USPAP-compliant appraisals by best-in-class appraisers
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Joe Kattan
Anne Hay, ISA AM
Jason Dolph, CAGA
Ashley Innes, ISA AM
Aron Blue
About AppraiseItNow's Gun Appraisal Services
AppraiseItNow provides professional firearm appraisals for insurance coverage, estate tax reporting, charitable donations, divorce proceedings, and probate. Whether you own a single heirloom rifle or a curated collection of antique pistols, our appraisers deliver accurate, documented valuations that satisfy the requirements of the IRS, insurance carriers, and courts. Our mission is to deliver defensible, USPAP-compliant valuations with exceptional speed, professionalism, and client service.
Gun appraisals are conducted for individual collectors, estates, attorneys, CPAs, firearms dealers, and families navigating inheritance or asset division, as a specialized subset of professional personal property valuations. Most firearm appraisals can be completed remotely using photographs, serial numbers, and supporting documentation, though onsite inspection may be required for large collections, rare pieces, or situations where condition verification is critical to value. We offer Fair Market Value (FMV), Replacement Value, and Actual Cash Value (ACV) appraisals for various intended uses.
What Types of Guns Do We Appraise?
AppraiseItNow appraises a wide range of firearms and related items, including both modern production guns and historically significant pieces:
- Antique and collectible firearms (pre-1899 manufacture)
- Curio and relic (C&R) eligible firearms
- Shotguns, including side-by-side and over-under configurations
- Bolt-action, lever-action, and semi-automatic rifles
- Revolvers and semi-automatic pistols
- Military surplus and war-era firearms
- Custom and engraved firearms with artisan modifications
- Commemorative and limited-edition production firearms
- Suppressor-equipped or NFA-regulated firearms
- Firearm collections appraised as a whole or individually
Who Does AppraiseItNow Serve?
AppraiseItNow serves individual collectors, hunters, sport shooters, and families managing estates, as well as attorneys, CPAs, and estate administrators who need independent firearm valuations for legal, tax, or insurance purposes.
How much does a Gun appraisal cost?
Appraisal Type
Standard Fee Range
Pricing By Volume
What Drives Cost?
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How our Valuation Process Works
Written USPAP-compliant personal property appraisals for when defensibility matters.
Given the USPAP-compliant nature of AppraiseItNow’s appraisal reports, we prepare our deliverables for major legal, tax, and financial reporting purposes for individual and commercial clients.
Popular uses of our appraisal reports include:
Taxes, Estates & Financial Planning
- Gift Tax - IRS Form 709
- Estate Tax - IRS Form 706
- Charitable Donations - IRS Form 8283
- Estate planning, equitable distribution, and probate
- Loan Purposes
Life Events & Special Circumstances
- Divorce
- Social Security reporting or Medicaid Application Filings
- E-2 visa applications
Insurance & Risk Management
- Insurance coverage
- Insurance claims
- Third-party & legal damage claims
What types of guns does AppraiseItNow appraise?
AppraiseItNow appraises a wide range of firearms and related items, from modern production pistols and rifles to antique and collectible guns. Our appraisers handle:
- Handguns, revolvers, and semi-automatic pistols
- Rifles, shotguns, and lever-action firearms
- Antique and curio firearms, including pre-1899 production pieces
- Military surplus and historically significant arms
- NFA-regulated items such as suppressors and short-barreled rifles
- Accessories including scopes, holsters, and original factory boxes
Are your gun appraisals USPAP-compliant?
Yes. All gun appraisals prepared by AppraiseItNow follow USPAP Standards 7 and 8, which govern the development and reporting of personal property appraisals, including firearms. Standard 7 requires clear identification of the property, scope of work, and valuation methodology, while Standard 8 mandates a signed certification and full disclosure of assumptions and limiting conditions. Our reports are defensible for IRS filings, insurance purposes, legal proceedings, and estate administration.
What are common reasons someone needs a gun appraisal?
There are many situations where a professional firearm appraisal is necessary or strongly advisable, including:
- Charitable donations of firearms valued over $5,000, which require a qualified appraisal and IRS Form 8283
- Estate settlement and probate, where accurate values are needed for equitable distribution
- Estate tax filings on Form 706 for gross estates exceeding the federal threshold
- Insurance coverage to establish replacement value for scheduled items
- Divorce proceedings requiring fair market value for equitable division
- Liquidation planning, where a marketable cash value is needed for a quick sale
Can you appraise guns in poor condition, with unknown provenance, or with limited documentation?
Yes. Appraisers use the Blue Book of Gun Values and the Photo Percentage Grading System to assign a condition grade regardless of whether documentation exists, making it possible to value firearms even when provenance is incomplete. Serial number verification and physical inspection of the bore, barrel, stock, and metal finish allow appraisers to establish a defensible value based on observable characteristics. If provenance is unknown, the appraiser will note that limitation in the report and adjust the valuation accordingly.
Can you appraise large collections or multiple firearms?
Yes. AppraiseItNow regularly appraises small collections, large estates, and everything in between. Whether you have a handful of inherited firearms or a collection of 50 or more pieces, we offer volume pricing and can coordinate the scope of work to cover each item individually within a single report or set of reports.
Do you provide online or remote gun appraisals?
Most gun appraisals are completed remotely using photographs, serial numbers, and supporting documentation you provide. For larger collections or situations where a hands-on inspection is required by scope or complexity, we can coordinate an in-person appraiser anywhere in the United States. Remote appraisals are efficient, secure, and produce the same USPAP-compliant reports as onsite inspections.
How much does a gun appraisal cost?
Gun appraisal fees depend on the number of firearms, the purpose of the appraisal, and the complexity of the collection. Standard appraisals for insurance coverage, personal use, probate, and estate distribution start at $195, while advanced appraisals for charitable donations, estate tax, divorce, and legal proceedings start at $295. Volume pricing is available for collections of any size:
- 1 item: $195 to $495
- 10 items: $695 to $1,200
- 50 to 100 or more items: $1,600 to $3,500 or more
Do you offer discounted pricing for large volumes?
Yes. Collection pricing is available for clients with multiple firearms, and the per-item cost decreases as the number of items increases. A collection of 10 firearms is priced between $695 and $1,200, while collections of 50 to 100 or more items are priced between $1,600 and $3,500 or more, representing meaningful savings compared to single-item rates.
How long does a gun appraisal take?
Most remote gun appraisals are completed within 7 to 10 business days from the time all required information and photographs are received. Onsite inspections or larger collections typically take 2 to 3 weeks. Rush service is available for same-day or next-day turnaround upon request, which is useful for time-sensitive legal, insurance, or estate matters.
Who prepares the appraisal report?
Appraisal reports are prepared by credentialed personal property appraisers with specific experience valuing firearms. Each appraiser follows USPAP Standards 7 and 8 and signs a certification with the completed report. If a gunsmith or other specialist is consulted during the appraisal process, that assistance is disclosed in the report as required by USPAP.
Are your appraisers ISA, ASA, or AAA credentialed?
Yes. AppraiseItNow's personal property appraisers hold credentials from recognized bodies including the International Society of Appraisers (ISA) and the American Society of Appraisers (ASA), both of which accredit appraisers covering firearms and related collectibles. These credentials require demonstrated competency, adherence to USPAP, and ongoing education, ensuring that our appraisers meet the qualifications required by the IRS and other authorities.
Do you prepare appraisals for IRS Form 8283 (Noncash Charitable Contributions)?
Yes. When a donated firearm has a fair market value exceeding $5,000, the IRS requires a qualified appraisal completed by a qualified appraiser, attached to Form 8283 Section B. AppraiseItNow prepares these appraisals in full compliance with IRS requirements, including the appraiser's signature on the form. Without a qualifying appraisal, the deduction is at risk of disallowance during an audit.
Do you prepare appraisals for IRS Form 706 (Estate Tax)?
Yes. When a decedent's gross estate exceeds the federal exemption threshold, all firearms in the estate must be valued at fair market value for Form 706. AppraiseItNow prepares USPAP-compliant estate tax appraisals that document each firearm's condition, provenance, and market comparables in a format accepted by the IRS. These reports support executors, estate attorneys, and CPAs in completing accurate and defensible tax filings.
Do you buy, sell, or broker guns?
No. AppraiseItNow is an independent appraisal firm and does not buy, sell, or broker firearms. This independence is essential to producing unbiased, defensible valuations that are accepted by the IRS, insurers, courts, and other parties. If you need assistance finding a buyer or dealer after your appraisal is complete, we are happy to point you toward appropriate resources.
What information do you need to get started?
To begin a gun appraisal, it helps to provide as much of the following as possible:
- Make, model, and serial number for each firearm
- Clear photographs of the overall gun, action, bore, stock, and any markings or engravings
- Any documentation of provenance, purchase receipts, or prior appraisals
- Information about accessories included, such as scopes, holsters, or original boxes
- The purpose of the appraisal, such as insurance, estate, donation, or divorce
- Any known history of modifications or repairs
Can AppraiseItNow appraise guns located anywhere in the U.S.?
Yes. Remote appraisals are available to clients in all 50 states, and the process can be completed entirely online using photographs and documentation. For larger estates, significant collections, or situations requiring physical inspection, we can coordinate an in-person appraiser in any state. There is no geographic limitation on our services.
Will my appraisal be accepted by the IRS, insurers, or courts?
AppraiseItNow's gun appraisals are prepared in compliance with USPAP Standards 7 and 8 and meet the IRS definition of a qualified appraisal prepared by a qualified appraiser. Our reports include all required disclosures, certifications, and supporting market data, making them suitable for IRS Form 8283, Form 706, insurance claims, divorce proceedings, and litigation. The defensibility of our reports is grounded in documented methodologies, credentialed appraisers, and recognized data sources such as the Blue Book of Gun Values and auction records.
Does the condition grading system used in the appraisal affect my IRS deduction or insurance payout?
Yes, and the choice of grading system matters significantly. AppraiseItNow appraisers use the Photo Percentage Grading System from the Blue Book of Gun Values rather than subjective NRA grade labels like "Very Good," because PPGS produces a numeric score, such as 85% or 95%, that is directly tied to documented market comparables. The NRA system is known to overvalue firearms by 20 to 30% in some cases, which can trigger IRS scrutiny or result in an insurance settlement dispute if the stated condition cannot be substantiated. A PPGS-based appraisal provides a more defensible foundation for any official purpose.
How do aftermarket modifications or custom upgrades affect a gun's appraised value?
Custom modifications, such as aftermarket triggers, grips, or optics, do not automatically increase a firearm's fair market value and can actually reduce it if the changes are not factory-documented. The IRS requires that appraisers disclose modifications and assess whether they add or detract from value relative to a comparable unmodified example. Guns with original matching serial numbers on the frame and slide, by contrast, can carry a premium of 50 to 200% over modified counterparts, particularly for collectible or antique pieces where originality is a primary value driver.
Are NFA-regulated firearms such as suppressors and short-barreled rifles appraised differently?
NFA items require additional consideration because their transferability is restricted by federal law, which directly affects their marketable cash value and fair market value. The pool of eligible buyers is limited to those who can pass ATF background checks and pay the transfer tax, which compresses the market and must be reflected in the valuation methodology. AppraiseItNow appraisers account for these regulatory constraints and can provide dual valuations showing both fair market value for tax and estate purposes and a marketable cash value representing what the item would realistically bring in a compliant sale.
APPRAISEITNOW APPRAISERS ARE BEST-IN-CLASS & CREDENTIALED BY LEADING APPRAISAL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE ISA, ASA, & MORE.
