Appraisal and Evaluation Services

Written Evaluation and Appraisal - $100.00 per item.

Off-Site Evaluation and Appraisal - $500.00 (minimum) plus travel expenses.

All evaluation fees are refundable if the item(s) is (are) sold or brokered by Battleground Antiques.

We buy items for up to 90% of fair market value.

The verbal and written evaluation will:

1.) Date the item within 25 years(circa)

2.) Give a  detailed description of the item

3.) Provide you with the fair market value and the replacement value. (The values are different in that fair market value is typically the net retail value of an item when sold and the replacement value is what you would have to spend in order to locate and obtain a similar item if yours were lost, stolen, etc.)   

Will Gorges, owner of Battleground Antiques, is available to evaluate and appraise individual items and collections. His fields of expertise are firearms, edged weapons (swords,knifes, bayonets), military uniforms, Indian artifacts, and coins. Mr. Gorges has been in the antiques business since 1982 and is a nationally known authority on American Civil War artifacts. he was  co- founder of the New Bern Civil War Museum established in1989. He has consulted for major museums across the US, and with other collectors around the world.

Lynn Lancaster Gorges,  Textile Conservator / Restoration Specialist and owner of Historic Textiles Studio, is available to evaluate and appraise textiles from the early 1800's to present. She has studied at the Smithsonian Institute, The Campbell Center of Preservation, Schoolhouse Studio of Lawrence, KS,   Cooperstown Textile School,  NCSU College of Textiles, and Colonial Williamsburg. Her specialty is in the area of conservation of military uniforms, flags, vintage clothing, and quilts. She is also trained in the area of quilt restoration.  Historic Textiles Studio houses an 8' x10' stainless steel wet tank which is serviced by a deionized water system. The services rendered are: fiber analysis, fabric dating, stabilization, construction of exhibition mounts, wet cleaning, and storage consulting based on an evaluation of the storage site.

We have experience in estate settlements and expert court testimony, and can travel to meet your needs. All fees are negotiated at the time of contact and most do not require formal contracts. Larger collections and long distance travel is performed under binding legal contract with set fees.

All information is strictly CONFIDENTIAL and treated as such. Neither our client base or mailing list is ever made public nor sold or released in any manner. All employees, regardless of position, must sign legal contracts to that effect.

If we may assist you in any manner, please do not hesitate to contact us.