Gun Grading Standards at AZFirearms.com

AZFirearms / Pot of Gold Auctions Firearm Grading Standards

FACTORY NEW – Original finish, in perfect condition in every respect, inside and out.

LIKE NEW – Shows slight handling marks, may have been fired a few times.

EXCELLENT – All original parts; over 80% original finish; sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; unmarred wood; fine bore.

FINE – All original parts; over 30% original finish; sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal and wood; minor marks in wood, good bore.

VERY GOOD – All original parts; none to 30% original finish; original metal surfaces smooth with all edges sharp; clear lettering, numerals and design on metal; wood slightly scratched or bruised; bore disregarded for collectors firearms.

GOOD – Some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned or reblued; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal legible; wood refinished, scratched, bruised or minor cracks repaired; Action is in  good working order but not test fired for function.

FAIR – some major parts replaced; minor replacement parts may be required; metal rusted, may be lightly pitted all over, vigorously cleaned or reblued; rounded edges of metal and wood; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal partly obliterated; wood scratched, bruised, cracked or repaired where broken. Action appears to be in fair working order but not tested for function.

POOR – Major and minor parts replaced; major replacement parts required and extensive restoration needed; metal deeply pitted; principal lettering, numerals and design obliterated; wood badly scratched, bruised, cracked or broken; mechanically inoperative.

NOTE ON FINISH – Sometimes refinishing work on firearms is very hard to detect.  We look for color, sharp lettering and rounded corners to detect any restoration finishes that are not factory applied. Please understand that while we will do our best to detect any signs of refinished work, some good quality restorations may be hard to detect and not noted in the description.   Please use or photos to determine the grade for yourself. Also our staff is available to answer any questions you may have.