Grading Criteria

The older NRA modern condition descriptions relied upon adjectives such as “Excellent” or “Fair” – has served the firearms community for many years. However, many of today’s dealers/collectors, especially those who deal in modern guns, have turned away from the older subjective system. There is too much variance within some of the older subjective grades, therefore making accurate grading difficult.

Most dealers and collectors are now utilizing what is essentially an objective method for deciding the condition of a gun: THE PERCENTAGE OF ORIGINAL FACTORY FINISH(ES) REMAINING ON THE GUN. After looking critically at a variety of firearms and carefully studying the Photo Percentage Grading System™, it will soon become evident if a specific gun has 98%, 90%, 70% or less finish remaining. Remember, sometimes an older unfired gun described as NIB can actually be 98% or less condition, simply because of the wear accumulated by taking it in and out of the box and excessive handling. Commemoratives are especially prone to this problem. Of course, factors such as quality of finish(es), engraving (and other embellishments), special orders/features, historical significance and/or provenance, etc. can and do affect prices immensely. Also, it seems that every year bore condition (especially on antiques) becomes more important in the overall grading factor (and price) of both collectible and desirable major trademarks such as Winchester, Remington, Sharps, Scheutrens, older Springfields, etc. Because of this, bore condition must be listed separately for those guns where it makes a difference in value. Never pay a premium for condition that isn’t there. Remember, original condition still beats everything else to the bank.

Every gun’s unique condition factor – and therefore the price – is best determined by the percentage of original finish(es) remaining, with the key consideration being the overall frame/receiver finish. The key word here is “original”, for if anyone other than the factory has refinished the gun, its value as a collector’s item has been diminished. The exceptions would be rare and historical guns that have been properly restored. Every year, top quality restorations have become more accepted, and prices have gone up proportionately with the quality of the workmanship. Also popular now are antique finished, and a new question has come up, “What is 100% antique finish on new reproductions?” Answer – a gun started out as new, and then the gun has been aged to a lower condition factor to duplicate natural wear and tear.

The PPGS is also available online at no charge and contains even more examples of condition factors than those printed in this edition. Simply visit www.bluebookinc.com and click on Firearms Grading under the Firearms tab. Note where the finishes of a firearm typically wear off first. These are usually places where the gun accumulates wear from the holster/case rubbing, and contact with the hands or body over an extended period of time. A variety of firearms have been shown in four-color to guarantee that your “sampling size” for observing finished with their correct colors is as diversified as possible.

It should be noted that the older a collectible firearm is, the smaller the percentage of original finish one can expect to find. Some very old and/or very rare firearms are sought by collectors in almost any condition!

Converting from this grading system to percentages can now be done accurately. Remember the price is wrong if the condition factor isn’t right!

Photo Percentage Grading System Conversion Guidelines

New/Perfect – 100% condition with or without the box. 100% on currently manufactured firearms assumes NIB (New In Box) condition and not sold previously at retail.

Mint – typically 98%-99% condition with almost no observable wear. Probably sold previously at retail and may have been shot occasionally.

Excellent – 95%+ – 98% condition.

Very Good – 80% – 95% condition (all parts/finish should be original).

Good – 60% – 80% condition (all parts/finish should be original).

Fair – 20% – 60% condition (all parts/finish may or may not be original, but must function properly and shoot).

Poor – under 20% condition (shooting is not a factor).