Got Out Bid

Retired W4, I like those .45 Targets like you do. My first S&W is a 25-2 that I got ANIB at a show in 1977. In the last year, I've got a Pre 26 at auction, and a Pre 25 on our forum. I also have a PC 25-10 Hand Ejector in .45 Colt.
 
$2500, plus fees was just not enough to own this beautiful Model of 1950 in 45 Colt. With a $250 bid increment I needed to go to $3000 to win it. I was busy at the show when the auction closed and found out I was out bid when I got home. I will always wonder if a $3000 bid would have held or would some one bid $3250. One of only 200, as I understand it. Anyone here get it?

I'm the guy that got the gun for $2750. When I bid I do like one of the prior replies, I put my max bid in, if I get it good, if not that's okay too. I did not expect to get this revolver based on previous prices on a .45 Colt chambering. There was one walking around Tulsa last month asking $6K, and it was not without issues and questions. I'm going to letter this gun to confirm its originality. With regard to the stated condition, my experience with Rock Island is that they tend to if anything underestimate the condition of the gun. We'll see when it gets here.

I've got another in .45 Colt that I will take to Concord for Show and Tell. I've got serious questions as to whether it was shipped as a .45 Colt. It was returned and factory refinished, based on frame markings, could it have been rechambered also?
 
rmax, I think you did well on that gun. If it had been at one of the auctions in Texas, where I could have seen it and handled it, I probably would have put in a bid over 3k. Plus I love those no cutout target stocks.
 
I'm the guy that got the gun for $2750. When I bid I do like one of the prior replies, I put my max bid in, if I get it good, if not that's okay too. I did not expect to get this revolver based on previous prices on a .45 Colt chambering. There was one walking around Tulsa last month asking $6K, and it was not without issues and questions. I'm going to letter this gun to confirm its originality. With regard to the stated condition, my experience with Rock Island is that they tend to if anything underestimate the condition of the gun. We'll see when it gets here.

I've got another in .45 Colt that I will take to Concord for Show and Tell. I've got serious questions as to whether it was shipped as a .45 Colt. It was returned and factory refinished, based on frame markings, could it have been rechambered also?
Nice buy on the 1950 45 Colt. I watched it and probably would have bid it up a bit had I remembered what time it was closing. I'll look forward to seeing it at Concord. What makes you think it wasn't a factory 45 Colt? The factory certainly could do it, and would do it, but documentation of that is apparently scarce. I have a 1917 though documented as being converted by the factory to a 45 Colt target in 1949.

You never know on the auctions, I don't like to chase them either. Today I bid, once, my max, on GB and won the gun for exactly my max bid. Always wonder a little when that happens.
 
It says ORIGINAL finish and FROSTY bore? Looks like two gouges in the side of the cylinder under the bluing, and no turn line? Difficult to be sure from photos!
I agree my friend- something does not look quite right. The gun has a frosty surface that does not really look like the satin blue of the early 50s. Fine bead blasting perhaps? I see the under-blue dings you spotted. Good eye.
 
I've had a few wins and A LOT of losses. I always have to consider bidder discipline---can I make a minimum of 10% over the total cost (buyer's premium, shipping, etc.)? After all, I'm an FFL01 and I'm there to make a few bucks. Figuring all that into account, I put in a Max Bid and see what happens. If a customer tells me what they're willing to pay, then I recalculate my numbers so I recoup all my expenses & fees. For the most part, I find auctions to be more a retail/collector venue rather than a resale potential. There are some ridiculous prices realized at some of these auctions.
 
I've had a few wins and A LOT of losses. I always have to consider bidder discipline---can I make a minimum of 10% over the total cost (buyer's premium, shipping, etc.)? After all, I'm an FFL01 and I'm there to make a few bucks. Figuring all that into account, I put in a Max Bid and see what happens. If a customer tells me what they're willing to pay, then I recalculate my numbers so I recoup all my expenses & fees. For the most part, I find auctions to be more a retail/collector venue rather than a resale potential. There are some ridiculous prices realized at some of these auctions.
I watch the RIA auctions quite a bit and buy occasionally. That venue is not known for low prices and yet I've seen some items show up on GB and GI shortly after selling at RIA. Of course one of them is still being advertised months after the auction. I would think it a very tricky business to buy at RIA and comparable auctions with the idea of being able to quickly resell and make a profit worth the effort.
 
There’s a lot to be said for just placing one serious, but comfortable, bid then walking away.
Sometimes you get lucky!

On occasion, I have won stuff for much, much less than my max bid, usually because I found some unique characteristic of a listing that neither the seller nor, apparently, other potential bidders noticed.
 
I always get a little jacked when my top bid holds and I actually end up with something I want. There have also been the few times that my top bid was nowhere near where anybody else felt like pursuing. There are few things more irritating than getting into a bidding war with someone that either wants it as bad as you do or just hates loosing and has a ton of money to throw away. I get into a urinating match from time to time, nickel and diming each other until I finally let it go.
 
I know it not the same thing but I got out bid on a set of n frame target grips . I thought I had this than in the last hour or two I forgot about it stupidly pull the rug right under me lost it dumb dump I follow this all the way till the end
 
Is the hand ejector of 2001 less desirable?
The .45 HE of 2001 is worth only a fraction of the .45 Colt chambered 25-2, Early 25, Pre 25 and Pre 26 guns, or any other S&W in .45 Colt made before the 125th anniversary model 25-3. As far as I know. Here is a pic of my 25-10, .45 Colt.
 

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