UPS did not find my fathers rifle. I need a price on a Sears J. C. Higgins Model 51 when it was new in 1951, and where I can get my hands on the proof. My mom no longer has the paper work, and UPS is going to give me a hell of a time. [:'(]I can find the current value for the model 52 and 53, but not for the model 51. Thanks in advance.

Ive sent a few guns through ups with no hitches thank god, but a gun dealer friend of mine sends atleast 20 a week through ups you should hear half of his horrors stories. what happens alot from what ive heard is the guns get stolen by employees. I hope they find your gun.

On gunbroker.com they usually go for around 300 to 400 bucks. I doubt that helps any though. good luck I hope you get that settled without tomuch trouble.

i'm having a bit of trouble understanding. do you need the price it sold for back in 1951? or current value?

I had a thought you might try, if its the 1951 value you need, from what I read the model 51 actually didnt come out til 1952 so I would look on ebay and try to find a 1952 sears and roebuck catalog. if its the current value you need I will check with my gun dealer friend see if he knows the value.

ofcourse you do realize current value can vary depending on condition?

I saw an old add some monthsd ago.....IIRC that rifle was advertized at $99 and was a hi priced gun at the time.

I just bought one for a bit under $300....it shoots great!!!!!!!

HiDesertWolf:

I need the price of the rifle from 1951, or even a published modern price. UPSwill not give me any thing unless I can prove the rifles worth.My mom said she just threw away the receipt 3 months ago, and thinks it said $600.00, but I don't know. She said my dad saved a long time to buy the rifle. What I have been able to research, is the Model 50 & 51 were totally manufactured at Fabric National in Belgium; the other J. C. Higgins rifle's actions were made at Fabric National in Belgium, but were assembled in US.

VapoDog:

Do you think you can find that add again?

Thanks.

IIRC it was on the back page of one of the hunting rags.....something like articles from 50 years ago....and there was an old add from J C Higgins

Sorry...not likely that I can find it again

FWIW.....you insured the package for $X.XX amount.......if they lost it and it's insured just go to a small claims court and file a claim in the amount of $X.XX plus filing costs and see what happens.....it's what you insured it for that's important.....not at all what the gun is worth!!!!!

VapoDog:

That is exactly what I am going to have to do. I just have to make sure I have all my ducks in a row. [:@][:@]Thanks.

In that era, a Winchester Model 70 Standard Grade sold for around $125.00. The J.C. Higgins FN Mauser types were no more, generally a little less. There is NO WAY Sears ever sold a rifle for $600.00 in the 1950's!

Nor do they sell for that today.....as good as they are they fetch about $350 or so today.

I've added a M-70 style safety to mine and will send it to you for $450 if you want it.

VapoDog:

Let me see how this law suit turns out. It seems they are going to fight me all the way. Thanks.