Unless You’re Rich, Forget About Ever Owning This Rifle

In 1916, a Mauser Gewehr 98 bolt-action rifle was presented to James O’Connor, Quartermaster of Offaly Irish Volunteers. It was later believed to have been used in battle during the 1916 Easter Uprising, an armed insurrection in Ireland. The Easter Uprising was led by the Irish in opposition to oppressive British rule and oversight. In short, Ireland wanted its independence but Britain was not yet ready to provide it. However, Britain’s response to the uprising eventually led to more interest in Irish independence, which was officially achieved in 1918. The rare firearm used during the Uprising was recently sold at auction. An Offaly newspaper reports that the estimated price was between €8,000 to €10,000 (approx. USD $9,095-11,369), but the rifle ultimately sold for €15,000 (approx. USD $17,053). While many people might balk at the cost, what’s a few thousand dollars to own a piece of history, right?

But while the Mauser Gewehr 98 bolt-action rifle was definitely costly, it pales in comparison to some of the available rifles on the market today — both sold by companies and in auction. 24/7 Wall St. became curious about which rifles are the rarest and most expensive available, so we set out to find out. Using a variety of websites including gun forums, RifleShooter, auction sites such as GunBroker.com and Rock Island Auction, company websites, and more, we collected the top 18 most expensive rifles around. Although the Mauser Gewehr 98 is slightly more expensive than one or two of our options, we left it off the list to focus more on U.S.-specific sales. The order is listed based on recent sale and auction prices. While we did our best to provide numbers as accurately as possible, some guns are collector’s items or sold at the whim of the seller, meaning the prices may not be standard or that the guns may have sold at a higher or lower price. Several of these guns were seller-specific, but others are sold directly by the companies themselves; in these cases, prices are typically more stable.

This previously published article was updated on April 14, 2025 to highlight the new Mauser Gewehr sale and to update several guns based on new sales numbers. 

Why We’re Covering This Now

Firearm companies can make surprisingly popular investments. For instance, Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) produces firearms in the US and is a popular dividend stock. Knowing which guns are currently selling for the most can also help you determine which companies are best to invest in.

Plus, if you’re in the market for a rifle and happen to have a spare thousand to hundreds of thousands laying around, you too might want to grab one of the guns on this list. Auctin sites like Rock Island Auction are constantly updating their selections. You never know when you might come across an ultra-expensive firearm or special collectible that you might be able to nab for a decent price. And while the 1916 Mauser Gewehr 98 is off the table, there are newly available guns (including one on this list!) that have also been tied to historical events.

These are some of the rarest and most expensive rifles you can find: 

18. Cadex Defense CDX-50 Tremor

• Price: $10,100

The Cadex Defense CDX-50 Tremor is a long-range bold rifle. Chambered in .50 BMG, this firearm is regularly used as a sniper rifle, though it isn’t necessarily as popular as some other options. It uses advanced engineering and materials to help mitigate recoil and provide some extra shooter comfort.

17. Blaser R8 Ultimate

• Price: $10,540 to $25,000

This isn’t a rifle you really use all that much. It’s one you collect — and that you’ll feel pretty amazing about displaying. After all, this German-made rifle is extremely accurate and unbelievably beautiful. This gun is made from very high-grade materials like carbon fiber and titanium. There are several models and finishes available, and they can vary in price a bit. But when you’re already spending this much, why not splurge?

16. Barrett MK22 Model O

• Price: $10,999 to $20,000

The Barrett MK22 Model O is a sniper rifle that is typically chambered in .300 Norma Magnum. This high-end bolt-action rifle is extremely accurate and perfectly designed to perform at long ranges. While it is a popular choice among military and law enforcement, many competitive shooters use it, as well.

15. Barrett M107A1 Rifle System

• Price: $11,000 to $14,000

The Barrett M107A1 is a very powerful gun that is chambered in the .50 BMG cartridge. It’s a refined version of the original M107 and includes several improvements to the overall design such as a monopod for shoulder stability and a thermal cheek guard. This rifle is used by all sorts of people, including military and law enforcement.

14. Barrett M107

• Price: $13,500

The Barrett M107 is a very popular rifle that’s known for its stopping power and extreme ranges. This gun chambered in .50 BMG, which is a very powerful cartridge. It’s often used as a very long-range sniper rifle, and its extreme accuracy is one reason it is so costly.

13. G-Series FN FAL

• Price: $13,860

The G-series is a highly sought-after version of the FAL battle rifle. For the most part, this gun can be considered a collector’s rifle. Since the G-Series FN FAL is extremely rare and desirable, it obviously pushes the price up high. The regular FAL is legendary in itself, but the G-series is even more sought after. This legendary battle rifle uses 7.62x51mm NATO caliber.

12. Josef Just Drilling

• Price: $15,000

A Josef Just Drilling is a very interesting firearm. It is a combination gun, which means it has two shotgun barrels and one rifle barrel underneath. These guns are very popular with hunters who might encounter different game on their trip. You can switch between the shotgun and rifle depending on your target. While the price may be a bit extravagent, many people find this versatile weapon to be a helpful tool. Several of these guns can also be found in the $3,000-5,000 range if you’re open to pre-owned guns.

11. Winchester Model 1873

• Price: $15,000 to $29,000

The Winchester Model 1873 is a legendary lever-action rifle that’s often called “The Gun That Won the West.” It was a groundbreaking firearm when it was created, as it offered rapid-fire capabilities that were not previously heard of. The price may vary based on whether you’re getting a Model 1873 that is case hardened, case inscribed, or engraved in any way.

10. Ohio Ordnance M2-SLR

• Price: $17,298.85

This is the civilian-legal version of the iconic M2 Browning machine gun. It’s the only way to own the iconic “Ma Deuce” legally. For the most part, this is a collector’s gun. However, it is often used for target practice and sometimes even hunting. This gun comes with a custom-fitted hard case and redesigned internals. Just a note: if you buy an M2-SLR, it cannot be shipped to California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington or Washington DC.

9. Deutsche Waffen 1902 Luger Carbine

• Price: $18,500

This firearm is also historically significant. It’s a longer version of the Luger pistol and comes with a wooden stock to help improve accuracy. Produced by Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM), a prominent German arms manufacturer, the Deutsche Waffen 1902 Luger Carbine wasn’t made for a long time. Models are relatively rare, hence the cost.

8. AZUR 450/400 NEX Safari Rifle

• Price: $26,500

Produced by the French gunmaker Verney-Carron, the Azur 450/400 NEX Safari Rifle has reliable double triggers, an extended trigger guard, and a fine scroll hand engraved receiver. These rifles were originally produced for large games, but most people keep these guns as a collector’s item today. Collectors know this gun as being exceptionally crafted and incredibly high quality. Just note that this gun can be somewhat hard to find.

7. Winchester Model 1886 Deluxe Rifle

• Price: $35,000

If you’re a gun enthusiast, you’ve probably heard of John Browning. But did you know that he designed this lever-action repeating rifle? The Winchester Model 1886 Deluxe Rifle handled some of the most powerful cartridges of the time. This gun has superior craftsmanship, with the seller stating that “99% original bluing is noted on the barrel with fantastic case colors noted on the frame, forend cap, hammer, lever and butt-plate.” Although you can buy a Model 1886 Deluxe Case Hardened today from Winchester for around $2,000, you’ll have to pay more for a near-mint condition collector’s item.

6. Krieghoff Custom Rose Bouquet Nitride Classic Rifle

• Price: $39,655

The Krieghoff Classic Double Rifle is a luxury gun that is renowned for its performance, and this custom Classic Rifle is no different. This gun is produced by the German gunmaker Krieghoof and is considered one of the best higher-end hunting rifles. Unlike some other rifles on this list, this is one that actually gets used when it’s purchased. Most people purchase this rifle for hunting purposes, though it can also occasionally be bought as a collection piece. This particular gun has absolutely gorgeous detailing. If you’re looking to knock down the price a little, you can look at other Krieghoff Classic Double Rifles — but you’ll still be looking at upwards of $15,000.

5. New Haven Arms Henry Lever Action Rifle

• Price: $40,000

This lever-action rifle produced between 1860 and 1866 was revolutionary for its time period, allowing for rapid-fire capabilities that were unheard of previously. As you might expect, it’s mostly expensive because it is rare and is largely a collector’s item. You probably won’t see this rifle being shot. Around 14,000 total guns were produced. The particular weapon we found for auction is marked with a stamp that says the gun was produced in October 1860.

4. Springfield Model 1896 Krag Bolt Action Carbine

• Price: $90,000

The Springfield Model 1896 Krag Bolt Action Rifle was produced by Springfield Armory between 1892-99 as part of the Krag-Jorgensen rifle series used by the U.S. military. This particular model was the first bolt-action service rifle and even saw combat during the Spanish-American War. While some Springfield Model 1896 guns have been sold for prices in the low thousands, this particular gun was used by a member of the 1st U. S. Volunteer Cavalry (Rough Riders).

3. Rigby Rising Bite Double Rifle

• Price: Starting at £138,455 ($182,470)

John Rigby & Co. took a break from manufacturing the Rising Bite Double Rifle for over eighty years — but this incredible gun is back and better than ever. This meticulously crafted rifle has a unique vertical-bolt locking system and several premium features. We’re talking grade 7 Turkish walnut, specialized full scroll engraving, impossibly intricate designs like gold inlaid details, and mirror-bored chopper lump barrels regulated to 100 yards. It isn’t hard to see why this rifle is at the top of many gun owner’s “ideal guns” lists.

2. 1967 Browning BL-22

• Price: $250,000

The 1967 Browning BL-22 being sold at auction for a stunning $250,000 is believed to be the earliest known surviving Browning BL-22. The seller has confirmed this through conversations with Browning historians, who stated that this rifle may have been made unofficially before Browning officially began manufacturing the BL-22 in 1969. This gun, which would be a great collector’s item, uses .22 LR caliber. Of course, if you’d like a more modern Browning BL-22 instead, you’re in luck — you can get a much cheaper (but still great!) gun for under $2,000.

1. Holland & Holland Royal Double Rifle

• Price: $250,000

According to Holland & Holland, the “Royal” Double Rifle represents the pinnacle of hunting rifles. This handcrafted gun is made with only the best materials — hence the high price. Most also come with fancy engravings, which are also hand-done. Each rifle has individually regulated chopper-lump barrels, a time-proven side lock mechanism, bolts, and ejectors. As you may imagine, with guns crafted one at a time, this rifle is somewhat hard to come by. Expect a long waiting period. However, if you’re not looking for a new gun and are okay with a pre-owned double rifle, Holland & Holland is selling a pre-owned “Product of Excellence” “Royal” Double Rifle chambered in .500/465 for $250,000.

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