1959 belgium light 12 value

[mattmillerrx]

The gun is a 1959 belgium browning light 12 it is in improved cyl.  It has a solid rib, my understanding is it was the first year for the rib.  I think it may be somewhat rare as well because all I have ever seen at the shows has a vented rib.  Metal is in great shape and the wood has several little dings from years of hunting but still looks good I would estimate 90-95%.  It is in perfect mechanical order and shoots very natural.  I see a lot of price variation on these guns at the shows and on gun broker as well.  I have seen from 600 for guns in rough condition up to 1500+ with most around the 800-900 mark.  I like to know what I have and what it is going for but this one has me stumped as I see so much variation in prices on the light 12's

Thanks for you help
MGM

[Graybeard]

I'm not much help on current values but I bought one new in box along about that time and got a nickel in change back from two $100 bills. I'd probably give that much for another one today. 

[mattmillerrx]

I am sure we would all give that for one today.  Now a case of shells is more than half of that.

[Graybeard]

Yup prices have gone outta sight fer shure. I've really not seen any sold in so long I just don't have a handle on recent prices. It just reminded me of that one bought so long ago at such a bargain price. I even remember $2 a box 12 gauge shotshells and buying them at Sears, Roebuck no less.

[dorothy daily]

three years ago i bought one at an estate auction that they claimed less than ten shots fired. 98+ condition,price $550.00 next day forty miles away, at another estate auction ,a 95% gun sold $975.00. I DID NOT BUY THAT GUN. both were round knob stocks.

[mattmillerrx]

The mystery is solved.  This gun was given to my dad to give to me when he was ready for me to have it, years ago.  My uncle had had it after grandpa died and it had not been given to him.  He left it at grandma's during a move and she took it and gave to dad for me.  Dad took it in to a gun smith for a cleaning and put it away.  The smith offered him 1500 bucks for it, dad did not sell saying it wasn't his but have been told it was worth a lot for over twenty years.  I had noticed this, but not thought much of it cause always assumed the gun was as shipped from factory.  Come to find out it has a different barrel on it.  I believe it was changed out buy the gun shop were my grandpa bought it as what was common at the time was full and not improved cylinder.  The shorter improved cylinder barrel has a serial number I have not been able to determine the year yet but am told it is a pre war barrel.  I believe that is what the smith looked up (dad told me he looked it up) and why it had been thought it was worth a lot.  I have looked and looked trying to figure out what would make the gun worth that much and never found anything thing making it worth more than the going rate. 

[Graybeard]

I'd think having a barrel other than what came on it would hurt not help the value. Since it's a family heirloom value seems irrelavant anyway. My light 12 from that same general era came with a 26" IC barrel.

[mattmillerrx]

That's right GB.  But the serial number on the barrel is what has made everyone think it was of value as it is an even earilier one.  My point of wanting to know is, this thing has set in the safe for years cause I thought it was worth to much to take out but now I can use it and not have much to worry about.

[Tiapan64]

I have a Belguim AutoLite 5 Sweet 16 with the vented rib barrel.  Have hunted with it for 30 yrs.  It is in good shape, been taken care of, put up about 3 yrs ago as shells are almost impossible to find.  A gun collector wants to buy it, he asked me the other day if I still had it, says he would give me 2500 for it.....tempted, very tempted, was given to me by my dad for my 15th birthday, it was my grandfathers before that and he bought it and never shot it, I believe he bought it in 1964, at least thats what I think I remember my dad telling me.  It has the 26" vented rib barrel IC.  Has the fancy scrollwork and gold trigger.  From what I gathered, I am the only one to ever chamber a round in it.  Don't hunt quail or dove or pheasant any more so I don't really have a need for it, but it is a birthday present from my father who passed away in 1998.
Probably will keep it.