Suggestion for selling carbines on auction sites

After spending an enjoyable couple of weeks laughing at, (I mean) looking at a popular gun auction site, I was shocked by the constant number of carbines listed which were clearly stated (or obviously were) as being from CMP. Now this is NOT, repeat NOT, a call for the CMP police to jail and water board these “re-sellers”. Instead I thought I would offer a few suggestions to those who have chosen to put their carbines up for sale. Pay attention now because this may actually help you to make you some money:

1) If you are going to have a starting price of $750 to $800 as a minimum bid, make sure that you can not see the CMP tag that states “RACK” in the picture. It kinda gives away that you are wanting people to pay twice what you just paid for it.

2) When you open up the CMP shipping box to take a picture to post on the auction site, at least wipe off the grease and move the CMP paperwork out of the picture.

3) If you are going to mention that you have the CMP paperwork, make sure you are not asking $900. Again, we all know what you paid for it.

4) Don’t use the words “rare model” to describe an Inland. Oh, and ALL Inlands were WWII models.

5) Best suggestion of the day - Before you set your starting bid or your reserve above, say $800, look at the FOUR (4) pages of carbine listings at $800 that have ZERO bids. If no one is bidding on theirs at high prices, chances are we aren’t going to bid on yours at the same price.

Does anyone else have suggestions they would like to make?

Very good tips! Lots to learn when selling or buying carbines these days.

If I am selling or buying, I always check the "completed auctions" to get an idea on "what's sellin' for what".

As my dad always says: "I don't mind a man making money, just not all of it from me."

AMEN! and thanks. it really needed to be said. Tim

Tired Retired,

You are right on, it is hilarious to read most of these ads. What i dont understand about the carbine world, is why folks regard some of the rarer carbines, like Rockola, that are in mixmaster/rebuilt condition to be so valuable? Nothing against mixmasters(most of mine are), but IMO, the guns are either original or they arent. Once rebuilt, they are all worth about the same to me. On another note, the asking prices for USGI 1911's are even worse!

Amen. I bought a Rock Island GI style 1911A1 to go with my Inland because I don't have any children left to sell to buy an original!

All of the above is true, but isn't there another side to this? You get the CMP mixmaster and take the time and effort to make it as "correct" as your wallet will allow. Some parts are tradable with little outlay while some must be bought, say a bolt for $75 or $100, slide $45, recoil plate $25, or more depending on scarcity. Sometimes a better stock is called for and you know what they go for. Factor in the hours refinishing the stock, hours on the internet trading and shipping and you have put some real effort into it. I have a bunch like this and on those I kept records for, all exceed $700. Yet, there are lots of folks who think they are still only worth about what CMP charged, or like to recall they used to cost $200 back in the 80's. I haven't tried selling on GB but might give it a shot one of these days. I have sold several of these "restored" guns FTF and the buyers were fully aware of what they were getting for $775 (IBM), $800 (NPM) and $900 (pristine Inland). They told me later how pleased they were. But, as pointed out above, the mixmasters on GB, poorly advertised, poor pictures, overpriced, don't usually sell. At least this is my take on it.

Just one comment from me on the "rare" carbines. IF they are rare, prove it. Give the production figure if it is known. AND NOT ALL INLANDS ARE COMMON. Spring tube Inlands are unusual as are X prefix and X suffix Inlands. If you do have a rare one, give it a good description and decent photos. If you don't, don't expect top dollar.

A mixmaster is just that, but some are definitely more valuable than others. It all depends on the "platform" those parts are sitting on.

An early Rock-ola receiver that still has original barrel and front and rear sights is rare and going to be worth a lot of money because of its potential. That action alone is worth more than a complete mixmaster with just an early receiver.

A restored carbine is worth alot because thats what people want, without all the hassle of doing is themselves.

"Original" can be hard to determine, and the word gets tossed around too much. There are likely alot of guns out there that have been "restored" so long ago, that they now look original. And this will happen more as time passes. With use, the internal parts will grow to have common wear and the stock and handguard will aquire the same handling marks.

At some point it will sit in a closet and collect years of dust until one day it transfers hands and the new owner goes home with the biggest grin on his face because he just got a killer deal on an "original" M1 Carbine. :lol:

You say its "original". I say "whatever". Buy it. Shoot it. Buy more. :madsmile: