American Eagle value
 

I have a friend who is going to sell his AE, and I don't have one and am contemplating buying it. He rates the bluing at around 60%. He wants $1500 for it. My big question is if that is a fair price if all things are right with it. I know it is hard to say without seing pictures, but I am going to see it Friday. Thanks for any help you may give me.
Dave

Is it a 1900 or a 1906? A lot has to do with the overall appearance of the gun and matching parts. It would be a pretty good deal for an all matching smooth 1900 with reasonable grips. If it is all pitted with bunged up grips or a bunch of mis-matched parts, then that is a lot to pay for a junker, either a 1900 or a 1906.

Thanks for the info. I'm not sure which model it is and I know more info is needed, but I was wondering about a good gun with that much bluing loss, if in great shape other than that, would it still be worth it more or less. I'll know which model tomorrow.
Dave

I'll go out on a limb and say that if the gun is a nice piece, matching, not pitted, etc. but with 40% bluing loss, $1500 is not bad. 1900 and 1906 models are simply worth more in this market. Hopefully, in 10 years you'll wish you'd have bought a truck load of them at that money.
DJU

I am reading up on them, but what parts should be numbered? Are they numbered like military or commercial?
Dave

Commercial

Update on the AE. It was more like 40% bluing. The grips were original and numbered to gun, but really worn down. It was pretty sticky acting to **** it, etc. It was a 1900 model. I decided to wait for a better example. I think it might be wiser to spend a bit more and have something one won't have to apologize for each time he shows it.
Dave

Do you remember the ser# on it? John

Probably not a bad idea to go with your gut feelings on it. Unfortunately, my gut is stuck in "buy it" mode.
DJU

Some pertinent advise for life: when in doubt, don't. TH

John, I think it was 78XX ??-can't remember for sure, but I know it was 7000 series.
Dave

Have some pictures of the gun?

I don't have pictures. It was more like a dull nickel gun. The eagle was hard to see with no contrast.

Nickel gun? I think it's right to bypass this one. It's not easy to find an excellent 1900 -- I have never seen one in a dozen or so local stores that I scan regularly in a few years.