Just received M40 Centennial GB auction win wondering, based on seller's auction pictures and very brief description, if I'd regret taking chance or be happy with purchase. Personally, as an accumulator/collector, the thrill of the hunt is number 1 with my purchase decisions but there is an added excitement on taking chances. Anyone else experience or have this roll-the-dice impulse?
Anyway, I now have this blue M40 to go with a recently purchased nickel version.
Attached are pictures. First picture is from auction. Other pictures were taken using a pop-up photo tent and cell phone camera.
Thanks for allowing me to share my new found Centennial.
Ray

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	S&W M40 - Blue - Auction Pic.jpg (146.6 KB, 321 views)
	S&W M40 - Blue - Pic 1.jpg (88.3 KB, 296 views)
	S&W M40 - Blue Pic 2.jpg (52.3 KB, 292 views)
	S&W M40 - Blue Pic 3.jpg (54.0 KB, 275 views)
	S&W M40 - Blue & Nickel - Pic 5.jpg (60.2 KB, 263 views)

That's a great pair, bet you're happy you took the chance...

I think you won that bet! Nice looking pistol!

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Very nice! You sure scored on that deal. I took a chance on a 1955 Winchester 94, but it hasn't arrived yet. I know it has a few marks but am hoping for the best.

Looks mint!
I'm ignorant about a Mod 40. What is the "grip safety" looking thing?

That's a dandy, Ray. Congratulations!

I have probably crossed my fingers on more auction purchases than not. I've had a few that turned out as nice as yours. I don't bid crazily when I have to cross my fingers so can say I haven't gotten burned, well not too often .

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Bob

Good guess, that thing is a grips safety! They were supplied with a pin so you could lock the safety down and deactivate it.

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ameridaddy...
Some call them "Lemon Squeezers" because the grip safety must be engaged in order to fire. Here is picture of mechanics seen with grips removed.
Ray

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S&W M40 - Blue Pic 5.jpg (70.0 KB, 132 views)

Only took the dive once. 4” model 27-2. FFL received it and asked me if I had looked at the pictures carefully when I bought it.
GULP!?!?! Dang what did I do? No fear, I got it for a pretty low opening bid of $500.00 ( was 6 years ago) and the pictures showed a mottled looking finish. Hoped it was old oil.
Apparently the FFL looked up the auction and decided to be a funny guy. When I arrived the gun had been detail cleaned and polished up really nicely was a 95%+ gun.

That was well worth the risk...

As to taking chances...several times and every time it paid off...

The last one was last December. Was looking for a used Dan Wesson Guardian in .38 Super to try... New they were about $1300. Seller on GB put one on for $899...with a pretty blotched finish...I mean really blotched...on both sides. The black finish that DW uses looks like some sort of Ceracoat....but for the price I took the chance...

Gun arrived at the dealer and I had to pull up the auction to make sure the guy had shipped the right gun...it was like new...finish was perfect. Only marks on the whole gun was the wear marks on the barrel hood...

I wrote the guy a nasty email advising him I had paid for a USED gun with a blotched finish and didn't appreciate him substituting a like new one in its place... ;-) Turns out he was building a house and was getting rid of a bunch of guns...bought a second Guardian from him that was NIB for $1050...can't ever have enough Supers...

Bob

I hope you're happy, Ray.


That was a great gamble, and those two Centennials look fantastic, together!

-Bill

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Veteran Paratrooper, '86-'90

Wow! You got a sweetheart! Those are just great little guns and you’ve got a pretty pair of them. Congratulations on your new Centennial(s)!

As to your question, yes, I’ve taken calculated gambles, but things are much easier now with the internet and photos. One of the worst buys I’ve ever made, totally misrepresented, and I think the only gun I’ve ever returned to the seller, happened to be a nickel Model 40 from a seller in Maine. This was back before internet buying became the norm. That seller was just a plain “operator,” but at least not a complete crook. He returned my money, less his exorbitant shipping cost, of course. I was a little surprised he didn’t try to tack on a restocking fee. I think his name was “Mr. Henney”.

I've had really good luck buying guns from auction sellers who don't know how to take decent photos or write compelling descriptions. Bad pictures turn bidders away. That's a GOOD thing if you're looking for bargains.

Even a bad photo tells a lot if you know what to look for.

The picture of the nickel and blued side by side is great! I have a nice nickel example, need a blue.

I ended up with my 5" 27-2 taking a chance. I was the only bidder on a
"Smith and Wesson 357 magnum", that was the entire description. The two pics looked like they were taken on someones dining room chair. With shipping and transfer I was into it for right at $500.00. It didn't end up being a 98% gun or anything like that, but plenty nice enough for me to be relieved and glad to own it.

PS, found a pic

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P7240066.JPG (105.7 KB, 38 views)

Wow! Just absolutely WOW! You've just motivated me to spend even more time looking/searching/hunting for more illusive auction finds.
Thank for sharing.
Ray

Beautiful pair! I have a recently acquired nickel that I love.
Fred

Yes, all the time. Recently bid on a set of colt grips that the picture was so dark and poor quality that I could just make out the top outline of the checkering pattern of a 2nd generation python. $125 including the 18% premium and $15 shipping. Very pleasantly surprised when they arrived and they looked like a new gun take of set from 60 years ago. Some time you win and sometimes you do not make out so well.

I don't know how you could have done better. I want one just like it!

The 40 series, especially the 640, makes for a great carry and shooting revolver.

As always "buyer beware" when purchasing sight unseen as is the norm today with the prevalence of online auctions. Even those with fairly good pic's aren't immune to failing to disclose significant issues. I've bought a couple revolvers with undisclosed mechanical issues. Most cases the seller kicked a few bucks my way when I outlined the problem and offered to repair for a modest (about parts only) price. A couple cases the seller omitted taking a pic that would have disclosed a significant problem. One of those was where Bubba had gouged up the inside of the recoil shield of the used 15 with his screwdriver when the cylinder would not open for him. Chewed up a better description, well into the steel. Another was a used 66-5 whose frame had been miss-machined poorly at the factory, to the point the action would never work properly. It should have been scrapped. Both those went back for a prompt refund which I received. The seller of the 66-5 mentioned they'd already sold it to a returning service member just back from overseas; that seller is on my permanent "won't deal with" list.

Sometimes that "pig in a poke" is better than you think. Sometimes its a real hog.

A few years back, I was watching a 14-3 on GB. Description made it sound real nice. Pictures looked just the opposite. I went as far as calling the seller. He assured me that it was in good condition.Won it for $410, insured and shipped. Great deal to me! Was super happy when I picked it up at my FFL. Bob

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