What is the value of my weapon? How much will the depreciation be in a few years, or will the value even increase? How much do I need to insure my weapon to be adequately covered in case of damage? 

Surely many have asked themselves these questions and found that obtaining a reliable and neutral assessment is not easy. Many factors play a role in this, such as the condition, caliber, etc.
In this article, we want to take a closer look at this topic for hunting repeating rifles that have been on the market for at least 15 years.
 

Since 1999, Dipl. Ing. Ulrich Kastner, author of the former DWJ Market Mirror for hunting, sports, and collector weapons, has been intensively dealing with the topic of data-based valuation of weapons.

After more than 20 years, there is no longer a printed edition of the Market Mirror. Since May 2023, the Market Mirror is available digitally on the new internet platform worldofguns.de. For over 34,800 models from more than 3,170 manufacturers, there are currently not only condition-dependent values but also often a chart showing value development. The data is updated at least 4 times a year. Furthermore, there are already images for 17,500 models and technical data for 18,200 models.

Basics of Valuation

The data is based on the systematic evaluation of realized auction and sales results. The price paid by the buyer is decisive. Auction fees and shipping costs are generally included. Hunting weapons with optics are not considered. This evaluation only includes hunting weapons that are produced in series. Weapons with custom modifications or special engravings, etc., are not taken into account.
In this article, the focus is exclusively on hunting repeating rifles that have been on the market for at least 15 years, whose current value in new condition is at least €1,000, and for which there are sufficient results for a reliable statement.

The following tables indicate the value development indexed. The value indicated in % is the value by which a weapon today is above (>100%) or below (<100%) the value of the weapon about 15 years ago. It should be noted that the statement does not assume a change in condition. 

Here is a concrete example: A Blaser R93 that cost €1,900 in new condition 15 years ago is now worth €2,500 in new condition, which corresponds to 131% of the original value. If the condition has deteriorated somewhat due to use, a slightly lower value should of course be applied.

For all listed models, it can be generally stated that the values develop relatively
consistently upwards or downwards.

Table 1: Top Ten Hunting Repeaters with Positive Value Development

Among the Top Ten, the grip repeater from Sommer & Ockenfuss stands out particularly. This has now also become a sought-after weapon that is interesting for hunting weapon collectors. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that among the Top Ten, there are only German and Austrian manufacturers that have been on the market with their high-quality products for a relatively long time.

Table 2: Bottom Ten Hunting Repeaters with Negative Value Development

Since this article only considers hunting repeaters that are currently in new condition over €1,000, it is not surprising that only companies known for high-quality products are listed here as well. Furthermore, it can be seen that it is mostly about repeaters that have been on the market for a very long time and are no longer produced.

Table 3: Top Ten Detailed Examination for Blaser R93 Variants

Table 3 takes a closer look at the Blaser R93. It is noticeable that the versions popular for daily hunting use show a very good development. Among the Top Ten, 3 representatives from the significantly higher-priced variants are listed (Grand Lux, Luxus, and Attache).

Conclusion

Whether a hunting weapon will have a positive or negative value development with good care cannot be generalized based on the manufacturer; the model also plays a significant role. If the caliber were also included in the evaluation, differences would still be evident here. In general, it can be stated that hunting weapons with a popular caliber show better value development than those with less common calibers. 

This effect is also observed with hunting weapons sold with optics. While the condition of the weapon primarily determines the value development, the age plays a significant role for the optics. Optics that no longer meet today's standards in terms of light intensity and equipment hardly play a role in value, as they are often replaced by the buyer with a modern scope after purchase. However, it also shows that when choosing a weapon, one should not only pay attention to functionality or a low price but, if the budget allows, also opt for a higher-quality weapon for better value retention or potential value increase. 

The most important influencing factor on value is the condition. Good care and gentle handling pay off in any case.