Guys, my mother who has an estate sale business has stumbled on a Beretta Silver Pigeon 12ga that she will be selling.

It's difficult to match up the pictures she sent with some of the Silver Pigeons I've found on the web. I believe it is the 686 model, but the engravings on the action are not pigeons, but instead has the Beretta logo (arrows)engraved. She took it to a gunsmith and he claims that the gun is 98% and that market value is about $1500. That might be the case in Midland, but I'm having my doubts.

I've found the gun on websites in the UK. On those websites they'll list this particular gun as an "entry level" or "Universal" Beretta Silver Pigeon. Can anyone give me an idea of what this gun is worth?

This is what I know. The stock has a pretty nasty scratch in it about the size of a penny. The trigger appears to be gold as well as the lever to open up the action. It has no chokes with it, nor does it have any of the original paperwork or carrying case.

I was thinking of offering $800 for it.

What do you guys think? Below you'll find the link to the UK listing for the gun.

Help is appreciated.

http://www.cheshiregunroom.com/store/GUNS/SHOTGUNS/BERETTA/Beretta-686-Silver-Pigeon-Universal?cPath=247_173_191

[This message has been edited by RightWingConspirator (edited 9/6/2011 11:34a).]

Without much investigating I'd say it's NIB price is around $1800-2000 if I had to guess. LSSR would know best.

DVM

http://www.sportinggun.co.uk/guns/470917/Beretta_Universal_shotgun_review.html

Here is a write-up on the gun. It appears that this model was conceived of a need to offer a less expensive shotgun to the Brits; hence, it is probably not as nice as your traditional Silver Pigeon, but it's probably a little nicer than the Wingmaster I'm rocking today.

The more I think about it, I'm thinking $700 is about all I'd be willing to go on this gun.

I bought one of these from a friend about 10 year back. It was used in very good condition and I paid him $800 which was Collector's offered him for it.

Offer $700 and see what happens. I'd likely be willing to go higher though. Is it no chokes as in 2 in there and no extras or none at all? FWIW, I lost an auction about 5 months ago on a used 686 28ga. My bid was $1,150 and it sold for $1,300

drive on,

I don't know for sure. There are no chokes that I'm aware of that come with the gun (outside of the gun). All I get with the gun is the two-piece gun and a generic carrying case.

It appers to me it's a beretta silver pidgeon I

Call beretta and give them the serial# and see if they can give you a model and a msrp

Cut the msrp in half for a quick sale

Okay, this is what I know.

I have the serial number and I looked it up on Beretta's website.

It was manufactured in 1997. It's a 12GA, 28" barrel, and 3MC - I'm assuming this has something to do with the chokes??

At any rate, it is a Silver Pigeon. My mother spoke with the owner and he flat out will not take anything less than $1,000 for it. It has an actual divot missing from the stock, but it is somewhat small. It has no manuals, no original Beretta case, but the gunsmith puts it at $1500 market value and 98%.

Is a $1000 too much for this gun? What say you, TexAgs?

Serial number is L96566B.

[This message has been edited by RightWingConspirator (edited 9/7/2011 7:14a).]

I bought thus exact gun last year used and paid 1000 for it. The only difference with mine is it came with chokes and an adjustable butt pad. I am very pleased with it, nice but not too nice if ghat makes any sense.

So you felt $1,000 was still good value?

I think it is a fair price for a good solid entry level over under.

How much are the chokes/how hard are they to come by?

A shotgun without chokes is like a drill with one bit

RWC, the gunsmith is way, way overvalued at $1,500. There are two used 686s on gunbroker for $1,000 "buy it now" as we speak. $1,000 is not out of line, but, it's not a deal you can't pass up either. I'm guessing the 3MC is for mobile choke which are less expensive than the optima chokes. You'll probably end up buying extended chokes anyway so I wouldn't worry about the missing ones too much. My SP factory case was crap and I replaced it with an aftermarket O/U case so that's a non-factor in my mind too.

Thanks, guys. This is some good information. I'm going to pass on this gun.

Pass and let them know why their appraisal is wrong and leave it with an offer of $850. They may still call back.