Mt Sterling, KY court days

We went this morning, early. It was the usual mob scene. When they say 500,000 over 3 or 4 days, I believe it.

This year there were even more gun tables and booths than normal. And the infamous "Bridge" was so packed you could barely get across it. This year again the south side of the bridge was sprouting tables, too. Just as common as tables were guys pushing hand carts bristling with guns and "stuff". The folks are even branching out and there were tables up in the area with the civilized folks. You know the kind, selling every gimmick and jimcrack known to man.

Prices were all over the map, with some decent guns priced "too cheap" and then junk new automatics priced up in the sky. There were more hunting guns this year than normal, and I have no real interest in pump shotguns. For the first year in a long time I didn't see a single gun that tempted me. And another new trend was rusty guns. Not just a little, but some that look like they were stored outside all year. A lot of vendors seemed way too proud of all their guns and ammo. I did see a baggie of 29 Jet cartridges for $25. They looked like someone's reloads, so I passed. Another guy had a box of 32 Short Colt for $56. I have no idea how he settled on that price, and don't care. All the .45-70 ammo was priced at $40 per box of 20. Thats $2 each, and outrageous. I'm not paying it even if I did need it.

My wife wanted 550 cord to braid things. Survival bracelets, etc. So we blew $16 at the cheapest place we saw. And the guy selling MREs was pretty reasonable. He wanted $45 a box of 12, or $80 for two. Intead we paid $4 each for 2 meals, to spoil my granddaughter with. She likes Army food now. My son says she really just likes to open the different boxes and its like presents you can eat. I found an old Lyman reloading manual (#40) from 1955 for $2. I'm thinking the private tables are much better than the China junk booths.

Like the Prestonville court days post up in the older handguns section, this one is spread out all over a medium size city. My wife and I are learning now after 42 years we're incompatible. We no longer can walk at the same speed. And of course its my fault. I've got some tendonitis in one foot and it hurts to walk fast. So I don't. Maybe it'll go away.

Were the usual suspects down on Queen St? Whitey, Mike, JR et al often sell in the 5 figures. I love the stories about the guys that start with a couple hundred dollars and trades it into a thousand or more before the show closes.

Yes, most of the usual ones. Mike was off to the side like he was last year, no sign of Whitey. Didn't see "Pizza Man". I did see maybe 10 or so other vendors who's names I don't know. And lots of other browsers who look at you, smile, and say hi. The big difference is parking is free to $5 (or $10 if you want to pay it). There is no admission. Food is kind of scary at some booths, edible at others. Just like a normal gun show, but you have choices.

I'm not looking "for" a M19 or M66, but I look at them to see the prices. Its kind of a baseline you can use. Yesterday the M19s were running between $600 and $800, and the M66s were a step higher with one kind of unremarkable one with a $875 price tag. I feel certain the owner will be taking that one back home with him.

I was looking for a 637 no lock for one of my sons. He had 2 but sold one to a guy he works with. I didn't see any scandium J frames, and only 2 of them in N frame. Both were high (to me). The one guy even asked me "what's it worth?" So I was nice and told him probably what he's asking. The real question is what will they be worth in a few years.

Well, you had a nice day to walk slow.

I fear that the 'net has screwed up chances to find a good deal at about any venue.
First you take someone who has a gun to sell but no idea how to price it, also no idea how to grade the condition. They log onto Gunbroker and look up the same gun in NIB condition that has been there for a year without selling to set the price - and add $150 ( 'cause it was grampa's and he had good stuff ).

And that, my friend is how you get $875 Mod 66's!

GF