There was an auction today about 45 minutes from the house and there were several Smiths listed. Poor pictures but possibilities so I went. Missouri auctions of one persons collections are paperwork free for Missouri residents. That and no buyers premium brought out the crazies. 1958 Model 17 in about 90% blue, correct numbers matching diamond magnas, but a big nasty trigger shoe and a home made welded target hammer, no box brought $1000. Used 2206 in the box brought $975. Used 34-1 in the box brought $950. 39-2 in the box brought $1000. Mossberg bolt action .410 brought $350. Used / no box Remington Nylon 66 of the off brown/green color brought $1300. 83 guns sold. The older gent who was selling off his collection was in the room and the longer the auction went the bigger his grin got. No I did not purchase or bid on any guns. Did win a set of K Frame diamond target stocks for $60 and some other Colt grips at reasonable prices so it was not a wasted trip.

Look on the bright side......you didn't leave the auction, go home and sit down for a moment, and then suddenly have that sinking feeling "What the hell did I just do??".

Now you know why people have auctions, if you have the right type and amount of buyers, people all of a sudden are willing to pay stupid prices. Its not just gun auctions.

Were the starting prices silly, or were there people in the room more money that brains, which is a seller's paradise. By putting a high price on something, people that aren't in the know assume that it's something special.

At least it wasn't a total loss for you with getting the grips.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

I sure hope those buyers are happy with their purchases because odds are, they'll be stuck with them for a long time...unless they want to take a loss.

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Chris
SWCA #2243 SWHF #292

I'd think you could buy a small stack of Nylon 66's for $1300 and you couldn't run fast enough to give me the Mossberg . Must have been idiot day in Missouri .

Eddie

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Grumpy Old Man With a Gun

At most auctions I attend, quite a few of the desirable items will bring retail or more. But, some more unusual or antique items may skate by unnoticed to be bought at bargain prices. You never know. You win some you lose some.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Starting prices were $100 to $200 on most guns. The Garands and Carbines all started at $500 and quickly went to $1100 to $1350 each. I did not write all the prices down as they were so out of control it was not worth the ink. I go to 3 to four auctions a month here and this was the silliest I have seen in the 8 years of attending auctions in this area.

I went to a show in SE TX yesterday and saw 3 Black Diamond Model 66s. I have only seen around 15 or so my whole life. One was rough and asking 300 bucks, walking the show. Other was asking $450 and about 95%. Third was in the box but had a weird Cerakote-looking finish to the non-Chrome parts. $695 on that one.

One of the last live gun auctions I went to was about the same. I did come away with a fairly nice WW2 bring back Arisaka for $100.00 all because someone tried to decock it like a Mauser and locked the bolt up. A easy fix "if" you know how to

I've been to two auctions this month. The prices were high due to at least three collectors in a bidding war. Even without those, some of the starting prices were high, even for new guns. Some of which I could get at a LGS for much cheaper than the starting price.

I've never seen a gun go at an auction for anything close to a good price. All of them go for full retail or retail plus.

And this is why I don't even bother with auctions anymore!
Jim

Me neither, at least all the gun auctions I've been a part of. Needless to say I haven't won any either. I've nearly given up

I attended a local auction like this about 2 years ago. All day under a canopy, in front of a warehouse, in the Florida sun didn't make me any more tolerant, when the Firearms were the last batch to go up for auction, 6 hours after the auction opened.

The owner of these items (in his late 60s) his ex-girlfriend and her family, were all bidding these items up. While I think that is unethical, it is not illegal and almost left thinking this is just not worth the one or two I like.

There was one, a model of 1950, .38-44 (appx 1952) P.Jaeger and Co., Claus Willig engraved in aged 1960-ish display box. (non S&W box). It was not advertised as to "who" engraved it. It was something I researched prior with the help of two fellow members of the S&WCA, contacting them on a Saturday morning (which I would never have otherwise, done).

The bottom feeders fell off quickly. It then became just I and the owner all the way up to the highest bid range I allowed myself. I was just about to drop out when he finally quit. If he was not bidding on it, I could have surely gotten it, at least, $5000 less than I paid.

I have NO regrets, what so ever, about the price I paid. It is, surely, one of very, very few S&Ws engraved by Master Engraver Claus Willig.

It just stuck in my "craw" that the owner was there bidding on his own stuff, himself and with related people as shills in the audience taking turns. I find that unethical and deceptive ... perhaps even a tad larcenous, however, it is not illegal.

THIS is what usually happens, at ANY auction ... small, large, bidding by proxy, over the phone or in an online auction.

When the bids start going past the point of logic, it is time to drop out and make believe you never saw it. Many auctioneers and auction houses rely of "auction fever" to get the bidders' emotions flowing. There is a common human thought process that flies around in our subconscious that "if the other guy is bidding that much, it must be worth more". While that might be correct in rare instance, it is mostly a bad thought process.

Bidding should be done, VOID of emotions and with a cool head. Research and KNOW what you are bidding on before the auction starts. Watch out for people who buddy up to you before or during the auction to start "hyping" a few items. Even if you attend with your best friend, separate during bidding. There are no "friends" at auction. Use your own mind, not that of your best friend prodding you to go for it (of course thinking he is doing his duty as a friend and has no connection, what so ever, to the auction).

Consider the above from a collector who is also Licensed as a Auction House.

PS: Be very alert and wary of Auctioneers who pull bids "out of the air" which means, no one actually pulled the higher bid but he calls it anyway. The language and fast talking "hibbida, hibbida" alien-like words auctioneers use is something that is not covered in any dictionary.

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ANTIQUESMITHS
LM1300 SWHF425