Straight shooter: 5 fascinating vintage firearm appraisals from our gun expert

Firearms expert Dave Anderson appraises your vintage guns & ammo, including three fascinating shotguns, and a very unusual 19th century smoothbore

Whether you have a question about antique guns, modern firearms, ammunition or reloading, expert Dave Anderson is here with the answer. Please send your detailed questions and applicable, high-resolution photos to editorial@outdoorcanada.ca. 

I’m wondering what a realistic price would be for this Winchester Model 1901 lever action 10-gauge (above). It’s in very good condition. I obtained it from a good friend and old marine engineering teacher of mine from Cape Breton.

CLARENCE JR. GERMAN

METEGHAN RIVER, NOVA SCOTIA

The 1901 shotgun was similar to the earlier Model 1887, but strengthened with a different steel and heat treatment to handle smokeless powder. It was made from 1901 to 1920, with a total production of approximately 13,500 guns. From what I can see in the photos, your 1901 appears to be in very good condition. I’m sure it would be of interest to Winchester collectors, so I suggest you get a factory letter from the Cody Firearms Museum, which would help to sell the gun (you can order the letter online for US$75 from www.centreofthewest.org.) At a Canadian firearms auction, I’d expect your 1901 to bring in $2,000 to $2,500, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it got into the $3,000-range.