I have the opportunity to buy a 29-1 that had been damaged by rust, then refinished. As I understand it, less than fifty of these are known to exist? Or should I say have been discovered.

This is an 8 3/8" gun, original stocks gone, RR frt sight. Entire gun has been refinished in a matte black finish, even the H&T.

The pitting is widespread, but not deep.

Lowest the owner will go is $800.

If it's as rare as one of fifty or so ever made, worth buying for $800 considering the condition?



FN in MT

Unfortunately, there is no collector value that I see in the gun. Once pitted and refinished that all disappeared.
It is basically a shooter.
I would think 7-750 would be more reasonable.

If the gun was in VERY GOOD condition, not excellent, no rust but without the Cokes what would it be worth...

In my thinking it's a $500 or $600 gun at best. Unfortunately as I stated the seller will go no lower than $800.

DO NOT GET LOST IN A DREAM. IT WILL NEVER BE ANYTHING BUT A SHOOTER. IF YOU LIKE IT, I SUGGEST THAT YOU BUY IT AS CHEAP AS YOU CAN, WITH THE INTENTION OF SHOOTING THE SNOT OUT OF IT, AS IT IS.....

SADLY---I KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE THAT YOU COULD SINK MUCH MORE INTO A GUN LIKE THIS, THAN YOU COULD EVER SELL IT FOR....

OF COURSE, ITS YOUR DREAM, AND YOUR MONEY. BEST WISHES......

__________________
'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

It WAS one of 50, now it's one of millions of refinished guns.

Good thoughts ...Thank's Gentleman. I passed on it today. Another one of those rare ones ruined by abuse and a refinish...SAD.

I think you made a good decision.
Walt

IF the seller won't drop to a reasonable price then simply walk away. IMO there is no point to dickering with someone like this. Especially for a firearm that has had it's value as a Collectable completely destroyed by mis-handling. What I would tell him is that he has a 400 dollar Shooter and if he ever comes to understand that he is then welcome to call.

And aside from the finish issues. If it is in really good condition. Then they might get five bills for it on a good day. But if it was badly rusted on the outside. One has to wonder what the guts look like. I would not even give it a second look.

Welcome to Montana gun shows.

Used guns are treated as if they were NEW. The grading system used by many sellers is 2-3 grades optimistic. And pricing tends to be just as ridiculous.

WHY I enjoy the occasional Reno , Vegas or other LARGE show. Grading and pricing seems to be much closer to what it actually should be.

I am no collector. Nor am I perfectionist. But even I would not be interested in this gun. You only ask because it's a collectible -1 model but in this condition it has zero collector value. Shame. Reality. Even a shooter like me wouldn't want this gun as messed up as it is. Somebody will buy it but I doubt it will be at 8 bills. Maybe half that. Also note it has the long barrel. Least popular and always brings the least money.

__________________
No life story has happy end.

I noticed a Colt Detective Special from about 1930 on a shelf in the LGS yesterday. Priced high enough at $889, but I have been wanting one from time to time, and this one looked good. I asked to see it. The action was tight and solid. Then I noticed it had been re-blued, with some very light pitting evident under the re-blue. I handed the gun back.

Why do people do this??? I probably would have paid the asking price, or close to it, if the gun had been just left alone, light pitting and all. Now this is a $400 gun at best.

I see it all the time here on the forum; folks get a gun, have it re-finished, and then proudly wait for all the "ooohs" and "ahhhs" which inevitably follow, encouraging others to do the same. I really don't want to rain on anyone's parade, so I try to just move along and not say anything. They state "pride of ownership", or they just wanted the gun to look nice, but it doesn't "look nice"; it looks like **** and that is why it no longer has any collector value.

They pay money to lower its value. "You can lead a horse to water..."