Gun - what is it worth???

I saw stuck in the back of a closet of a house I just bought a long 6 foot gun identified as 14th century Chinesse made - earliest hand made. Has very solid petina and beautiful iron carvings. looks museum quality

ballpark???

 

I have a hard time believing it is authentic. Just have it appraised.

 

Here's some info on the gun.

I looked for a price on it but considering that it may be 700-800 years old, I don't think there are too many of them left around.

 

I would need a few photos esp anything with any markings on it.

Plus, would the Chinese be even making rifles in the 1500s??

 

Forgot the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huolongjing

 

OK (VERY RICH) boys and girls......

2008
-750 (in the middle)
____
1500?

 

does it have a cord hanging out of the bottom and can a light bulb screw into the barrel?

 

I'm going over tonight to take pictures and will post. I bought a residential condo of someone that died - bought the whole thing, lock stock and barrel because family needed money asap. I've purchased a lot of furniture antiques - those I know about and don't need help, even bought a Mercedes in the garage. However, the rifle - I know nothing about. It is a matchlock and I can tell this is NOT a reproduction but appears to be authentic. It has a newspaper article w/ it that speaks of this early firearm and that is all I have other than it has a card that says 14th century Chinese -one of the earliest made.

Maybe a $500 gun maybe $5,000 - I simply do not know - but will post pics in a couple hours.

 

Pics will def. help..

 

what I have so far - sorry not great but just got in this evening to shoot pictures of everything - its a starting point.
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last one: note - this was attached.
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Wow that thing is long. If its real I would suspect that its worth allot. I would take it to a professional, and put it somewhere safe and secure.

 

Hey lets do an online ferrari chat auction for it.. Like Roycats exotics.. That will put it right on the money

I'll give $200, do I hear 300? ??

 

I appreciate the tongue-in-cheek "lock stock and barrel" aside.

That is a Hong Kong Long Dong Wong Love Gun

 

here is another neat item - card says 1600s - it is the size of a brief case
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He said it was 14th century (which correlates to the 1300's)
2008-700=1308

 

hmmmm....google doesn't recognize that....maybe sotherby's will.

 

Oh my.

the value.

the value.......

 

right - Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) Chinese Matchlock Firearms
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note the gun I'm showing resembles the top picture where the butt is long and narrow.

 

I bet the Frazier Historical Arms Museum down on Main Street might be able to give you a pretty good Idea what you have. They might even want to buy it from you.

 

great idea - I know the director but couldn't reach him friday from the office.

 

anyone?

 

i have books on top of book related to firearms as i grew up before the internet age. anyway, if and this is a big if, it is real, and from the the Ming Dynasty, it could be extremely valuable. these match locks were used only by the Royal family, and only for special occasions and ceremonies. they were kept put away most of the time, and from what i read were used more for noise and fire /smoke, than to fire a projectile.

my biggest question is why was it left behind if it was genuine and valuable, unless you inherited the house, and did not buy it as an investment. none of my business, but don't get too excited until you can put it in the hands on an expert.

i bet you could call the Examiners branch of the ATF in Virginia, and they could give you an Experts name and number. i deal with AFT directly with my Class III Firearms.

 

Considering it's possible age (and very real possibility of being a reproduction) you will need to put in the actual hands of an expert. There are some extremely good copies of antique weapons out there.

To even make a guess we would need to see some good detailed photos.