ANTIQUE
WARES PURCHASING
WARNING
|
Some Historical Societies, State
Historical Sales, or Estate Sales
showing items being sold may be
misleading in their advertising in
some cases, making one think the
articles listed are from that estate
only. When in truth they may have
been accumulated from several
locations, brought to one different
location, and offered as part of the
current sale. This is found in many
of the older sales held in the past
century. Always make your purchases
with this in mind. |
|
We lived by the
National Rifle Association Guidelines
NRA CONDITION STANDARDS FOR ANTIQUE FIREARMS:
FACTORY NEW:
All
original parts; 100% original finish; in perfect
condition in every respect, inside and out.
EXCELLENT: All
original parts; over 80% original finish; sharp
lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood;
unmarred wood; fine bore.
FINE: All
original parts; over 30% original finish; sharp
lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; minor
marks in wood; good bore.
VERY GOOD: All
original parts; none to 30% original finish; original
metal surfaces smooth with all edges sharp; clear
lettering, numerals and design on metal; wood slightly
scratched or bruised; bore disregarded for collectors
firearms.
GOOD: Some
minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or
lightly pitted in places, cleaned or re-blued; principal
letters, numerals and design on metal legible; wood
refinished, scratched bruised or minor cracks repaired;
in good working order.
FAIR: Some
major parts replaced; minor replacement parts may be
required; metal rusted, may be lightly pitted all over,
vigorously cleaned or re-blued; rounded edges of metal
and wood; principal lettering, numerals and design on
metal partly obliterated; wood scratched, bruised,
cracked or repaired where broken; in fair working order
or can be easily repaired and placed in working order.
POOR: Major
and minor parts replaced; major replacement parts
required and extensive restoration needed; metal deeply
pitted; principal lettering, numerals and design
obliterated, wood badly scratched, bruised, cracked or
broken; mechanically inoperative; generally undesirable
as a collector's firearm.
NRA CONDITION
STANDARDS FOR MODERN FIREARMS:
NEW: Not
previously sold at retail, in same condition as
current factory production.
PERFECT: In
New condition in every respect.
EXCELLENT: New
condition, used but little, no noticeable marring of
wood or metal, bluing perfect, (except at muzzle or
sharp edges).
VERY GOOD: In
perfect working condition, no appreciable wear on
working surfaces, no corrosion or pitting, only
minor surface dents or scratches.
GOOD: In
safe working condition, minor wear on working
surfaces, no broken parts, no corrosion or pitting
that will interfere with proper functioning.
FAIR: In
safe working condition but well worn, perhaps
requiring replacement of minor parts or adjustments
which should be indicated in advertisement, no rust,
but may have corrosion pits which do not render
article unsafe or inoperable.
