1902 fat barrel discovered

maddog350gt · 11-17-2008, 05:04 PM

Wayne, nice find on the Fat Barrel.

I agree with most of the information that the other members have given you, with the exception of the value of restored vs non-restored. I have several restored guns, it's not that I am looking for them, but I am not as adverse to them as some collectors. I have always thought it better to have a restored piece in the collection than no piece in the collection. Value of restored Lugers are very much in the eye of the beholder, but I have always used the 50% rule, i.e. a gun restored to 100% of original finish should be worth about 50% of current Blue Book 98-100% value. As rarity increases so does the percentage of value. I would place the value of a restored Fat Barrel at $7,500 to 8,000 if it is high quality work and not just a re-blue. I think your gun would be a good candidate for restoration if you can get one of the quality restores to handle it.

Just my two cents, oh and by the way, I recently purchased a restored Fat Barrel for $6,000 because I thought it was under valued.

Thanks,
Bob M.

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11-17-2008, 05:04 PM	#11
maddog350gt User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Washougal WA Posts: 170 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Wayne, nice find on the Fat Barrel. I agree with most of the information that the other members have given you, with the exception of the value of restored vs non-restored. I have several restored guns, it's not that I am looking for them, but I am not as adverse to them as some collectors. I have always thought it better to have a restored piece in the collection than no piece in the collection. Value of restored Lugers are very much in the eye of the beholder, but I have always used the 50% rule, i.e. a gun restored to 100% of original finish should be worth about 50% of current Blue Book 98-100% value. As rarity increases so does the percentage of value. I would place the value of a restored Fat Barrel at $7,500 to 8,000 if it is high quality work and not just a re-blue. I think your gun would be a good candidate for restoration if you can get one of the quality restores to handle it. Just my two cents, oh and by the way, I recently purchased a restored Fat Barrel for $6,000 because I thought it was under valued. Thanks, Bob M.