Old Fart Gunshow Dealers....

[G-Mac]

I just got home from the big Syracuse Gun Show at the New York State Fairgrounds.

What a joke.

"Show" is an accurate word. The prices being asked for well-worn S&W revolvers leads me to believe that the owners really don't want to sell them.

One old boy has a table in the same spot every year...with the same guns for sale.

He has a 4" Model 28-2 that I've looked at annually for at least five years.

I asked him yesterday, "Is that the same Highway Patrolman that you've been bringing for about four or five years now?"

"Yup, sure is. I guess the right guy hasn't wandered by yet".

Another regular had a 13-2 nickel in 3" tagged at $550.00. No box or papers. It was clean and tight...turn line barely visible. I know they're somewhat scarce and I wanted it...but for a little less money. I told the man that I was interested, but I liked getting them with the original box and papers. I told him that his price was maybe just a little high for just the gun.

"Well, if I had the box and papers, I'd want $250.00 more for it".

So...I walked.

Bought a couple of pro-gun T-shirts. Traded one of my folding target stands for fifty bucks worth of blood-splattering zombie targets, and supported a couple of local gun clubs by buying some raffle tickets....always willing to take a chance on winning a new Remington 870 shotgun or evil, black AR-15 rifle.

I sold a nice Wally World Ruger stainless 10/22 rifle that I was carrying around for a fair price.

Same 'ol **** every year....but I go anyway.

 

[Iggy]

We got lots of them old Geezers that make the gunshows a social event, but you can sure learn some stuff is you listen more than you talk.

 

[Rangerpat]

That's about the same down here in Florida.

 

[JcMack]

The quickest way to turn into a cranky old fart is to set up on a gun show circuit for a few years.

 

[BaldEagle1313]

We got lots of them old Geezers that make the gunshows a social event, but you can sure learn some stuff is you listen more than you talk.

You just have to make sure your "B.S." filter is turned to the highest setting...

 

[G-Mac]

Another dealer asked me what I was looking for.

"Old Smith & Wesson revolvers", I said.

He said that he had a pair of 6" Model 686's, unfired in original boxes, with consecutive serial numbers, back at his shop.

He didn't know the dash numbers.

I asked him how much he wanted for them.

He said there was a guy in Pennsylvania willing to give him $2500 for the pair.

I told him to take it before the guy changes his mind.

 

[ladder13]

Was "Eddie" there?

 

[G-Mac]

Was "Eddie" there?

Eddie who?

 

[michael thornton]

I kinna like them old farts!

 

[doublesharp]

The quickest way to turn into a cranky old fart is to set up on a gun show circuit for a few years.

true dat! I watched that very thing happen to rburg.

 

[gjamison]

i was at the last show and i picked up an early 1917. we went on a sunday thinking the crowd wouldn't be as bad we where wrong. prices where a joke.

 

[therevjay]

So what? They arn't hurting anyone, and seem to be enjoying themselves.

 

[LVSteve]

So what? They arn't hurting anyone, and seem to be enjoying themselves.

Exactly, and if their prices are too high for you to buy, they are saving you money, too.

 

[G-Mac]

So, the rest of the story....

I first saw the 3" nickel 13-2 that I liked yesterday. There were several guys manning this group of tables. Apparently, it was a gun shop from Western New York, south of Buffalo somewhere.

I was talking to the oldest guy (late 50's-early 60's) that impressed me as probably being the shop owner.

I asked him if the Model 13 was factory nickel. He gave me a funny look and said "that's stainless steel".

I politely informed him that Model 13's weren't made in stainless steel.

He appeared offended that I had to educate him on a gun that he was selling.

Today, when I went back, he had an attitude from the git-go.

It just wasn't meant to be....

 

[rburg]

true dat! I watched that very thing happen to rburg.

Cranky doesn't even scratch the surface.

 

[Iggy]

You just have to make sure your "B.S." filter is turned to the highest setting...

I got's to tell you, I believe everything I hear at a gun show.
I believe some of it's the truth and some ain't, but I believe them!!

 

[keith44spl]

I don't attend shows to find good deals...I let 'em find me.

I'm as cranky a buyer as them other fellers are sellers,
a firm cash offer general works well fur me.

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[G-Mac]

I got's to tell you, I believe everything I hear at a gun show.
I believe some of it's the truth and some ain't, but I believe them!!

I was at a small gun show held at a hotel in Cortland, N.Y. about twenty years ago.

I was looking at a heavy bull-barreled benchrest rifle. Not interested in buying it, but just looking out of curiousity.

The seller spoke up..."That rifle used to belong to the head of the NRA."

My quick response...."If it was any good, he probably would have kept it."

 

[kscardsfan]

If you want a deal on a gun, don't hit a gunshow, stand around the divorce court doors

 

[David LaPell]

So that's where Eddie was, no wonder I couldn't get him on the phone. Eddie is one you never forget, a nice gentleman in his 70's, has more Smith's than he can ever sell (along with classic Rugers) and has been in the business for 30 years. He has also sold tractors, and in the 50's was a driving salesman who went all over the place selling whatever it is he had. He could talk the ears off of a wooden Indian but what you are getting is quality worth every penny. He's where I get all of my old iron and I used to help him out at gun shows when I had the chance. He here is with my son last year.