Smith Firearms Consulting was started by Dan Smith to fill a gap in the market: a firearms consultant who works for you, not for profit. Dan spent three decades as a firearms collector (Type III FFL), gun store employee, and private dealer. He's now a Certified Firearms Instructor through the NRA an...
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Full description and what we offer
Smith Firearms Consulting was started by Dan Smith to fill a gap in the market: a firearms consultant who works for you, not for profit. Dan spent three decades as a firearms collector (Type III FFL), gun store employee, and private dealer. He's now a Certified Firearms Instructor through the NRA and brings deep expertise across sporting firearms—though he's always learning.
Professional Firearm Appraisals
Dan conducts thorough, written appraisals that determine fair market value for your collection. His evaluations account for make, model, age, condition, and current market demand. Unlike "free" appraisals from gun stores with profit incentives, Dan's detailed assessments empower you to negotiate fairly or document your collection accurately.
His methodology: - Uses comparable sales from internet auction sites - References Blue Book values and collector associations - Applies the percentage condition scale from Fielstad's Blue Book—more precise than vague terms like "good" or "excellent" - Focuses on accurate condition assessment, which is key to determining value
NRA Firearms Training
Certified instruction covering firearm safety, handling, and shooting fundamentals.
| Reason | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Insurance Coverage | Most homeowners/renters policies cap firearms coverage far below actual value. Appraisals let you add riders for full replacement value. |
| Estate Planning | Ensure fair distribution among heirs and provide documented values for probate courts. |
| Buying/Selling/Trading | Know true market value before negotiations. Gun stores typically offer 60-70% of already-discounted appraisals; national venues often yield higher returns. |
| Personal Knowledge | Understand the history, rarity, and craftsmanship of firearms in your collection. |
Appraisals aren't just for rare or antique guns. Modern and mass-produced firearms hold significant value and benefit from professional evaluation. The cost is usually far less than potential losses from being underinsured or selling below fair market value.
Gun stores provide "free" appraisals as part of purchase offers—they know only local market prices and often discount heavily to boost profits. Dan operates independently. He researches national sales venues and provides impartial professional opinions you can use as benchmarks in any transaction.
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