Newton Rifles & their value

J

Jay Cutright

New member
I went to a gun auction yesterday & this Newton rifle came up for bid.
It was getting late & they had a little trouble getting a starting bid & it almost got sold (really cheap) to some other feller when I got involved in the bidding. What I can tell you about it:
Its a first model with double set triggers and the usual Newton style take down set up on the floor plate.
The wood is reasonable for a rifle that has been used but it has a crack (piece missing) behind the bolt.
It has a long forearm instead of the usual schnabel type found on most of these rifles & it has a rubber recoil pad that looks as old as the rifle. I thought it would be steel if original but I don't know for sure.
The rifle was rebarreled by H.G. Howe to 7x57 on 7/23/1951 with out reinstalling the original sights. The receiver was drilled , tapped & reblued probly at the same time as the barrel by looking at the finish.
Any idea as to what its worth or who the expert is on these rifles?
 
Of course, there are Newton rifle collectors out there who pay premium prices for original, high-condition rifles. But ones like yours that have been re-blued, rebarreled , have a crack in the stock and maybe a non-original recoil pad are very hard to price. I don't think anyone can tell you the value of this rifle because it varies so much depending on who wants to buy it and what they think it's worth. Check the Blue Book for original Newton rifle prices in the condition of yours and cut those prices in half or by 2/3 and you'll have a very crude starting point.
 
I already did that & I know I'll come out alright on it if I decide to sell it (provided I can find a buyer) but I was thinking about fixing the stock & maybe improving the chamber & taking the thing hunting some day just for the fun of it.
I just hate to do that with out a little research first because I know there is loyal following of these rifles & if some one wants it bad enough I'll add it to their collection & take one of my old Winchesters hunting instead.
Who is the best source of information & were is the best market?
 
Internet Firearm Sales

Good idea to take it hunting--it's a great, old, time-tested cartridge (7x57)--but if you decide to sell it...

A lot of guns get sold these days on www.Gunsamerica.com (not an auction) and www.Gunbroker.com (an auction site).
 
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