Black Powder

We are occasionally offered black powder replicas in pawn.

My first instinct is that they are the old late 70′s CVA / Jukar kits or their equivalent and have no great value. As a general rule I’m right, but sometimes this is a mistake.

Case in point:

This replica pistol goes for $299 on Militaryheritage.com.

Rifles generally go for even more, with some brands running over $1000.

Most of the owners of these weapons honestly believe that they are true antiques. Disproving this can be difficult, but with the use of the markings on the weapon, and the internet, many times you can (gently)explain to the customer that they are replicas.

On the other hand you sometimes are offered a genuine antique pistol or rifle and then you get to jump through hoops to try and determine the value.