Quackenbush - thoughts please

[Mattnall]

Whilst going through an estate of a friend's father we came across an old Quackenbush 22LR rifle similar to the one in the picture below. I haven't seen one of these for many years and have no idea of its worth.



It shoots OK (not too accurate but nonetheless it goes bang and the shot placement is fairly predictable) but the cosmetic condition is a little tired as befits something over 100 years old. It chambers and extracts as it should and is marked as "Buffalo Bill Rifle".

He was wondering if it was worth anything and should be sold as part of the estate 'as is' (popular opinion online has it worth more to a collector unrestored) or whether to refinish it and keep it as a memento.
I have searched Quackenbush (an interesting character by all accounts) and found prices in the States where these rifles are quite collectable, but can find no mention of it in the UK.
I'll try to get some pictures up soon.
Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

[dromia]

As is!

[ovenpaa]

What a lovely find, some more pictures would be great and I agree with Adam, leave it exactly as it is.

[saddler]

Best left well alone or you'll kill any future collector value/interest.

[Christel]

About 100 years old, nice old lady :)

I'd say around the 300-400 mark.

Is it a take down?

Wood might be a newer addition?

[Sim G]

What's collectible in the US does not necessarily equate to the UK, particularly with our licensing system. Prices up to $500 can be found searching the net, but, most around the 2-300.

Age doesn't equate to value either. There are a number of factors including condition, special editions, rarity and most importantly, desireability. But one of the main factors is can it still be used. Obviously, this one can. And Numrich have a couple of pages of spare parts available, but good luck trying to get them to post any now.....

If your friend is into his guns, it's got to be worth keeping for nostalgia. Cold hard cash value though, I would think 100 to 150 quid.

[Sim G]

Oh, and Quakenbush stopped making guns sometime before the Second World War. Made .50 cal ammunition during the war and I think, they are still in business making nutcrackers!

[meles meles]

What sorts of nuts grow on a Quakenbush ?

And has anybody told Moses about the Quakenbush ?

[Mattnall]

Managed to get a few pictures, apologies for the quality but the lighting is not the best for pictures in the workshop and it's dark outside

As you can see the finish is not too good but not so bad I would want to do anything with it. The stock is solid just the varnish has some issues
It shoots as well as the sights allow at 25yds and there is no recoil, I guess from the really heavy construction - at first I actually thought the first round may not have gone all the way to the end of the barrel

[Sim G]

Found one here that seems on par with your friends rifle. Sold at Holts for £125.

http://auctions.holtsauctioneers.com/mo ... o=+++88377