Broomhandle Mauser - How do I sell it legally?

[CaptCBoard]

I have a stock, 9mm Broomhandle Mauser. Extremely clean. This gun has no indication that it has ever been fired. Wood grips.

Two questions:

How much is it worth?

How do I sell it if someone here wants to buy it?

I know nothing about guns or how they are sold these days. I got this back in the 1980's and its been in a case ever since.

Please email me or answer here. Do not PM me. Thanks!

Scott
CaptCBoard@AOL.com

 

[Blackbirdcd]

You're going to probably have to consult your local gun dealer about sales rules in California. It's a state that has some of the tightest controls on such a transaction.

In short, though, you can sell it as you would any other item - as long as you have a registered firearms dealer (FFL) do the paperwork for you and the person you're selling to. Most stores have the capacity to do this as well.

Also you can look to the following websites if you wish to sell online:
http://www.gunsamerica.com
http://www.gunbroker.com

A cursory glance should give you an idea of what to charge. Good luck!

 

[Boba Debt]

If that's a real gun, it's a curio and would not fall under the same restrictions as most hand guns.

 

[TheDoctor]

What happens is this:
I send you $100 "to get you through a tough spot". Then, a few months later, you send me the Mauser "because you were cleaning out the attic and thought I might like it".

Seriously though, I have no except to suggest perhaps a military antique store, or, failing that, a local VW group that might be able to point you to collectors. I met a guy through the local Game store who knows all about WWI / WW2 military stuff. I would hazard a guess you would get more from them then you would a gun store.

 

[TridCloudwalker]

That hunk of junk is over 60 years old. I'll take it off your hands for you.

 

[kmcmillin]

It depends where you live:

If you are in a commie state like Ca or NY then you can only sell it by going through a federal firearms licsense holder. You find your buyer, you both go to the FFL (In CA the FFL holds the gun for 10 days while paperwork is processed.) Then the buyer can pick it up. Of course this costs $$.

In a free state, like Wyoming, Nevada, or Arizona: You find your buyer, agree on a price. He gives you money, you give him gun. Transaction finished.

There are also very specific laws about who can mail guns. Also out of state transactions must be handled through FFL holders on both ends.

It's all very complicated. If you live in commie land it might be easiest to sell it to a gun dealer and be done with it.

 

[pennausamike]

Gun transactions have to be dealer-to-dealer to ensure legal compliance.
The "curio" status mentioned above CAN apply to pre-1898 long arms (shotguns and rifles) but I think with any pistol that fires a metallic cartridge, you're treading on different ground. (Ex.: an 1873 Colt single action revolver)

I'm sure if you try to sell it out of your own state and then "mail" it (USPS, UPS, FedEx) to the purchaser, you are in violation of a bunch of laws, Federal, state and local.

So your easiest route is to take it to a number of gun dealers and get two values for it.
One: what a dealer will pay you for it, and
Two: what it is "worth" as fair market value.
If what the dealers offer is enough, sell it and you are done.
If you want the higher price and additional work of fair market value, you'll have to advertise it.
If you sell locally, you agree to meet the buyer at a local gun shop and transfer it there.
If you advertise nationally (Gunbroker, Shotgun News, etc.) you'll need an FFL holder local to you to transfer it to an FFL holder local to the purchaser to make the transfer.

Disclaimer: I'm not a resident of CA or a lawyer, so this is a suggestion, not legal advice. I don't know how CA is handling things like waiting periods or local municipality gun bans/ restrictions.

More gun control, just what we need......

 

[pennausamike]

In a free state, like Wyoming, Nevada, or Arizona: You find your buyer, agree on a price. He gives you money, you give him gun. Transaction finished.

Given the current attitude of legal liability in lawyer-land, I mean the USA, even in the free states a transaction done at a dealer can be a good idea.
If the gun is ever stolen and then used criminally, a dealer-done transfer insures that the trail of legal responsibility doesn't some how lead to the previous owner.

Once again, just a suggestion...

 

[101radioman]

Well usually if the sale is within the same state you can transfer it person to person like any other sale of good. I say usually here always check state law.

If selling ro a party in another state you have to go through a dealer. What usually happens say your selling to me in minnesota. I would give you the name of a dealer here, you go to a gun shop there and have then transfer to my dealer here. it usually ends up costing the parties 20 to whatever the dealers want to charge for the transfer. (I have heard it can go as high as 200 someplaces so shop around)

 

[wamser_e]

I have an 03 FFL (Curio and Relic license). If it was indeed made before 1/1/1899(actual manf. date not model designation) it is considered by both CA and Federal law as an antique and can be sold without using a dealer. Also, if it is truly a pre 1899 C96 mauser, you have a gun probably worth over $10K. Be aware there are fakes out there and guns that have been re-arsenal'd which will obviously affect value.

NOTE: C96's made after 1899 may be considered assault weapons according to CA law since it is a semi-automatic pistol that has the magazine well outside of the handgrip.

Trying to sell a post 1899 C96 in CA could get you in a lot of hot water. Be very careful.

 

[mgoob]

Gunbroker.com, once you register, has a place on their website to find an FFL dealer in your area who can handle the transaction. Find one in your area and phone him up.

As to worth, like said above, just look at http://www.gunbroker.com or http://www.gunsamerica.com/ to get an idea or worth.

Proof marks; import marks; original blue or reblued; barrel condition; matching serial numbers all play into value.

 

[Onigiri]

I deal with the Firing Line in Burbank..give them a call. They are extremely knowledgable about laws as they teach several courses there.

Gunbroker.com, once you register, has a place on their website to find an FFL dealer in your area who can handle the transaction. Find one in your area and phone him up.

As to worth, like said above, just look at http://www.gunbroker.com or http://www.gunsamerica.com/ to get an idea or worth.

Proof marks; import marks; original blue or reblued; barrel condition; matching serial numbers all play into value.