I've seen piles of rifles, etc just like that, usually on some sort of pallet, sometimes on shelves. Many in worse condition than those in the pics and some, depending on the storage facility, in close to excellent condition.
Those rifles were obviously ridden hard and poorly maintained before being put into storage. That doesn't mean they weren't properly cleaned and kept up in the field, but likely many were unserviceable before going into storage and there either wasn't anyone available to repair them or the nation's procurers, didn't feel they were worth the cost or effort, or parts just weren't available.
The exteriors on those are covered in dust an until random sampling can be done to assess overall condition (even then, it's a crap shoot) real value, after all the hoops of regulation/backsheesh are overcome, can be assessed.
Even 40-60 years ago it was a roll of the dice, unless you got lucky and came across a batch of NOS war stores or FTRs.
Dust isn't a big issue and if the rifles had some sort of protection sprayed or dipped on them before going to that facility, they should be in close to the condition they were just before going into the facility.
Many of those were in use right up to the last day as they are still wearing slings, so I would be very hesitant before bidding on any of that pile, unless I could do a very thorough evaluation. If that wasn't going to be allowed, offer scrap metal price for all of it and walk away if it wasn't accepted.
I saw one warehouse in Mexico, just like that in the pic, half cave and half Quonset, with parts of the roof panels missing. It was full of rifles, of every sort used in Mexico. Muzzle loaders, from France, Spain, England and home produced Mondragons, Mausers and US made types.
All of them were in FAIR ONLY condition, barely functional, if at all. Everything was worn to the point of useless and suitable only as wall hangers or conversation pieces. All were covered in grime from outside and Guano from the droppings of rodents/birds/insects.
I don't know the fellow in the pic, but hopefully he got those rifles cheap enough to turn a profit after all the trouble and expense of getting them out of the country to a place he could evaluate, categorize them. A daunting task.
Sell them on the market as "relic quality" or a nice name for FAIR.
Last edited: