How to date a Cooey 600 - I think I got a good one

Sixmaniac

Sixmaniac

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Lower Mainland BC
After keeping a lookout for a good example of a Cooey, I found this little gem on Sunday.
I'm guessing that it is at least 35 years old, but it is in as near new condition as I could have hoped. A couple of handling marks are the only evidence of it ever having been used. It has also been engraved with a nine digit serial # and then re-blued over the engraving (it could be a telephone number).
Wood 99%, Blue/steel 99%, Bolt 100%, Bore 100%
How can I tell the actual age?
What is the value?









 
You can't tell the actual age but it's between 1967 and 1979. I'd guess closer to 1979. As far as value, since it has had someone's sin number engraved into it and removed, I say no more than $150.00 on a good day .
 
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So it's anything between 35 and 47 years old. Thanks for the input.

Wow "$150 on a good day", how come they're never that cheap when you're buying!? I guess you have to be patient and sift through the EE gravel and hope that you find a nugget ;)
 
Yes, you often can't go by the prices on the EE or asking prices on any website as far as that goes. We never really see the actual selling price . Also, value will be influenced pretty much on any gun once something has been done to it. In the case of your model 600, maximum price for an as new, original, unmolested example would be in the $200.00 area and many wouldn't pay that. Your gun has had a sin number engraved into it and then removed and touched up. That will subtract from the value that a same condition gun would bring that didn't have the number engraved into it. But, giving a value is only a guesstimate. It all depends on how badly a buyer wants a particular gun on any given day so ultimately value would be decided at selling time.
Your's is a nice gun by the way.
 
Sixmaniac said:
So it's anything between 35 and 47 years old. Thanks for the input.

Wow "$150 on a good day", how come they're never that cheap when you're buying!? I guess you have to be patient and sift through the EE gravel and hope that you find a nugget ;)
Click to expand...

Nice rifle, well photographed and thanks for sharing!

gunsaholic knows these rifles and their market very, very well. Do a Cooey search on this Rimfire forum, you will find he is a great resource....

And I think he is bang on correct on his assesment in regards to your 600.

It looks to be a late production 600 to me, sometime in the mid to late 70's.

Value is, what someone will pay. Anyone who is into Cooeys and willing to pay top dollar for a mint example, will be bothered by the SIN number removal.

Others, will overlook the repair and be happy with a preserved survivor that they can coo over and take out shooting. But, these folks won't be paying top dollar either.

In the end, enjoy it for what it really is, and try to not be concerned about the end game 'what can I sell it for' or 'hope I aim for the stars and hit the moon with my new Cooey investment'

Did you get a good deal? I don't know...but I do know you got a good rifle....!
 
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Maybe its my age showing, but i cant understand the lack of dollar appreciation for these old Cooey's.
They seem to be the only firearm that hasn't gone crazy in pricing the last few years.
They are amazingly accurate and well made rifles.
I have two model "39's" that are basically the same condition as your 600.
One is a 1960's model and the other is a late 70's model.
The 60's model was hardly shot while the 70's model took a lot of critters and taught
several family members the basics of shooting and marksmanship.
Both are unbelievably accurate.
If I was ever (in my opinion) dumb enough to sell either one,
I would consider the buyer getting a bargain if i let them go for $150. each.
I base a lot of this on the quality of them and what a new comparable rifle would cost if you were to buy from a store with tax and possibly shipping added.
So as a previous poster noted, the price you are able to get for one depends on the buyers willingness to pay for something they appreciate and want.
Some people have little or no use for them, while others are Cooey collectors.
The Coburg factory was still open when i bought my 70's model rifle, and I lived about a half hour away from it.
 
Thanks for the comments and informed opinions.
My question as to value was nothing more than idle curiosity. I'm delighted to have found a nice one, and it was never my intention to sell it if I did.
Living in Canada, and being a gun enthusiast it is incumbent upon one to add a Cooey to the collection ;) Hopefully I'll have time this weekend to find out if it shoots as well as everyone says.
 
Part of the trouble with value of Cooeys is that this is Canada , the country of production. They were a relatively inexpensive gun, and as they were made here, there are/were a couple of million Cooeys around of various models. Some of the models were and still are vey common so don't fetch high dollars unless in new or like new condition and then the higher value will likely only be paid by a collector. There are some rare models though that will fetch a higher value. Some of these models are the ones such as the model 55, Ace2, Bisley Sport, Cooey Specials with hand engraving, the model 62 with both peep apertures, some early Canucks, and the model 82 military trainer. But they still won't fetch prices like older Winchesters and Remingtons do. Plus there is still the sentiment by many in this country which is, "it's just another Cooey" which doesn't help value.
Another brand that I think are under valued, as far as vintage guns, are the older Mossbergs. While certain models have started to climb in value, many can still be had for under $200.00. And as much as I like Cooeys, the old Mossbergs were full size rifles and of better quality. But it's kind of the same thing as Cooey, "it's just an old Mossberg".
 
For age? On the later end of production for sure. I like 'em enough [60/600], and find your model desirable because of the ability to accept standard rimfire rings (Grooved receiver!). If you're an optics appreciator this feature is very convenient, and on the trailing end of production.

Value? Crazy times man. In a few short years they've gone from affordable little shooting gems, to nostalgic l'il pieces of Canadiana.
 
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