Lost at auction

[Exmilcop]

There were several beautiful antique S&W's came up recently in a Texas auction. I bid on 3 since the only pistols we can now buy up here (Canada) are antique status. Unless of course you're a criminal and then you can get anything you want, but that's another story. Alas, I was beat out by those with deeper pockets than mine. Here's what I missed.

 

[BKLooney]

All, or any of the 3, would have been nice to have!

 

[505Gibbs]

I'm not in to the antiques BUT they all look REALLY clean and nice pieces!

 

[iby]

auction

There were several beautiful antique S&W's came up recently in a Texas auction. I bid on 3 since the only pistols we can now buy up here (Canada) are antique status. Unless of course you're a criminal and then you can get anything you want, but that's another story. Alas, I was beat out by those with deeper pockets than mine. Here's what I missed.

Glad to hear prices are up.
Sorry you lost.
The pics indicate that #1 and #2 are refinished, #3 might be original

 

[Club Gun Fan]

Don't feel bad I lost out these these three also, plus four more.

 

[gmborkovic]

How can you say 1 and 2 were re-finished from those bad pics.
Man, you are good!

 

[JSR III]

Hey I feel everyone's pain because I lost out on them too. My only salvation is I didn't know about them and wasn't bidding.

 

[glowe]

So what did they sell for?

 

[Exmilcop]

So what did they sell for?

The engraved nickel one went for $4520. The reblued without the lanyard ring went for $2250. and other blued one went for $2750. Add on the auction extra cost like buyer's premium (17.5%) and if you buy with a credit card add another 3.5%. For me in Canada, add the currency conversion and shipping and it went way over what this old fart could afford. BTW, for those who didn't catch the auction, all were chambered in .44 Russian.

 

[iby]

How can you say 1 and 2 were re-finished from those bad pics.
Man, you are good!

See post #9

 

[6string]

The best policy is to bid up to what you think is a fair price and/or what you can afford. Then, walk away and let the chips fall where they may.

A couple times, I have pushed my comfort level, and it's a relief to then be outbid!

 

[Model19man]

The thing is, with the current runaway inflation, those prices will seem cheap next year.

 

[Exmilcop]

The best policy is to bid up to what you think is a fair price and/or what you can afford. Then, walk away and let the chips fall where they may.

A couple times, I have pushed my comfort level, and it's a relief to then be outbid!

Essentially what I did. Like you, I once got caught in "bidder frenzy" and overpaid for the item I wanted. That's not too bad if it's for your own collection but if you buy something to flip, good luck.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

How can you say 1 and 2 were re-finished from those bad pics.
Man, you are good!

If you read the description given in the catalog, you'd know what he was talking about?

 

[glowe]

If you read the description given in the catalog, you'd know what he was talking about?

. . . except that no one has mentioned which auction they were in?? Details help.

 

[gmborkovic]

I dont have the catalog, therefore could not read the description. I thought he was working off the pics. There was no mention of a catalog
in the post.

 

[rct269]

As re values for NM #3's, here's what mine sold for during the liquidation of my collection over the three years ending about a year ago.

#3 Target, .32-44, $2235
#3 Target, .38-44, $2025
#3 with target sights, .44 Russian, $6470
#3 Target, .38-40, $6500

Condition: All very good, some better than others. The 38-44 was outstanding if you could get past the considerable flaking on the cylinder. The .44 Russian was the best of the lot (the Duffy gun (poorly) pictured in N&J). The 38-40 was second best.

I don't know how these were sold, seems like the .44 Russian was sold by RIA. Best guess is the others were sold one on one. Pretty sure none were sold on Gun Broker, which was the vehicle for the regular everyday stuff.

Ralph Tremaine