ashtons99 Posted June 20, 2016 Report Share Posted June 20, 2016 I may be coming into possession of a nice straight hand stock game model from a friend who is retiring from shooting. It's stamped as a Herstal manufactured. 2 questions. Is there any way of dating these guns from serial no or anything else. It has a strange forend action where the forend doesn't remove just slides forward with a locating slide in the bottom of the action. Also the blueing has worn thin on the action, is it possible to get it all renewed or does the wear add to the patina of the gun. I'm guessing a value of £800- £1000 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alycidon Posted June 20, 2016 Report Share Posted June 20, 2016 This is a high quality weapon with the lowest grade of finish. That said it should last several lifetimes. The proof marks can date it for you, others will have more info. Or BROWNING themselves can do it, or this link might give you an idea http://www.johnmbrowningcollection.com/static/?directpage=dategun A gun 100 years old is nothing much to worry about if its in decent condition, its the condition that is the key thing. Guntrader suggests your value is about right if its in decent nick. A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted June 20, 2016 Report Share Posted June 20, 2016 All the blueing can be renewed. It's really up to how you want the gun to look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodeer Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 The value is dropping on those A1's. About 5-7 years ago for a very tidy sporter I was getting £1300 but now less. I was recently offered a 26.5" roach belly for £350 in good condition, but declined. The small calibre versions are worth a bit and exceedingly tidy 30" sporters, and 27.5" game models with single triggers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul1440 Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 (edited) Unfortunately (or fortunately) for those of us ghat appreciate them it seems to be that the values of B25s is dropping. Talking to a dealer it seemd that new shooters want new guns. Multichokes and Steel proof thrown in plus the ownership of something new is swinging what people are decoding to buy. Any gun made from 1961 to 1976 should be easy to date. For a 12 bore the serial number will dnd with S1 (1961) through to S8 (1968) From 1969 they used S69 to S76. Tthe "S" =12 bore. "V"=20 bore. Afer that they use and still do use the current Browning/Miroku date letters in the middle of the serial number. For pre 60s there are lists out there which gives serial number ranges produced per year. They are listed in the Ned Schwing book (very expensive) and online if you Google them. Edited June 21, 2016 by Paul1440 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B25Modelman Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 (edited) The value is dropping on those A1's. About 5-7 years ago for a very tidy sporter I was getting £1300 but now less. I was recently offered a 26.5" roach belly for £350 in good condition, but declined. The small calibre versions are worth a bit and exceedingly tidy 30" sporters, and 27.5" game models with single triggers. Well, if I could buy a post 74 (into 80's), round body, 205 Special Sporting in perfect condition, untouched wood and chokes, I would pay £1300 maybe more. They are worth it when you compare their build quality to current guns. As I have said before they are rare in such condition. Edited June 21, 2016 by B25Modelman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodeer Posted June 21, 2016 Report Share Posted June 21, 2016 Well, if I could buy a post 74 (into 80's), round body, 205 Special Sporting in perfect condition, untouched wood and chokes, I would pay £1300 maybe more. They are worth it when you compare their build quality to current guns. As I have said before they are rare in such condition. You don't have to till me, I'm a big B25 fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B25Modelman Posted June 22, 2016 Report Share Posted June 22, 2016 (edited) You don't have to till me, I'm a big B25 fan. I have sourced a 205 and around 1980. It appears unaltered, is in used but not abused condition. I am waiting additional pics...if they ever come. Well they, 2, came and not all wood shown. It was though a 1977 gun. Edited June 22, 2016 by B25Modelman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buze Posted June 22, 2016 Report Share Posted June 22, 2016 My only gun is a B25 B2C, and I've seen a lot of other guns on the range, and tried quite a few -- it's still a great gun; Had a round a skeet earlier with two other shooters who were drooling over the 1975's B25, even tho one of them had a rather lovely DT10. The only thing, as mentioned by an earlier poster, is that they are not very versatile; that's why I'm looking to buy a 'lesser' gun with a but more versatility, like chokes & steel proof, mostly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B25Modelman Posted June 23, 2016 Report Share Posted June 23, 2016 B*#@;# hopeless, can't get the seller to send me decent pics and can't get a gunsmith to give me a price for overhaul. Obviously they don't need the work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B25Modelman Posted June 24, 2016 Report Share Posted June 24, 2016 (edited) Seller (gunsmith) has stopped corresponding...went to view gun again on web and the price has been increased by 10% Edited June 24, 2016 by B25Modelman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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