My husband has a 1909 32.40 in mint condition and we would like to sell it, but are very unsure of it's exact value. Any information would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Margie Harris
princessmakoli@yahoo.com

Hello Margie,

Your 1899 would be one of about 7 standard models made that year. We need to determine which it is. Condition needs to be verified...do you have pictures you could e-mail or post?
I can say that an 1899 in .32-40 and in excellent condition will get a lot of notice.

We need details on the model. Length of barrel (round, octagon, 1/2 round), pistol grip or straight stock, solid frame or take-down, butt plate (cresent or shotgun), checkering?

Condition...has it been drill and tapped for a scope, recoil pad added, sling added, sights changed, refinished/reblued or cracked or split wood?

Rick....

Thanks for responding- and please bear with me because unfortunately, I don't know anything about guns, and my husband is completely computer illiterate! I do have some pictures, but I haven't been able to figure out how to include them in my message. I can definently email them to you though. As far as the condition, everything is original from the factory nothing has been added or refinished.

I'll take a look if you want to e-mail them to me, rlezzz@sunflower.com . Make sure you put Savage in the subject line so I don't miss it.

Rick....

One of the advantages of selling a gun on an internet auction is that you don't really need to know what the value is to get a top price. If you advertise in the Gun List or gunsamerica - you have to set a price. I've known people who have advertised a gun for what turned out to be a way too low price. The first call comes from their Gun List ad, they sell it promptly and feel happy. This is short-lived as more calls in and when they got to about 50 or 100 calls about the same gun, they're not feeling so happy. This doesn't happen on an internet auction. If you have something desireable - the bidding can often get much higher than anyone would predict. Come to think of it, this often even happens with something that isn't all that desireable. A good, accurate description along with several clear photos will help bring in more bidders.

I have two pictures available for viewing, I've been trying to upload more, but I think yahoo is having some technical problems because I haven't been able to, yet.
Go to http://photos.yahoo.com/princessmakoli click on the album named 1909 Savage.
Can anyone recommend a good auction site that will list guns? The only site I'm familiar with is ebay and they will not list them. Thanks!

It appears to be a special order rifle. The first thing I would do would be to purchase a letter from the Savage Historian to determine if the rifle was all factory original. Depending on what you find out about the rifle, you might also want to consisder one of the better auction houses.

Mr. John T. Callahan, Savage Arms Historian
53 Old Quarry Road
Westfield, MA 01085
$20.00 per gun research fee.
Send serial number, allow 3-4 weeks for delivery.

Rick....

Oh my, just looked at the pictures! Everybody needs to take a look at these! You definitely need to send for that letter. If that gun letters with the rare features that I see on it - it is worth many thousands of dollars. You could list it on auctionarms or gunbroker and pay about 2% to 3% of the sale price. However, if you have a letter verifying the special features I see on it, it would add thousands to what bidders would likely be willing to pay. Right now, I'm really wishing I was your next door neighbor and you just asked me if I had any interest in the gun. Also, I have to ask, does your husband have other guns as well?

I have more pics in an aol photo album- this link should work- aol photo album
I am sending for the history of the gun in the next couple of days. We had some guy look at it a couple of years ago, a savage collector who had books and stuff- he offered up $5000 on the spot, but we weren't ready to sell yet- he also said he'd seen one go for about $16000. He bought it for almost nothing, from someone who obviously didn't know what he had, and took it to a local gun dealer to see if he could get some kind of idea of the value of the gun. The guy admired the gun alot and offered him $1200 on the spot "no questions asked". That was about 10 years ago, but the guy's reaction was what made Curt think this gun was potentially very valuable. That's why we're having such a tough time- we really don't know what to sell for. If we go the auction route- does anyone know if you can put in a reserve- like on ebay, so if the bids don't reach a certain price, you don't have to sell? We didn't start looking for more info until a few years ago, he wanted to hold onto it for a long time- we're only selling now to finance a big move and down payment towards a house. Yes, my husband (Curt Harris) does have other hunting rifles and a handgun, but none like this one- he's never even fired it. I really appreciate all the help!

Not only can you put in a reserve, you can set a starting bid and bid increments on www.AuctionArms.com Be very detailed in your discription and pay the premium to put up extra pictures.