Pawn Stars

[tranteruk]

I was watching a new show from the US, Pawn Stars. It follows a Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. In last nights episode a guy walks in with an Colt M1849 Pocket Revolver. I have handled a few antique guns, and even on TV I could see this was a wreck. No colour, (the guy later admitted he had cleaned it with a wire brush), deeply pitted, barrel wedge missing and the action AF (at fault).

Anyhow, I think the pawn shop paid $350.00. I yelled at the screen, but it was too late. He then took it to a gun store where the owner told him it was a wreck and he had paid way too much. I really thought a pawn shop in the US would know guns better than that, still live and learn.

Incidentally, the pawn shop guy also told the camera how the pitting and nicks being worse on one side showed the original owner was left handed. Odd, I thought it meant it had rested on that side in a damp draw or box for fifty years plus.

[Alpo]

Especially for a pocket pistol, pitting and worn on one side more than the other could also mean carried a lot. A right-handers gun, carried in the right side pocket, rubbing against his leg as he walks, will make the finish more worn on the left side of the gun. Sweat corrosion means pitting. Very common.

[gdmoody]

I must have missed that episode. I watch it when I can but have all of them being recorded. They usually have an "expert" in antique arms come in before they buy a gun they are unfamiliar with. I guess Rick just screwed up that time!

[Alpo]

I realize that it's "entertainment", but my Lord. I've never been in an establishment where the buyer says, "Well, this might be very valuable, but I'm not sure, so let me call in a friend of mine, that's an expert, and get his opinion". Last night this gal had an old 20 dollar bill. He hemmed and hawed, and called in his friendly expert, who said it was worth a grand, so they settled on 800 bucks.

Me, being the cynical suspicious type, would wonder about him having his tame "expert" on call. I bring in this thing that's worth 15000, his "expert" says it's worth 2000, we settle on 1500, and he makes a huge killing.

[gdmoody]

I know what you mean, Alpo. If I were going into a pawn shop to sell something, I think I would have done enough research on it to know what it is worth beforehand!

[Teejay]

I found myself shouting "NO!" when a guy brings in 1883 (?) 45/90 Winchester, in just about excellent condition, and the idiot takes something like $1200 for it. TJ

[tranteruk]

Its worth keeping in mind its made to entertain, not inform. I am sure much is done only for the camera, and we only see the entertaining bits. Also some of the experts they know locally probably cant wait to be on TV, and 'assist' acordingly.

Its fun to watch, its meant to be. Its no documentary.

[fmacsin1]

When you say "pawn shop" in Maine, Mainiacs think you're saying "porn shop!" That's the Maine accent for ya! No wonder everyone watches it (at least once)!

[Gabob]

When I was in business there was a pawn shop in the same strip mall. Whenever Andy got a gun that he was not familiar with he would bring it to me to look over

[UncleFudd]

Tranter;

Another great thread and interesting at that.
Being in the business since 78 I had so many different opportunities and of course I didn't always take advantage of some that I should have and regret even to this day and then I gave more than I should have on a few occasions as well.

I have had people bring in guns and reloading supplies and ammo and just give it to me because someone died and they didn't want the "stuff" laying around. Some were hard up for money and took whatever I offered as long as I did it right then. (had to be careful of some of those as some deals were just too good to be true).

Overall, I was able to pick up some very nice pieces, some of which I sold and some I brought home for my personal collection.
Two of the best that reside in my safe are a mod 92 Win. saddle ring carbine in 25-20 and another is the mod 94 Win in 38-55. Both are very low SNs and both are in very good shape. I have ammo for both and shoot them often. I have taken deer with each of them as well.
One that I missed only because he didn't have the magazine with it was a mod 52C Win 22LR. It was beautiful and I really wanted it and we agreed on a price but he had to bring the magazine back and I never saw him again. I kick my butt for not taking the gun and getting all the magazines I needed later.
Live and learn.

One guy brought in nearly a pickup bed full of reloading stuff. Mostly brass, primers, bullets, powders and manuals that are priceless as they belonged to his late daddy in law who must have been a very articulate re loader. There are copious notes on special loads for several different rifle loads. There were 22,000, .224 bullets alone. Everything from 52 gr HPs to 55 gr solids, mostly Speer and Hornadays in their little 100 round boxes.
I have not had to buy a bullet for my 22s since then and I shoot two or three thousand prairie dog rounds a year. There was 1500 22-250 brass all full length resized and primed and hundreds of 300 mag and 284 and many others also Several thousand brass of different calibers.
There was also a side by side 4 bore black powder gun made by Spang and Wallace and i have never been able to find any information on them or the gun in all my efforts.
It is currently hanging on my wall. It is so heavy it is impossible to shoulder mount it. Originally I thought it was a punt gun, but I am not sure.
I gave the guy $300 for everything. He didn't want anything but I did not want him to come back later and tell me how bad I had screwed him so I insisted on at least $300 and he took it.

UF

[tranteruk]

Uncle Fudd

Two guns stick in my mind that I got hold of while in the trade, and should have stuck with. A nickel plated CF Remington Army Revolver and a 38b Adams percussion revolver, marked Hollis and Sheath, Makers to Her Majestys Board of Ordnance. There was also an original Remington New Model Army percussion, in 'as new condition' as from the factory. Never seen one as good, paid a lot, got a lot.