Price on an Ithica M37 Trench Gun? Need some help.

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Frost Cracked

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I have an opportunity to pick up an Ithica M37 trench gun. It's a real one, with appropriate stamps and markings, heat shield, etc. No bayonet though.

It has been reblued by a professional gunsmith and had the screws in the heat shield replaced. It's in fantastic condition (after being reblued) but I am not sure what it is worth.

Could anyone give me a ballpark from where to work from, considering the reblueing and parts replacement?

-Thanks
 
Frost Cracked said:
Could anyone give me a ballpark from where to work from, considering the reblueing and parts replacement? -Thanks
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That's precisely the part that kills the serious collector value - the reblueing and parts replacement. It is no longer an all original, un-messed with historical example, which significantly affects resale value in an (unfortunately) negative way. I too, would vlaue it at under $1000, say $750 because it has the markings, heat-shield and bayonet lug.
 
If it's been reblued, look for a better example if you want a collectable piece. It will always be a reblued gun. It was worth more in it's original state.

If you want a shooter, make a real lowball offer as the collector value is diminished.
 
I wouldn't sell it for less then a grand and I'd be asking for more or simply keep it and enjoy.... specially after paying someone to restore it.

I get the collector issue but saying it's worth $750 is pretty funny...... imagine suggesting a fully restored and custom painted classic mustang or corvette is worth less then one with an original patina from the 60's and scratches and dents from the good ol days.... :)
 
I'd rather have a refinished original then one of the new ones with the US MSRP of around $1300 US

M37-Trench.jpg
 
Can
Good on ya for keeping one like that.
However the OP did not do (or pay for) the work.
The reality is that the rework is a negotiating point, like it or not.

And you bet, you restore and "custom" paint a Mustang and you will loose money over a pure (even restored) stocker.
And probably loose money overall - car restoration can be like that, seen that frequently.
 
oldstarfire said:
Can
Good on ya for keeping one like that.
However the OP did not do (or pay for) the work.
The reality is that the rework is a negotiating point, like it or not.

And you bet, you restore and "custom" paint a Mustang and you will loose money over a pure (even restored) stocker.
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I don't have one, the picture I posted is current production ( over $1500 Cdn), but as a non collector I'd be interested in a fully restored original. I agree that it doesn't have great collector value..... just nice gun value! :)

My point with the car comparison was more that a fully restored mustang is worth more then one with original dents and rust holes.... but maybe I'm wrong as I'm not a car collector either..... :)
 
Bartok5 said:
That's precisely the part that kills the serious collector value - the reblueing and parts replacement. It is no longer an all original, un-messed with historical example, which significantly affects resale value in an (unfortunately) negative way. I too, would vlaue it at under $1000, say $750 because it has the markings, heat-shield and bayonet lug.
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^^^^^^what he said^^^^^^^^

I wish I kept my Win1897 about 10 years ago I sold it for just under a Grand, dents and all.
 
Coyote Ugly said:
Cars are not guns. Any Rebluing of a gun reduces the value significantly.
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Thanks for clearing that up.... :)

I agree that any re bluing of an antique collector is not money well spent, but re bluing a user does not lower the value significantly.

I can think of a few guns I own that if they were re-blued their value would improve.
 
The small lot of US trench guns that got imported from Vietnam about 20+ years ago or so, weren't they arsenal reparkerized over the years? WW1 and WW2 Winchester Model 12, Winchester 1897, etc...
 
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