How much does SIN number degrade the value of rifle

[jimmyjazz]

So a friend has a Steyr Mannlicher 1956 in great shape and I want to buy it from him but it has an old SIN engraved in 4 places.

1 - the loading port
2 - Receiver ring
3 - scope
4 - side mount scope base

Does this devalue it a lot or just a little, he is a good friend and I want to be fair but at the same time I don't want to put myself in a spot to lose too much if I ever sell it.

 

[David L]

Collector value probably since altered but market/hunter value nope.

 

[saskbooknut]

To me, it demolishes value.
Every time I looked at the gun, it would bother me.
No thanks.

 

[nomad 68]

Hurts to look at that.

 

[Jay]

Beautiful rifle, shame about the SIN... BUT, you said 'good friend', and if it's his SIN, then I would overlook it as it is part of the nostalgia of the firearm.

If it's just someone's SIN, then it would bug me...

Cheers
Jay

 

[gaff]

nothing a proper gunsmith couldn't fix on the rifle. the scope might be a different story though.

 

[Big Bad]

Interesting fact- engraving SINs on an item does not in ANY way allow the police to find the owner, should it be stolen. Law enforcement cannot access SIN information. What it just might do is allow the thief to steal your identity as well. If you want to engrave a number, use your DL- those are identifiable and usable all over the continent... at least as long as you also include the province of origin.

 

[hunter5425]

Used to be a common thing to do to firearms when I was growing up, it always seems to be done in the ugliest manner possible in a very conspicuous place.

 

[AMET]

That would knock the value down considerably

 

[MilkBread]

aside from the scope i think it would be easy enough to remove the rest would just take some effort.

 

[45ACPKING]

i found a mint condition Lee enfield No4T Sniper with correct and matching scope, sling and scope transit case , also numbers matching.... I posted it on cgn at the time.
It also was ravaged by some dumbasss with an electropencil basically destroying it's true value.
Such a beautiful rifle too, nicest 4T I've ever seen in person...... such a shame/

 

[reddog9x19]

Had a cop tell me the same thing that Big Bad said.

 

[Scamaniac]

When not a collector, I’ve found 20-30% discount to non bubba’d value will entice a sale with SIN markings. YMMV.

 

[Trimmer 905]

If the markings aren't deep and can easily be removed,I'd still buy the rifle,but,the price would have to be right.

 

[StoneHorse]

If the markings aren't deep and can easily be removed, I'd still buy the rifle but the price would have to be right.

^^^ What Trimmer 905 said. It would have to be substantially discounted.

 

[Sir Plus]

It depends on the gun. On a utilitarian entry level rifle, not a big difference.
On a rifle like yours that is considered collectible, potentially a 10% discount is in order.

 

[kamlooky]

Curious to know what it would cost to remove them ugly streaks?
Dennis?

 

[guntech]

To me it would reduce the value considerably. The better the condition of the rifle would make it even worse. Contrary to post #6, it is not an easy fix. It would require careful polishing and re-bluing. Maybe $300 + and the rifle value would still be less than original. The scope replaced.

Every cop who promoted the marking of firearms this way should receive a kick in the nuts every day.

 

[MiG25]

Every cop who promoted the marking of firearms this way should receive a kick in the nuts every day.

Into the 80's at least you could go to the local Cop Shop and borrow their electric pencil.

 

[Ironheart]

Seen this many times at gun shows, its disgusting and i would never purchase any firearm with this sort of thing done to it, absolutely hideous

It would knock the price down 75%