The pre-auction estimate for this one was $1800 to $2750. Of course, this is an estimate only, and hammer prices can vary wildly from estimates, but I guess unless I really want something very incredibly badly, or, if the estimate is inexplicably low, I am not one who is inclined to bid markedly over the high end estimate. I want to at least feel like I got a "deal", but, whether or not this is actually true could be open to debate.
Since knowledge is power (!!!), I cracked open SCSW, 4th Edition, and here is what it states, page 195: .455 Mark II Hand Ejector 1st Model: ANIB: $8000, Exc +, $6000, Exc, $4000. The minor pitting on the barrel of this one did bother me, but it still is at least Excellent although not Excellent +. The SCSW does state, p. 12, that "we have tried to reflect the actual marketplace prices at which items exchange hands between a buyer and a seller, both of whom are willing and motivated to close a deal in a gun show type setting." Of course, the book goes on to explain the caveats and how prices can vary wildly. What this book is NOT, when it comes to valuation, and this is a breath of fresh air, is full retail and then some, as most of the other books are (except Flayderman's, which, if you can purchase anything remotely close to what he states, a bargain indeed! Granted, his book contains valuations from some time ago, but I would argue they seem low even for when as published). So, I suppose the price paid yesterday, in light of the facts, is not full retail--but close to it--and is a "fair" price to the right person. Of course, there is the possibility of a bidding war, more or less, and one bidder decided he or she had to have this gun for up to $4,000, and the next bidder did not, and his or her bid of $4250 became the hammer price.
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