I have a Remington Model 51 32 ACP that I am writing a provenance for future sale. Im sorry to duplicate my Newbie intro: Thanks to your (RSA) serial number listing, I was able to determine it was made in 1922. The gun was carried for personal protection during the Depression. The gun was carried in a Heiser Denver holster. The gun and the holster are in wonderful condition for 104 years of age.
My goal is the find a value and offer it for sale. Any recommendations of Firearm Auctions would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Mark
Model 51 provenance
Re: Model 51 provenance
Hi Mark,
This is probably not good news for you. The provenance is the history of a specific item. In your case, you are the current owner, who owned the pistol before you, and who did he get the gun from? And how far back can the gun be traced to a known owner? Do you have any proof of the ownership of the pistol at any point? No proof, then no provenance.
Unless you can [u][i]prove[/i][/u] ownership with a known celebrity, good guy or bad guy, or a famous person,the provenance will usually add no value to the pistol. It may make the pistol easier to sell, but no added value.
Eample: A pistol claimed to belong to Frank Hamer, the man that killed Bonnie & Clyde. A notarized letter that states something like, "My grandpa John Doe says that Frank Hamer gave him this pistol." Is not provenance to Hamer, it is only provenance to your grandpa. If you also had a photo of grandpa & Hamer together, it adds interest, but again no proof that Hamer owned it.
A notarized letter written by your grandpa that says "Hamer gave me this pistol, serial 12345" Adds to the interest, but many will not take that as proof it was Hamer's, its only proof that your Grandpa owned the gun. A Notary only confirms that the signature is that of the person signing the letter, not that the content of the letter is true.
As to the value, the policy here is that we give no estimates on value, unless we can appraise it in person. Your best bet is a dealer that is very familiar with the make and model of the gun. Anything less is just a guess.
We also do not recommend any particular auction house.
Sorry that this isn't good news for you, but you have a nice pistol that is fun to shoot, and probably very accurate.
Daniel
This is probably not good news for you. The provenance is the history of a specific item. In your case, you are the current owner, who owned the pistol before you, and who did he get the gun from? And how far back can the gun be traced to a known owner? Do you have any proof of the ownership of the pistol at any point? No proof, then no provenance.
Unless you can [u][i]prove[/i][/u] ownership with a known celebrity, good guy or bad guy, or a famous person,the provenance will usually add no value to the pistol. It may make the pistol easier to sell, but no added value.
Eample: A pistol claimed to belong to Frank Hamer, the man that killed Bonnie & Clyde. A notarized letter that states something like, "My grandpa John Doe says that Frank Hamer gave him this pistol." Is not provenance to Hamer, it is only provenance to your grandpa. If you also had a photo of grandpa & Hamer together, it adds interest, but again no proof that Hamer owned it.
A notarized letter written by your grandpa that says "Hamer gave me this pistol, serial 12345" Adds to the interest, but many will not take that as proof it was Hamer's, its only proof that your Grandpa owned the gun. A Notary only confirms that the signature is that of the person signing the letter, not that the content of the letter is true.
As to the value, the policy here is that we give no estimates on value, unless we can appraise it in person. Your best bet is a dealer that is very familiar with the make and model of the gun. Anything less is just a guess.
We also do not recommend any particular auction house.
Sorry that this isn't good news for you, but you have a nice pistol that is fun to shoot, and probably very accurate.
Daniel