Newbie found a Mod 18 - Many Questions

[Col Defender]

Today in a pawn shop I found this gun. Dealer called it a model 18-3 (.22 rimfire) SN 5K591XX, priced at $599. I looked at it carefully and although I'm a novice I think it is mechanically good, tight, bore good etc. Grips OK and blue finish maybe 80% or so. So I'm guessing overall condition as VG. Certainly not EXC.

I like it but am unsure first - what it is. It looks like the Model 18 in my S&W Catalog, but I don't understand the "5" in front of the K591XX in the SN. If I leave off the "5" prefix then it all makes sense and the gun was made in 1948.

And the price?? If I'm looking at the right gun in my catalog, it would be worth $350 in VG condition and while I might be willing to pay $400, that's probably too far off from the $599 this guy wants to get it for that.

So what is this gun? And what would be a reasonable price to offer. Any advice on dealing with a pawn shop.

Help! I'm in new territory here!!

Thanks

Steve

 

[Col Defender]

Today in a pawn shop I found this gun. Dealer called it a model 18-3 (.22 rimfire) SN 5K591XX, priced at $599. I looked at it carefully and although I'm a novice I think it is mechanically good, tight, bore good etc. Grips OK and blue finish maybe 80% or so. So I'm guessing overall condition as VG. Certainly not EXC.

I like it but am unsure first - what it is. It looks like the Model 18 in my S&W Catalog, but I don't understand the "5" in front of the K591XX in the SN. If I leave off the "5" prefix then it all makes sense and the gun was made in 1948.

And the price?? If I'm looking at the right gun in my catalog, it would be worth $350 in VG condition and while I might be willing to pay $400, that's probably too far off from the $599 this guy wants to get it for that.

So what is this gun? And what would be a reasonable price to offer. Any advice on dealing with a pawn shop.

Help! I'm in new territory here!!

Thanks

Steve

 

[VM]

Here's a similar gun in our classifieds

http://smith-wessonforum.com/e...511103904/m/57710703

Serial numbers went Kxxxxx, 1Kxxxx, 2Kxxxx, and so on.

The "book" prices are usually obsolete as far a prices goes as soon as they are printed

 

[VM]

So what is this gun? And what would be a reasonable price to offer. Any advice on dealing with a pawn shop.

It's a 22LR from early 70's.
I buy all kinds of stuff from pawn shops all the time. You have to establish a relationship with them.........once you do that, they'll bend over backwards to help you find what you're looking for.

 

[diamonback68]

That gun was shipped in 1973.
For that price, it had better be NIB never fired, mint pristine or whatever you want to call it. If it's an 80% gun it's worth maybe $300.

 

[Col Defender]

Thanks everyone - that really helps. One of these days I'll go back to that store, probably next week, but doubt that we'll be able to make a deal.

Thanks anyway.

Steve

 

[Boat Fun]

That price seems high. Check the link that VM shows for an example of a much better condition gun WITH box and papers which do increase value. Why not go back to the pawn shop and see if they will take a lesser amount!

 

[fat tom]

If the pawnshops there are anything like ours,they have no more than $100 bucks in the gun. Go back and put 3 Franklins on the counter and see what he says. If business has been slow (doubtful in this economy),he should at least make a much more attractive counter-offer.
f.t.

 

[bluetopper]

One thing I have learned........the people who write these gun pricing books make their living writing books not buying and selling guns.