BigBill
Absent Comrade
We never know what's in the box of chocolates right?
Am I done with S&Ws?
- Thread starter Art Doc
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BigBill
Absent Comrade
Go bass fishing. I love it too.
Jim1392
US Veteran
I'm in the same position as many others here. As I'm getting older and have had some health issues I've been selling off many of my safe queens. When you see many of your old friends passing it's a wake up call. My feeling now is if I'm not shooting it, or carrying it I would rather let someone else enjoy it. Also the last thing I want to happen is that if something happens to me my wife has a safe full of guns that she has no idea of what they are worth. So now I'm down to my carry gun and some 22's I shoot every week.
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Rick_A
Member
Look at all these models!
It'll take a minute to collect them all.
It'll take a minute to collect them all.
SP, you have just lost your focus. Find a model that you really like and specialize in that model. I was a broad spectrum collector and always wondered when folks would say that eventually you will land on one model that you will specialize in. I never thought it would happen but it did. Of the last 20 guns that I have acquired I would estimate that 75% are .22/32 HFT's.
They have become my passion and I spend hours looking for different variations exhibiting various feature changes over the years. A couple years ago I started a database on this model and now have over 2,000 guns represented. I have done extensive research on the originator of this interesting gun and continue to look for anything related to the .22/32's.
The passion for me is the search and the learning and adding an occasional new example.
It never gets old.
They have become my passion and I spend hours looking for different variations exhibiting various feature changes over the years. A couple years ago I started a database on this model and now have over 2,000 guns represented. I have done extensive research on the originator of this interesting gun and continue to look for anything related to the .22/32's.
The passion for me is the search and the learning and adding an occasional new example.
It never gets old.
It's the circle of life. Sometimes it's Nestle, sometimes it's Dove, sometimes Ghiridelli. Sometimes it's Ford, sometimes it's Toyota. Sometimes it's Miller, sometimes it's Guinness. Sometimes it's blonde, sometimes it's redhead. Sometimes it's Smith, sometimes it's Colt.
I've told myself "I'm done" and I am. Since the "Newtown incident" and the aftermath acrimony, I have acquired a 2" 34-1, a 4" 64 tapered bbl, a 4" 29-2 in nickel only because I actually like making a "deal" with Khalid the local "wizard of the arms bazaar", and a Colt 6920 because CDNN had a 1 day sale that created an "on my table" price of $815. I'm really done.
I like JSRIII's comment about focus. I once saw a display of Browning P35's (HiPowers) with 140 variants. I told the owner "Must be nice to have all of them." He replied: "Not even close."
Another time a gent had a single Colt SAA in a fancy display case with tons of accouterments( this was at least 25 years ago so I don't remember any of the story). He told me he traded his entire collection for it. I asked why would he do that. He said it would appreciate in value faster than the other guns, it was easier to tote to shows,and he kept it in a safe deposit box at the bank allowing him to sleep easier.
So I guess focus is really the issue whatever we do. Joe
I like JSRIII's comment about focus. I once saw a display of Browning P35's (HiPowers) with 140 variants. I told the owner "Must be nice to have all of them." He replied: "Not even close."
Another time a gent had a single Colt SAA in a fancy display case with tons of accouterments( this was at least 25 years ago so I don't remember any of the story). He told me he traded his entire collection for it. I asked why would he do that. He said it would appreciate in value faster than the other guns, it was easier to tote to shows,and he kept it in a safe deposit box at the bank allowing him to sleep easier.
So I guess focus is really the issue whatever we do. Joe
jtcarm
Member
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I had the pleasure of knowing the late Dick Eades. Dick was a retired Army officer and writer for several of the gun mags.
His collection was enormous. I don't know for sure, but I think the estimate was around 500 guns. His gun room had several glass display cases. I guess it was a converted bedroom, because I once saw a walk-in closet with all four walls stacked four to five-deep with long guns.
Dick was the go-to guy for widows of old friends to liquidate their collections. I got invited to his home a couple of times to look them over. During one visit his wife Jean said "every time one of Dicks friends die, we get stuck with a bunch more damn guns!"
Needless to say, Dick wasn't always diligent when it came to selling them off[emoji6]
BTW: I once asked him why he didn't have all those guns locked away in safes. He replied he was insured out the wazoo.
No interest in hijacking the thread, but how does one oil & maintain that many guns, or even 140 Browning Hi-Powers? I never had such ambition, at least when it came to inanimate objects.
Mel Torme had 40+ Colt's SAA's back in the 60's, a gorgeous & fabulous collection of real history...but 140 of the same weapon?? And 500 plus of rifles & handguns...I can sorta see the appeal but not the maintenance.
I do however love the idea of glass display cases, I could enjoy a few of those & a spare room to keep them in.
Mel Torme had 40+ Colt's SAA's back in the 60's, a gorgeous & fabulous collection of real history...but 140 of the same weapon?? And 500 plus of rifles & handguns...I can sorta see the appeal but not the maintenance.
I do however love the idea of glass display cases, I could enjoy a few of those & a spare room to keep them in.
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That's why you use Renaissance Wax for long term storage. Just like waxing a car to prevent rust, a microcrystalline wax will not dry up like oil and leave just the moisture grabbing rust creating dust behind.
Remember we don't own these guns, we are merely this centuries caretakers.
Remember we don't own these guns, we are merely this centuries caretakers.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I'm 64yo, had cancer my overall health sucks. I should be selling?
There willed to my two sons and grandson.
I refuse to die my bucket list isn't complete yet. A few more smiths to go, a few more Colts to go, a few more Rugers to go, etc im not done nor will I ever be. I'm going to live to 90 so my heart doctor said. My future hoveround will get me to the lgs Lmao.
There willed to my two sons and grandson.
I refuse to die my bucket list isn't complete yet. A few more smiths to go, a few more Colts to go, a few more Rugers to go, etc im not done nor will I ever be. I'm going to live to 90 so my heart doctor said. My future hoveround will get me to the lgs Lmao.
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There's always Taurus! 
SaxonPig once said that the Model 58 was a cult gun with no practical use.
Here's mine.
keith44spl
Member
I hear ya brother........I've 'bout gotten to the end of the row as well.
I'm to the point, where I build the revolvers that suit me.
The ones Smith didn't build or wouldn't build.
.
I'm to the point, where I build the revolvers that suit me.
The ones Smith didn't build or wouldn't build.
.
Brian41
Member
As I mentioned earlier I've had to sell many because of my divorce and I couldn't afford to buy her out on half of them.
It does make you think though what guns do you really need and want. I made sure I had enough for the different types of hunting I do and for carry guns and home defense. I found I could give up those guns I hardly ever shot and were almost safe queens. Unfortunately those were in large part older S&W revolvers and mainly .41 mags. I did get out of that caliber altogether as it may be quite some time before I can get back into reloading as I sold that equipment as well. I have myself down to a few different common calibers now that I won't have problems getting ammunition for either.
I really had been planning on reducing my collection anyhow but not in this fashion. I'd planned on selling some here and Gun Broker and not wholesale at gun dealers as the lawyers insisted on either. They were interested in quick sales and didn't want to stretch this out any. It wasn't their collection or money either.
I'll deal with it though and be happy with what I have left.
It does make you think though what guns do you really need and want. I made sure I had enough for the different types of hunting I do and for carry guns and home defense. I found I could give up those guns I hardly ever shot and were almost safe queens. Unfortunately those were in large part older S&W revolvers and mainly .41 mags. I did get out of that caliber altogether as it may be quite some time before I can get back into reloading as I sold that equipment as well. I have myself down to a few different common calibers now that I won't have problems getting ammunition for either.
I really had been planning on reducing my collection anyhow but not in this fashion. I'd planned on selling some here and Gun Broker and not wholesale at gun dealers as the lawyers insisted on either. They were interested in quick sales and didn't want to stretch this out any. It wasn't their collection or money either.
I'll deal with it though and be happy with what I have left.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
About 15 years ago an older collector was turning in his collection at a lgs.
The lgs just dumped the military guns at cost. I never gave it much thought but I felt bad for the man. Time goes by so fast. All of a sudden were the old man. He was going to a home. I don't have much anyway.
The lgs just dumped the military guns at cost. I never gave it much thought but I felt bad for the man. Time goes by so fast. All of a sudden were the old man. He was going to a home. I don't have much anyway.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
Don't u guys think it's time to make a list of guns/serial numbers with bullet points about what's special about them or not with a date/value?
This way your misses has some sort of what there worth. I think the best way for her to sell them is on consignment at a lgs. Do not go to a pawn shop. My pawn shop guy said he loves ripping the dead man's families off when they bring in the guns. My point is have a plan ahead of time. Value them by the highest online prices to play it safe. Every six o twelve months update the prices.
This way your misses has some sort of what there worth. I think the best way for her to sell them is on consignment at a lgs. Do not go to a pawn shop. My pawn shop guy said he loves ripping the dead man's families off when they bring in the guns. My point is have a plan ahead of time. Value them by the highest online prices to play it safe. Every six o twelve months update the prices.
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I haven't bought a smith since my .460 in 2010. Tried sighting it in and noticed the firing pin was striking way to the right on the primer. Sometimes it would hit so far right it wouldn't even ignite the primer. Timing was so far off the cylinder wouldn't rotate far enough. I waited 10 months to get it and had to send it right back and wait 6 more weeks.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I understand my desires are a few now. (Maybe) second thoughts. I'll go slow now. I always been fussy what I bought.
I need to loosen up some investments. Time to sell off other hobbies.
I need to loosen up some investments. Time to sell off other hobbies.
HOUSTON RICK
Member
I do not seem to run out of S&W firearms that I would like to own.
