Dennis The B
US Veteran
As opposed to the last show, there were quite a few very nice S&W revolvers and today's Michigan Antique Arms Collectors' Show. For those who aren't familiar, it's a group of collectors of various firearms and blade weapons. There's everything from early flintlocks to up-to-date firearms, and a lot of display collections.
I made my way around the show, and took note of some of the S&W's which were potential buys. A lot of the collectors are "show and tell" types, and their Winchester or Colt collections are eye candy only. However, if one really prowls the aisles, then there are deals to be had. A lot of M1 Garands, M1 Carbines, and 1911's can be had for reasonable prices.
I looked and passed on two Model 27's that were in okay condition, but didn't fill a niche. The same held true for a beat up Model 57, and a Model 1917. The Model 1917 was a mess; late Magnas, rust and pitting in the barrel, but it locked up tight. I passed @ $850.
The table I finally settled was one in which the owner had several S&W's and a very nice Ruger Super Blackhawk, 3-screw. He had a Model 27 which was nice, a Model 29-3 3", and the one I eventually purchased, a Model 696. I dickered with the seller, and he and I settled on a fair price.
However, the bad news at his table was the Model 29-3. While it had the box, it was missing the tools, and worst of all, it was wearing Pachmayr's and missing the Morado wood combat stocks that would have come with a Lew Horton special. I'm basing this on the fact that the SCSW only shows a Model 29-3 with a 3" barrel.
I didn't want to get into a p---ing contest with the guy, but I did mention that I thought the stocks were not correct. And considering he was asking $900, I figured the gun wouldn't be worth more than about $700. To get a set of replacement stocks you can count on paying $250-300 for an original set of Morado combat stocks.
I've also seen the same Colt Python (ca. 1978), 6" barrel, at four consecutive shows, and it hasn't yet sold. I've also noticed that some prices have softened a bit. M1 Garands are selling for a bit less, and a lot of Browning shotguns are bringing less than even one show back.
The biggest drop was in a Colt Officer's Match Model, where the original price started at $750. (It had a bit of gold lettering which the owner said added at least $150 to the value.) It finally sold today for just under $500.
I made my way around the show, and took note of some of the S&W's which were potential buys. A lot of the collectors are "show and tell" types, and their Winchester or Colt collections are eye candy only. However, if one really prowls the aisles, then there are deals to be had. A lot of M1 Garands, M1 Carbines, and 1911's can be had for reasonable prices.
I looked and passed on two Model 27's that were in okay condition, but didn't fill a niche. The same held true for a beat up Model 57, and a Model 1917. The Model 1917 was a mess; late Magnas, rust and pitting in the barrel, but it locked up tight. I passed @ $850.
The table I finally settled was one in which the owner had several S&W's and a very nice Ruger Super Blackhawk, 3-screw. He had a Model 27 which was nice, a Model 29-3 3", and the one I eventually purchased, a Model 696. I dickered with the seller, and he and I settled on a fair price.
However, the bad news at his table was the Model 29-3. While it had the box, it was missing the tools, and worst of all, it was wearing Pachmayr's and missing the Morado wood combat stocks that would have come with a Lew Horton special. I'm basing this on the fact that the SCSW only shows a Model 29-3 with a 3" barrel.
I didn't want to get into a p---ing contest with the guy, but I did mention that I thought the stocks were not correct. And considering he was asking $900, I figured the gun wouldn't be worth more than about $700. To get a set of replacement stocks you can count on paying $250-300 for an original set of Morado combat stocks.
I've also seen the same Colt Python (ca. 1978), 6" barrel, at four consecutive shows, and it hasn't yet sold. I've also noticed that some prices have softened a bit. M1 Garands are selling for a bit less, and a lot of Browning shotguns are bringing less than even one show back.
The biggest drop was in a Colt Officer's Match Model, where the original price started at $750. (It had a bit of gold lettering which the owner said added at least $150 to the value.) It finally sold today for just under $500.
... I think I would have passed at half the price.
