Boyz,

Went to a new pawn shop Thursday. Been by it a hundred and eleven times. Finally stopped in. They had a LOT of guns. I homed in on this 38/44 renickel (and I mean recently renickeled). Didn't even have a turn line until I shot it yesterday. Being the coy type I asked the salesman to see it. He responded "that is was a model .38 Special." "Hmm" said self. I asked the model number and he replied "Its a S&W 3695 (assy # on frame)"I knew I was in business. Got it for a song. Tight as can be, great shooter, all matching numbers on butt, cylinder, shroud, and grips. I know it will never be a collector value revolver but it shoots like a dream. Oh, my receipt says "Smith and Wesson Mdl. 3659. Hope I never have an insurance claim. Gotta run, going back to pawn shop. Serial #s89xxx.

Regards

Bill

Attached Images

Nickel HD and 66 no dash 006.jpg (62.6 KB, 300 views)

The only problem is the hammer and trigger. I have come to really hate it when those parts are plated and I don't know why everybody does it during a refinish. At one time I had half a dozen such S&Ws but I have sold all but one and I paid to have the parts de-nickeled on that one.

The 4" HD is a fun gun to shoot. You should enjoy it. Don't you love it when dealers have no idea what they are selling? Normally I feel badly for an ignorant seller low-balling HIMSELF but an FFL should know better and whatever they asked for it, you know they gave the poor schmuck who sold it to them about 1/3 of that amount so no sympathy from me.

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No life story has happy end.

Saxon,

I agree with all of your assessments. I feel no pangs of shame for relieving this shop of the "unknown". I sure paid a lot more for my other two HDs.

Regards

Bill

Nice! Looks like you are all ready for the BBQ now! It appears to be an early postwar, and you should be able to find a good hammer and trigger for around a hundred bucks if you want to change the chrome ones out...

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Even older, even crankier....

Great gun, I bought my first HD marked as a model 10. I don't believe I could have explained to the dealer what it really was so I didn't try to correct him.

Combat,

I didn't say a word. Just haggled down and I think he was happier for me to leave than I was with a 38/44.

Regards

Bill

Bill,
Nice HD and will be a good companion for you for years to come. I just love how they feel in your hand! Enjoy and thanks for sharing.
Bill

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38-44heavyduty.com

I bet that is a great shooter! nothing like a 38/44. Enjoy.

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J. Mark McCarver

and you had the ba**s to haggle him down. I love it.


Charlie

Nice snag and no doubt a good shooter as well! With the bigger shops I have no trouble at all buying a misidentified firearm at a steal price, they should know better. As for a well meaning individual selling well under price I have informed them on the real value and adjusted up and still got a good deal and a good nights sleep. Yeah those pesky asy, numbers sure do confuse the younger set. As with my birthyear K-38 they used an asy. number as the serial number on all paperwork even after I told them twice that they where useing the wrong number and explained why.

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Stay safe people!

Vulcan Bob,

I, in no way, will "get to an individual" either. I always tell them "they can get more money if they are willing to shop it around" and give a ball park figure as estimate. However, with that said, I have no problem walking out with a deal from a large pawn shop that is in the businesss to sell guns.

As Saxon said "You wonder what they paid the poor chump that sold it to them." I have found the pawn shops, since advent of computer, don't seem to have near the buys they once had.

Thanks, and regards

Bill

Does my heart good to see someone win in a deal with a pawnbroker!

I detest the way they lie about their wares, when they often don't know themselves what they have.

But I wouldn't buy a nickled gun, let alone with a nickled or chromed hammer and trigger. Good luck on swapping out those parts.

Fire up the pit! That is one bright BBQ gun

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On the Oak Savannah