Value of old pistols
Learn what affects old pistol value, including maker, model, serial number, finish, matching parts, provenance, and legal cautions.
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Learn what affects old pistol value, including maker, model, serial number, finish, matching parts, provenance, and legal cautions.
Auction records are market evidence, not a final appraisal. Condition, authenticity, provenance, size, maker, completeness, legality, and demand can materially change value.
Firearms laws vary by jurisdiction. This page is for identification and appraisal triage only, not transfer, possession, shipping, or compliance advice. Review current federal, state, and local requirements and, for federal licensee guidance, see the ATF Federal Firearms Licensee guide.
Quick checklist
- Photograph the full item, maker marks, serials, inscriptions, measurements, materials, accessories, cases, scabbards, labels, and documents.
- Document condition before cleaning: corrosion, sharpening, repairs, missing parts, moth damage, replaced components, fading, holes, and restoration.
- Keep provenance, service records, capture papers, certificates, unit history, receipts, and related groups together.
Note: We couldn’t find enough auction records that directly match Value of old pistols to publish a defensible price table. If you are valuing a specific item, include its maker, model, material, photos, and condition so the search can be narrowed.
What similar items actually sold for
To help ground this guide in real market activity, here are recent example auction comps from Appraisily’s internal database. These matched sales are market context only, not an object estimate or identification, and they do not guarantee a price for your specific pistol.
Shown USD range: USD 300-USD 10,925. Median of these 6 USD examples: USD 475.
| Comparable | What sold | Auction house | Date | Lot | Source-reported amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Carved Flintlock Pistol | Rock Island Auction Company | 2016-12-04 | 3210 | USD 10,925 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
Two Percussion Pistols -A) Engraved Belgian Percussion Pistol | Rock Island Auction Company | 2015-06-27 | 2232 | USD 575 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
Durs Egg Cased Gold Inlaid Dueling Pistol Set | Rock Island Auction Company | 2016-12-03 | 1359 | USD 10,350 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
AN ANTIQUE PISTOL serial number 208389. 29 cm wide. | Hannam's Auctioneers | 2025-05-28 | 415 | GBP 500 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
AN OTTOMAN FLINTLOCK PISTOL | Auctions Imperial LLC | 2015-03-21 | 307 | USD 325 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
PORTUGUESE PERCUSSION PISTOL | Corte Real, Leiloeira | 2020-10-02 | 788 | EUR 50 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
DUELING PISTOL SET, SPAIN 2ND HAL | Historia Auctionata | 2024-11-14 | 4176 | EUR 2,000 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
Venetian (?) dueling pistol 13 1/2"L | Ripley Auctions | 2023-08-31 | 184 | USD 375 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
 |
CMC Double Barrel Snake Eyes .36 Cal Black Powder Percussion Pistol Black-Powder Derringer | Ace Of Estates | 2024-09-08 | 680038 | USD 300 (buyer’s-premium treatment unknown) |
How these auction records were verified
Each row retains its exact source URL, lot identity, retrieval time, access result, and immutable record hash. Inspect the public comparable provenance record.
Disclosure: prices are shown as reported by auction houses and are provided for appraisal context. Learn more in our editorial policy.
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