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 Firearms Appraisal Services
AppraiseItNow provides professional firearms appraisals for estate tax reporting, insurance coverage and claims, charitable donations, divorce proceedings, probate, and private sale or purchase purposes. Firearms present unique valuation challenges due to the interplay of manufacturer, model, caliber, condition, provenance, and legal transferability, all of which require specialized appraiser knowledge to assess accurately. Firearms appraisals are conducted as a specialized subset of professional personal property valuations, and our team applies the same rigorous standards to single firearms and large collections alike. Our mission is to deliver defensible, USPAP-compliant valuations with exceptional speed, professionalism, and client service.
We serve individual collectors, estates, attorneys, CPAs, insurance agents, and financial advisors who require independent, credentialed valuations for legal, tax, or transactional purposes. Most firearms appraisals can be completed remotely using detailed photographs and documentation, though onsite inspections are available and may be warranted for large collections, NFA-regulated items, or high-value antique firearms where hands-on examination is critical to an accurate determination of condition and authenticity. We offer Fair Market Value (FMV), Replacement Value, and Actual Cash Value (ACV) appraisals for various intended uses.
What Types of Firearms Do We Appraise?
AppraiseItNow appraises a wide range of firearms and related items, from modern production guns to historically significant antiques. Our appraisers are equipped to value:
- Antique firearms manufactured before 1899, including flintlock and percussion cap arms
- Collectible revolvers and pistols, including Colt, Smith and Wesson, Luger, and other sought-after manufacturers
- Lever-action, bolt-action, and semi-automatic rifles
- Shotguns, including side-by-side and over-under configurations from makers such as Browning, Beretta, and Purdey
- Military surplus and war-bring-back firearms with documented provenance
- NFA-regulated items including registered machine guns, suppressors, and short-barreled rifles
- Custom and engraved firearms with significant artisan or decorative value
- Firearms collections held in estates or trusts
- Accessories and associated items such as period holsters, bayonets, and original cases that affect overall collection value
Who Does AppraiseItNow Serve?
AppraiseItNow serves individual collectors, hunters, sport shooters, and families managing estates, as well as attorneys, CPAs, trust officers, and insurance professionals who need credentialed, defensible firearms valuations for legal, financial, or coverage purposes.
5-Star Valuation Services, Loved by Hundreds
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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 firearms does AppraiseItNow appraise?
AppraiseItNow appraises a wide range of firearms and related items, from modern handguns and rifles to antique and collectible pieces. Our appraisers handle single firearms as well as entire collections spanning multiple categories, including:
- Handguns, revolvers, and semi-automatic pistols
- Rifles, shotguns, and lever-action firearms
- Antique and curio firearms
- Military surplus and historically significant arms
- Custom or engraved firearms
- Accessories and related memorabilia with appraised value
Are your firearms appraisals USPAP-compliant?
Yes. All AppraiseItNow firearms appraisals are conducted in compliance with USPAP Standards 7 and 8, which govern the development and reporting of personal property appraisals, including collectibles like firearms. Our appraisers document their research methodology directly in the report, as required by USPAP, creating a clear audit trail for IRS review, court proceedings, or insurer scrutiny. This level of compliance distinguishes a professional appraisal from a casual verbal estimate, which is legally insufficient in many contexts.
What are common reasons someone needs a firearms appraisal?
Firearms appraisals are needed in a wide range of legal, financial, and personal situations. Common reasons include:
- Estate settlement and probate court filings requiring equitable distribution among heirs
- IRS estate tax reporting using Form 706
- Charitable donation documentation for IRS Form 8283
- Insurance coverage for high-value collections or scheduled riders
- Divorce proceedings requiring court-ready asset valuations
- Bankruptcy or conservatorship filings
- Damage or loss claims with an insurer
- Pre-sale valuation for informed transaction decisions
Can you appraise firearms in poor condition, with unknown provenance, or with limited documentation?
Yes. Condition is a major factor in firearm valuation, but poor condition does not disqualify a firearm from being appraised. Notably, for collectible firearms, bore condition is often disregarded in the overall assessment, meaning a firearm with a worn bore can still carry significant value based on finish, stock, and originality. Our appraisers work with what is available, documenting make, model, serial number, and all observable condition factors, even when provenance or original paperwork is limited.
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 to 100 or more pieces, we offer volume pricing and can coordinate the appropriate scope of work to cover every item efficiently.
Do you provide online or remote firearms appraisals?
Most firearms appraisals are completed remotely using photographs, documentation, and information provided by the client. For larger collections, estate situations, or cases where a physical inspection is required by scope or complexity, we can coordinate an in-person appraiser anywhere in the United States. Remote appraisals offer the same USPAP-compliant, defensible reports as onsite inspections for the majority of use cases.
How much does a firearms appraisal cost?
Firearms appraisal fees depend on the number of items, 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. Advanced appraisals for charitable donations, estate tax, divorce, insurance claims, and legal proceedings start at $295. Volume pricing by collection size is as follows:
- 1 item: $195 to $495
- 10 items: $695 to $1,200
- 50 to 100 or more items: $1,600 to $3,500 or more
All fees are quoted as a fixed price before work begins.
Do you offer discounted pricing for large volumes?
Yes. AppraiseItNow offers discounted per-item pricing as collection size increases. A single firearm appraisal ranges from $195 to $495, while a collection of 50 to 100 or more items is priced at $1,600 to $3,500 or more, representing meaningful savings compared to per-item rates. Contact us to discuss your collection size and we will provide a fixed quote before any work begins.
How long does a firearms appraisal take?
Most remote firearms appraisals are completed within 7 to 10 business days. Onsite inspections or larger collections typically take 2 to 3 weeks from the time of inspection. Rush service is available for same-day or next-day turnaround upon request, which is useful when appraisals are needed for urgent legal filings, insurance claims, or estate deadlines.
Who prepares the appraisal report?
Appraisal reports are prepared by qualified personal property appraisers with experience valuing firearms and collectible items. Each report is reviewed for USPAP compliance and includes documented research methodology, physical condition notes, and comparable market data supporting the final value conclusion. AppraiseItNow appraisers serve individuals, estates, attorneys, and financial institutions requiring independent, defensible valuations.
Are your appraisers ISA, ASA, or AAA credentialed?
Yes. AppraiseItNow's personal property appraisers include ISA AM (International Society of Appraisers Accredited Member) credentialed professionals, and our team follows the ethical and methodological standards set by leading appraisal organizations including the ASA (American Society of Appraisers). These credentials require ongoing education, adherence to USPAP, and compliance with a professional code of ethics, ensuring your firearms appraisal meets the standards expected by the IRS, courts, and insurers.
Do you prepare appraisals for IRS Form 8283 (Noncash Charitable Contributions)?
Yes. If you are donating firearms to a qualifying organization and claiming a charitable deduction, a qualified written appraisal is required by the IRS to support your Form 8283 filing. AppraiseItNow prepares appraisals that meet IRS requirements for noncash charitable contributions, providing the fair market value documentation needed for your tax filing.
Do you prepare appraisals for IRS Form 706 (Estate Tax)?
Yes. When a firearms collection is part of a taxable estate, a USPAP-compliant appraisal is required to support the values reported on IRS Form 706. AppraiseItNow provides estate tax appraisals that document fair market value as of the date of death, meeting the standards required by the IRS and estate attorneys.
Do you buy, sell, or broker firearms?
No. AppraiseItNow is an independent appraisal firm and does not buy, sell, or broker firearms. This independence is a core requirement of USPAP compliance, and our appraisers are required to disclose any interest in the property being appraised. Our sole role is to provide objective, unbiased valuations you can rely on for legal, tax, and insurance purposes.
What information do you need to get started?
To begin a firearms appraisal, it helps to have the following ready:
- Make, model, and serial number for each firearm
- Photographs from multiple angles, including the bore, finish, and stock
- Any known provenance, purchase records, or prior appraisals
- Documentation of custom modifications or original factory features
- The intended purpose of the appraisal (estate, insurance, donation, divorce, etc.)
- Your preferred turnaround timeline
If you are missing some of this information, our team can guide you on what is needed based on your specific situation.
Can AppraiseItNow appraise firearms located anywhere in the U.S.?
Yes. Remote appraisals are available to clients nationwide, and the majority of firearms appraisals are completed without requiring an in-person visit. For larger collections, complex estates, or situations where a physical inspection is necessary, we can coordinate an in-person appraiser in any state across the country.
Will my appraisal be accepted by the IRS, insurers, or courts?
AppraiseItNow appraisals are USPAP-compliant, prepared by qualified appraisers, and designed to meet the standards required by the IRS, insurance companies, probate courts, and other legal proceedings. Our reports include documented research methodology, condition assessments, and comparable market data, all of which are required for defensible valuations. Verbal estimates or dealer opinions do not meet these standards, and a certified written appraisal is often a legal necessity for probate, tax filings, insurance claims, and divorce proceedings.
What is the difference between fair market value and replacement value for a firearm appraisal, and which one do I need?
Fair market value represents the price a willing buyer and seller would agree on in an open market, based on comparable firearms sold within a reasonable time close to the evaluation date. Replacement value reflects the cost to replace the firearm with one of similar kind and quality at current retail prices, and is typically higher than fair market value. Insurance coverage appraisals generally use replacement value, while estate tax filings, charitable donations, and divorce proceedings require fair market value. Using the wrong value type for your purpose can create tax or legal complications, so it is important to specify your intended use when ordering an appraisal.
Does the condition of a firearm's bore affect its appraised value for collector pieces?
For collectible firearms, bore condition is often disregarded in the overall condition assessment, which is counterintuitive compared to how functional firearms are evaluated. A collectible firearm with a worn bore can still achieve high appraised value if the exterior finish, stock, and original features are in excellent condition. Appraisers using standardized grading methodologies, such as the Photo Percentage Grading System, assess multiple condition factors independently rather than relying on any single attribute to determine value.
Are there specific IRS documentation requirements that a firearms appraisal must meet to be accepted?
Yes. For charitable donations, the IRS requires a qualified written appraisal completed by a qualified appraiser no earlier than 60 days before the donation and no later than the due date of the tax return on which the deduction is claimed. For estate tax purposes under Form 706, the appraisal must reflect fair market value as of the date of death and must be prepared by a qualified appraiser following USPAP standards. USPAP also requires that the appraiser document their research methodology directly in the report, creating an audit trail that supports IRS review. Failing to meet these requirements can result in disallowed deductions or penalties.
APPRAISEITNOW APPRAISERS ARE BEST-IN-CLASS & CREDENTIALED BY LEADING APPRAISAL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE ISA, ASA, & MORE.
