About the nicest Baby Russian out there

[mrcvs]

Sold yesterday, hammered at $47,500. With buyer's premium, around $55,000.

No, I didn't get it. But, I thought that it went for a VERY reasonable price. Maybe the high end stuff is coming down a bit?

Extremely Fine Exhibition Quality Gustave Young Engraved and Gold Inlaid Smith & Wesson Baby Russian Revolver

 

[SS336]

That is beautiful. Thanks for the link, really like the way it was engraved by Young.
But…..the price is so far away from what I could afford it is nothing but a dream. Heck, I couldn't afford the buyer's premium.
I know, I'm a crybaby.

 

[mrcvs]

Does anyone know the provenance on this Baby Russian revolver? Who last owned it and put it up for auction or who might have owned it in the past?

 

[opoefc]

Ian, Yes, I believe I know the gun, however pls. see my PM, and as since the provenance wasn't revealed in the Auction description, I'm assuming the seller wishes to remain unknown. Ed

 

[opoefc]

Ian, Pls see PM Re: This Baby Russian . Ed

 

[THREEDFLYER]

An amazing piece!!

 

[Model19man]

That's about half the price of a decent collector car. Seems like a lot for one of those.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Sold yesterday, hammered at $47,500. With buyer's premium, around $55,000.

No, I didn't get it. But, I thought that it went for a VERY reasonable price. Maybe the high end stuff is coming down a bit?

Extremely Fine Exhibition Quality Gustave Young Engraved and Gold Inlaid Smith & Wesson Baby Russian Revolver

It would have done better at a more respected auction house.

 

[mrcvs]

It would have done better at a more respected auction house.

I avoid those, FWIW. Too much buck for the bang!

 

[ACORN]

Gee, I wonder how it shoots?

 

[Camster]

That's about half the price of a decent collector car. Seems like a lot for one of those.

Or more than a new Mercedes C class, or new Mustang GT.
A lot of loot for something that is just medium appeal eye candy to me. I'm drawn more to the Smith and Wesson masterpieces created in the 50s and 60s
I guess I'm not a hard core collector. Never bought into that notion of paying whatever it takes, so that I could possess something that no one else has, or to deny someone else from owning it. I've seen collectors in other arenas, have that latter sick notion as part of their m.o.

 

[m&p2.0fdethumbsafety]

not very useful. it'll just sit around in a safe or display case inside a room somewhere.

 

[LVSteve]

It would have done better at a more respected auction house.

If you mean the shysters that group stuff and/or charge buyers' premiums North of 25%, you're flying solo there, squire. Their business practices suck, and I'm referring to more than one company.

 

[mrcvs]

If you mean the shysters that group stuff and/or charge buyers' premiums North of 25%, you're flying solo there, squire. Their business practices suck, and I'm referring to more than one company.

Exactly! What good is selling nice stuff like this at big name midwestern auction houses when much more goes to the fluff and pricing out collectors such as most of us, when the seller nets about the same. Maybe a bit more….

I'd rather net slightly less and see a dyed in the wool collector get it rather than just Wall Street money. I do want an exhibition grade revolver such as this one and my only chance to get one is in an auction like last Saturday. I was asleep at the wheel Saturday a week ago. I thought it would sell for a bit more than it did but would have been happy getting it around what it went for. I just don't know how high the competitor would have bid and it's a good chance I might have been tapped out first.

 

[iby]

Exactly! What good is selling nice stuff like this at big name midwestern auction houses when much more goes to the fluff and pricing out collectors such as most of us, when the seller nets about the same. Maybe a bit more….

I'd rather net slightly less and see a dyed in the wool collector get it rather than just Wall Street money. I do want an exhibition grade revolver such as this one and my only chance to get one is in an auction like last Saturday. I was asleep at the wheel Saturday a week ago. I thought it would sell for a bit more than it did but would have been happy getting it around what it went for. I just don't know how high the competitor would have bid and it's a good chance I might have been tapped out first.

Ian
Sounds like you're getting a LOT of overtime

 

[mrcvs]

Well, now isn't exactly the time to pursue an exhibition grade Smith & Wesson revolver, as I have a few other things going on. And, it would be a once in a lifetime acquisition.

The problem is that, for me, this is a significant acquisition, if it ever occurs. Competitive bidders might have unlimited funds. If you look at the acquisition history of the "cover gun" that sold last year at Amoskeag and now is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, funds provided by a consortium of billionaires purchased that revolver. You simply cannot compete with folks who can earn in a day what it might take you or I several lifetimes to earn.

Of course, had I placed a bid a week ago Saturday, you never know…

My issue should resolve in a reasonable amount of time but right now isn't the best of times to do this. I'll just say if you've ever owned rental property, it isn't exactly a fun situation at all times (or probably any of the time).

Maybe at an auction or private sale in several months or a few years, the planets will align.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

If you mean the shysters that group stuff and/or charge buyers' premiums North of 25%, you're flying solo there, squire. Their business practices suck, and I'm referring to more than one company.

Who's squire?

 

[LostintheOzone]

Gee, I wonder how it shoots?

I was wondering the same thing.

 

[Mbrgr1]

I was wondering the same thing.

Like a dream!

 

[mrcvs]

I'll be darned, this revolver sold just last year at RIA, ex Gerald Klaz collection, and it brought more at Amoskeag than at RIA, which is unusual.

G. Young Engraved/Inlaid S&W Baby Russian Revolver | Rock Island Auction