identification

[twocoloreyes]

hey, someone in my area is selling a group of old rifles he has no idea what they are and has no idea if they are working or not, he only sent me one picture. if any of you can id any of these rifles or at least tell me if its worth my time to drive out there and check them out, that would be great.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

[TRICKSTER]

Looks like a couple of trapdoor rifles http://www.trapdoorcollector.com/m66.html, maybe a couple of Vetterli's, a Mosin 91/30 for a start. If the price is right, anything is worth looking at.

[chknlyps2]

Is that an M44 missing the bayonet on the far right?

[Rogerbutthead]

My guesses - from left to right

1) M1867 Milbank-Amsler ? http://oldmilitaryrifles.eu/switzerland/switzerland.htm

2) 1874 Gras rifle? http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/vie...?f=149&t=75771

3) 1890 Italian Vetterli Model 1870 in 6.5 Carcano http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=223746126

4) Italian Vetterli-Vitali M1870/87 also seen at the page under 1

5) ? Snider Carbine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snider-Enfield
or a M1853/67 French " 'a Tabatiere" http://www.militaryrifles.com/france/Tabatier.htm

6) Mosin Nagant Carbine - missing its handguard? http://7.62x54r.net/MosinID/MosinID.htm

7) M1874/80 carbine ? http://www.surplusrifleforum.com/vie...70b4aee12bf917http://oldmilitaryrifles.eu/ under France

[twocoloreyes]

thanks for the info, i think your right on most of them. his first asking price was 1000 for the lot, im thinking thats too high, even if its worth it i cant afford that. i figure if i can come to him with some real info and prices i might be able to talk him down.

[twocoloreyes]

what should i be looking out for if i go down to check them out?

[Rogerbutthead]

I'd worry about rust, but I have never tried to clean up neglected weapons.

A grand seems pretty cheap to me, you could probably offer them for sale on Gunbroker or some of those forums listed above and more than make your money back, if they are in decent shape.

[mosinnagantm9130]

A grand sounds reasonable.

[twocoloreyes]

how about if they are non functioning? is it still worth it?

[Rogerbutthead]

Except for the Mosin Nagant, I do not think anyone who was gonna buy those rifles would be looking for shooters. They are in my mind wall hangers/collector pieces.

If there are missing pieces - like the handguard on the Mosin Nagant, that is just a reason to negotiate a lower purchase price.

I think you have a great opportunity to jump start your collection, if those rifles - if half decent - ever get to a gun store, you will never see a one thousand dollar acquisition price again.

[jcaoloveshine]

^ yeah, the only gun that you could actually shoot is the mosin, so you'd end up with quite a few paperweights unless you get into reloading obscure calibers (not sure, but you might even need to cast your own bullets since some of those guns were made before spitzer rounds were the norm)

[bruceflinch]

Where they at? CGN Group buy?

[echo1]

Where are they? If your going to pass I mght give a run at it. PAX

[twocoloreyes]

they are at an old mans house, they arent posted anywhere, if i pass on them and he says its ok, i will give out the info.

[Mike A]

I'd say the parts alone there are well worth a grand if you are willing to flog them on the internet surplus rifle sites. And many of them WOULD be shot if they are in shooting condition--there are plenty of guys who load and shoot these kinds of rifles. The wierder it is, the more some guys like to shoot it!

Get a loan from your Aunt Martha; she'll get her money back and you'll have a great deal of fun and get at least a couple of shooters to remember the deal by!!!! Make sure to get any ammo or accessories he's also got; sometimes they are worth as much as the guns.....