Prices are regional but the internet sometimes levels it out. I have found Blue Book and the other guidelines to be just that, guidelines. Sometimes I have to pay more that the book values. You see some crazy minimum bid prices occasionaly. Sometimes I am able to buy for less. I watch Gunbroker and the other auctions on line constantly to try to keep up on prices. When the same gun keeps being re-listed with no bids it is a good sign that the starting price is too high. If there is a gun I am serious about and it keeps being relisted I will contact the seller and ask if he will consider an offer below the starting bid price. I have bought a few guns for what I considered a fair price that way. There has been some discussion about a seperate Stevens forum here but it does not seem likely. Keep bringing up your questions and ideas here. Always good to hear from another Stevens collector. I always figure that if I pay a little too much for a gun that is rare or in exceptional shape, time is in my favor. Keep it for a while and the prices will catch up. The older I get, the more important condition is to me. Problem with the boys rifles is that realy mint ones are few and far between.

You almost have to first figure out what you are willing to pay to buy something and then be willing to leave it if it is too highly priced. Then again you have to consider the scarcity. I've sometimes overpaid for something I've wanted only because it was the only one I have seen for sale at any price. 

Any price paid or accepted is a good price if both buyer and seller goes away happy. 

I'm with Marlinguy, Blue Book prices, and I'll add Internet auction prices, are a guide only. 

Ed