[Lima]

Hello,
I posted these barrels on another forum and 30calmachinegunner directed me over to you folks. I have two NEW original 1919 barrels that I would like to place a realistic value on.

The first barrel is a 1919A4 marked D35233-14-BA. The barrel was taken out of the gauze wrapping so the drawing number could be located. The barrel still has a layer of cosmoline on the exterior, the bore is full of cosmoline and the outer wrapper is present. I assume that it's .30-06.

The second barrel is a 1919A6 chambered in .30-06 marked SAK-7148400-12-66-3351828. It was taken out of its original tube for identification.

Thanks for your time.
-Lima

 

[kkkriverrats]

Barrel info

Don't know what the prices should be but the A4 D35233 is a standard WWII manufacture with revision 14 changes, which makes ia later WWII design manufactured by Buffalo Arms Corp., Buffalo NY

The A6 is a Stellite chamber lined chromed bore and front barrel bearing surface, most likely manufactured 12-66 by SACO in Lowell, MA. The 7148400 is the drawing number/reference number.

They appear to be NOS and those who accumiuate parts or are trying to assemble a correct weapon will be most interested.

What's the story behind this find?

Always amazing to find stuff turning up as NIB after 40 to 65 years!

 

[57Strat]

I'd like to buy the 1919A4 30-06 barrel if you are interested in selling it. Please shoot me an email: [email protected]

 

[Lima]

Barrels......

KKKriverrats,
Thanks for the detailed information. I don't have any of the previous history on these barrels whereabouts. I feel that letting them sit on my shelf isn't doing the person that can use them any good. I would like to get a solid idea of thier value so that I can sell them. I have been e-mailed that the A6 should be between $300-$500 and the A4 around $250.00. Does this sound about right? I have searched the Internet for current pricing but haven't had much luck. Should I list these on one of the firearms auction sights?
-Lima

 

[OldSoldier]

I've paid $95 for new A6 barrels --- in the wrapper. This is low but $125 is a fair price. SARCO has A6 barrels listed for $150. See http://www.sarcoinc.com/1919a4.html. The .30-06 A4 barrels will go for less. Tell me who will pay $300 for an A6 barrel and I have 2 for sale.

 

[57Strat]

A couple of weeks ago a guy here had a stellite and chrome lined A4/M37 30-06 barrel that was new in the wrapper. He put it on Gun Broker. The final bid was $206. Given that your A4 barrel is not stellite or chrome lined and no where near as rare, it's worth a good bit less IMO. Based on the selling price of the M37 barrel, I'd say your NOS stellite/chrome A6 barrel is probably worth about the same amount, about $200. Below is a link to that auction:


Link

 

[moterman2]

A6 barrel

Hi I will give you 125.00 for it if it is as described?
THANKS moterman2

 

[30calmachinegunner]

I am going to have to put my 2 cents worth in on this and please feel free to tell me I am wrong but if a person wants a "new" made A4 30-06 barrel aren't they running close to $200, I believe that's close to what MODEL1 is selling them for, and we are talking an original A4 30-06 barrel, not a newly made one.
The A6 barrels run about the same price from MODEL1 and they are not stellite lined or chromed. I would have to say that would definately add to the value, how much I don't know for sure but it sure does improve the life of the barrel.
I would have to say the prices being offered are on the very low end, maybe he should just list them on ebay.

Please flame away, Brian

 

[kkkriverrats]

End user

Purists abound in this hobby, there is someone out there who WANTS the BA/A4 either for a pristine spare or to complete a build. That guy will pay a premium.

Shooter types, like me, wont pay the premium. My A4/A6 is a mutt, mostly Saginaw, part Izzy, I got it to shoot it, and got hung up on all the esoteric stuff after the fact.

In my humble opinion, the BA is worth more from the purist point of view, it's older, its NIB (more correctly new in the wrapper), still in cosmo or grease, it is from a manufacturer that produced fewer of the 1919's ( and most likely fewer spare barrels) than Saginaw, and you can buy new A6's stellite /chrome all day long.

I'll side with .30 cal if it were mine I would list it on some auction site. Get it out in front of bidders. It's worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it.

 

[Mouse]

For the most part I tend to agree with Brian on this.
The posters statment that he's been told from 300.00 to 500.00 is, well it's high. I can see maybe 300.00 for someone who really wants the A6 but I think the 500.00 is just a pipe dream. (get it? that's a joke there son)
Like he says, put them out there and let the market decide.

 

[Lucky#13]

Well, there is no telling what the market will bear. Up until a year or so ago, USGI 30-06 A4 barrels were pretty common at $75 in excellent condition. That might have stretched closer to $100 at that time for one like yours, just out of the wrap. Now prices are going up, but someone will really have to want a BA barrel to pay more than $150 even now. Retail on excellent used ones is hovering around $95 right now, from what I can see. New made commercially made ones are naturally going to be priced higher than surplus, at this point with the supply still around.

On the SAK A6 barrel, these are not that rare. I have a few. Most I got for $85 from a major vendor from one to three years back. But that was low even then. Now I would bet an average one would start around $150 to $175. Again, the value of yours is largely in the fact that it is new, and you have the original tube. Your market may be more for a collector than a shooter, as kkkriverrats points out.

Certainly, to maximize, you might try an auction site as advised. But whoever gave you those high prices, has no clue about the 1919 market, or has a very wealthy customer base he is thinking of. Neither of your barrels are rare, but they are getting harder to find in the grease. Your average guy just doesn't care about that part.

Little known fact, the last 1919A6s were produced by Saco-Lowell shops, in the 19450s. I am still collecting SAK marked 1919 parts to build one. They are rare, as SAK is better known for production of the M37 tank guns and M14 stuff, as well as .50 cal Browning stuff. Bad news for you is that they made tons of spare barrels, so that is the most common part.

Sorry to be a bubble burster here. But that is my take on the market at present.

 

[Twisted]

So you don't have a ton of gold, just two nice barrels, now how did you come about getting them....yard sale???? or was your great great grand-daddy a armor with John Browning?