellent, Fine, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. This is a somewhat technical evaluation, and if you’re not familiar with guns, you probably won’t be able to do it, and should ask help. Differences in condition can easily halve or double the value of a gun.

Condition: After you know what it is, the biggest factor in value is the condition of the gun.

Either way, list all markings on the gun.

Markings: if you know the make and model, say so.

Measurements: barrel length, overall length.

Otherwise, give an approximate measurement of bore diameter.

Action: What type of action does it have – single shot, break-open, double barrel, bolt action, pump action, lever action, revolver, semi-auto, other? Double or single action? Exposed hammer or hammerless? If revolver, solid frame, tip-up, top-break, or swingout cylinder?.

Type: Long gun or hand gun? Is it a muzzleloader or does it take shells? If it’s a handgun, is it a revolver (with a rotating cylinder holding the rounds) or an autopistol (with a removable magazine)? If a long gun, is it a shotgun or rifle?.

Find gun value by serial number