I was at the local gun show and two guns showed up of interest but I did not buy because I think the prices are a bit high for today. Anyway, I am just wondering general valuations on guns like these (Buy price vs sell price):

1) HighWall N 104,xxx standard everything, 30", #3, 32-40, gray gun but tight, rifling good (darkened lands, better grooves) but not match quality by any stretch but better than full pitting, smooth gray metal finish on everything, the only bad part is the receiver had a couple pea sized deformations right behind the trigger from a hammer. Asking price was $2,200

2) Borchart military rifle SN 300 PV3 on top of receiver ring, no other blemishes, smooth gray finish on all. Asking price was $2,200

My mind has the values in the $1,200 range since neither is a collector and in general you would be buying it for the action and other parts.

Thanks for your thoughts,
Charles

  What does "PV3 on top of receiver ring" mean?

bohemianway wrote on Mar 24^th, 2016 at 9:16pm:


Contrary to popular belief the Chinese Contract Borchardt's were not the first were not the first to be produced. Certainly they were the first military order received. The delivery of these rifles was delayed much to the annoyance of the Chinese Gov't due to the Sharps Factory wanting to get their Creedmoor version ready for the US National Team. The first production Borchardt serial no. 0 was a Creedmoor as were many others under the 150 serial number range. It would appear that the Chinese Contract rifles were not consecutively numbered but varied considerably in their serial no. range. As indeed did all the different variations produced. None of the variants would appear to be a set production run of consecutively numbered items.

All the Borchardt variants could be made from the standard military action and it would appear that the only explanation for the way the serial numbers are all over the place is that the variants were made to order only. When an order came in, an action would be taken from a rack where finished actions were stored and the additional machining required for that model would be carried out and then it would be fitted with a barrel of the required calibre and stocked as per order. Essentially every Borchardt other than the military model was a custom made item built solely to order.

I cannot comment on the value of a High Wall action I don't have enough knowledge to do so, but a Borchardt military rifle in near factory new condition with it's original cleaning rod  would be worth a minimum of 8,000.00 USD. But only because they are so scarce. Hundreds of Borchardt's were made into 'Varmint rifles' thus destroying most of their original features, such rifles with white spacers on the stock and a worn out barrel provided the action is sound will get, 1,500 USD. Creedmoor rifles have sold from 25,000 to 80,000 USD at auction but these are rare items in near perfect condition and most will probably never be shot again, but rest in the rifle collections of the wealthy. If you want to build a rifle on a Borchardt action look to buying an action only. Action parts are currently available but that may not be so in the near future.

Harry

Hello Ken,
Thanks for the 'Good Vibrations' they are all welcome from anyone.
Harry

marlinguy wrote on Mar 26^th, 2016 at 6:32pm:
hey Val did you offer it for sale here? I don't remember seeing it.

John

I was workin in AL when you sold it, I was all moneyed up. Lol. I'm a sucker for rifles with good sights!

The guy that got it stole it. Good to see good deals being had anyway.

John

a few weeks ago at the antwerp anique arms fair" Musket"
there was a nice militia/military sharps borchardt for sale
in very good condition  with original rod 
jarmann

Hang in there Harry, best wishes. It's always interesting to read what Harry's up to.