Went to the show today at Camp Jordan. Dissapointment would be the key word here.
As has been noted by many lately the abundance of 'marginal' gun related items was depressing at best. Many vendors with clothing, some with holster displays (some were well done, others displayed obvious shoddily made wares), some ammo vendors with the attendant astronomical prices attached, one guy selling some kind of unidentifiable tool: I never could figure out what it was or did but he sure talked up a storm.
Overall a waste of time and money.
Looking of course for high grade Smith's I came away with an acheing back and a monster headache. Few were to be found.
I counted around 10 N frames, 3 of which were 629's with $700+ price tags, no box or paperwork, maybe 20 to 40 K frames, most of which showed much blueing wear but where still priced north of $400 and a quite a few j frames, some actually had the boxes, but again, most were worn and way overpriced.
I took a fine nickle plated 27-2 with display case in hopes of finding a 24-3 to trade outright. Result? My left arm hasn't quit shaking yet from toting that thing, weighing around 4.5 pounds at the start it came away feeling like I was carrying a Coke machine. Happily it is back in the safe now.
Of course everyone who spotted the display case wanted to know what was in it, how much I wanted and could they look at it. When told I had brought it for trade only the reactions ranged from funny looks to downright rudeness. One dealer insisted i put a dollar value on it, when i told him $850 I was quickly told it was too much. Pointing to a well worn run of the mill M10 he had on his table priced at $550 i let him know that the apparent disparity between the condition of the two left him little to complain about. Needless to say he was not happy with having obvious greed pointed out in front of others.
Happily my day was cut short by a call from my Wife who had locked herself and the dog out of the house. Being worried about the dog I headed home, boy was I glad to see him.
It's my opinion that the happy days of productive gunshows and hopes of coming away with a nice old Smith & Wesson are a thing of the past. Actually it seems that gim-crack plastic semi-auto's rule the roost now. Those were there in abundance in all thier polymer glory.
Can't wait to see in years to come how they've held thier value.
'Hey Buddy, care to look at a classic Taurus .40?'
Don't think so.
RD