A friend gave me a heads up on this revolver...it was tagged at $339..I walked out with it for $275. I just wonder if it is too good to be true. SN#V191754 on butt frame, barrel, cylinder and ejector..also inside right grip. Parked finish..about 95%..nice tube. Case colors on the hammer and trigger. Barrel roll mark 38 S.& W. SPECIAL CTG. Top of frame on left side stamped U.S.NAVY. Lanyard ring present. No P or ordnance bomb stamp. Just wondering if it indeed falls in a NAVY serial number range. Thanks ahead of time.
Pawn shop Victory Model..U.S. NAVY...
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A friend gave me a heads up on this revolver...it was tagged at $339..I walked out with it for $275. I just wonder if it is too good to be true. SN#V191754 on butt frame, barrel, cylinder and ejector..also inside right grip. Parked finish..about 95%..nice tube. Case colors on the hammer and trigger. Barrel roll mark 38 S.& W. SPECIAL CTG. Top of frame on left side stamped U.S.NAVY. Lanyard ring present. No P or ordnance bomb stamp. Just wondering if it indeed falls in a NAVY serial number range. Thanks ahead of time.
... and the pictures are ... where?
Sounds like one sweet deal to me. Congratulations,
Jerry
Sounds like one sweet deal to me. Congratulations,
Jerry
Sgt Neutron
Member
OK, I'll say it:
opoefc
US Veteran
yes, I have close serial numbers shipped to the US Navy in Oakland, CA. in Dec. 1942, so it falls in the range of Navy shipped Victory Models. Nice buy for the price.
MR .44 Spl
Member
Is it OK if I hate you just a little?
I've been keeping my eyes out for a .38 Spl Victory for a while. All the ones I've run across are priced like museum pieces.
cookie077
Member
I also can't wait for pictures. Sounds like a nice find.
So..I get home today and on my message machine is this.."This is Tom at the pawnshop...regarding the pistol you bought yesterday. I am calling as a courtesy to a young lady who really would like to get her family pistol back. She regrets putting it in pawn and it means so much to her. Could you please give us a call?" So I am not in the Christmas spirit. Usually folks have a lot of time to retrieve pawned items and once they are out there in the case they are fair game as far as I am concerned. Should I call the shop?
Landpimp
Member
I say.....enjoy your new Victory my guess is you will give it a better home than where it came from.
but thats just me....right this moment...i can be a softy sometimes
but thats just me....right this moment...i can be a softy sometimes
The real message should have been this," Hi this is Joe at the pawn shop, I am calling about the Victory Model we sold you. I was just reading on the S&W Forum about the revolver, and it seems we screwed up big time in selling it so cheap. Please bring it back so we can re-sell it for twice what you paid for it"
It is yours now, signed sealed and delivered, keep it and enjoy it!!!
There may be two issues here. One, the gun may have been sold before it should have.
Ie, maybe they sold it early, and the 'owner' still has a legitimate claim on it.
Somehow, if this is the case, the pawn shop will have to make good on her claim.
Two, and maybe more important to you - if you don't co-operate with the pawn shop,
they may never do business with you again.
If it were me, I'd call them, and ask what happened . Did they sell it early ?
Maybe even ask them who the owner is, and call her and see if you believe her story.
I suppose there is also the situation in which she just forgot about it, but was
always meaning to redeem it.
There will always be another Navy Victory around - somewhere. If there really was
some error made, its probably best to get it straightened out.
You know - if, for example, the gun were stolen, and now located, you'd be obligated
to give it up. Talking about it, with them, is the best thing to do - first.
Later, Mike Priwer
Ie, maybe they sold it early, and the 'owner' still has a legitimate claim on it.
Somehow, if this is the case, the pawn shop will have to make good on her claim.
Two, and maybe more important to you - if you don't co-operate with the pawn shop,
they may never do business with you again.
If it were me, I'd call them, and ask what happened . Did they sell it early ?
Maybe even ask them who the owner is, and call her and see if you believe her story.
I suppose there is also the situation in which she just forgot about it, but was
always meaning to redeem it.
There will always be another Navy Victory around - somewhere. If there really was
some error made, its probably best to get it straightened out.
You know - if, for example, the gun were stolen, and now located, you'd be obligated
to give it up. Talking about it, with them, is the best thing to do - first.
Later, Mike Priwer
canoeguy
US Veteran
Give it back to a pawn shop? They have lost thier mind! The only reason they want it back is to make more money on it!
It was quite a bargain at $275, I think I paid close to $600 for mine a couple of years ago, and was glad to get it at that price. But then, as a retired Navy guy, I have a soft spot for Navy marked revolvers....
Mine is serial number V54296, and was shipped to U.S. Navy, Norfolk Va. August 4, 1942, based on a Smith and Wesson letter.
It was quite a bargain at $275, I think I paid close to $600 for mine a couple of years ago, and was glad to get it at that price. But then, as a retired Navy guy, I have a soft spot for Navy marked revolvers....
Mine is serial number V54296, and was shipped to U.S. Navy, Norfolk Va. August 4, 1942, based on a Smith and Wesson letter.
G
Guest
Personally, I'd talk to the Shop owner.
Most States regulate Pawn Shops pretty closely and this simply sounds a bit "fishy" to me. And, as several people have suggested the Shop owner may have realized he screwed himself and has another 'buyer' waiting in the background who's willing to pay full price or more!!!
But, I'd also have to have direct contact with the original owner before I'd be willing to give the gun up and that would only happen if I was sure that it wouldn't be going right back into another Pawn shop next time the owner "needs" something. If the gun meant so much just "why" was it Pawned in the first place???
Most States regulate Pawn Shops pretty closely and this simply sounds a bit "fishy" to me. And, as several people have suggested the Shop owner may have realized he screwed himself and has another 'buyer' waiting in the background who's willing to pay full price or more!!!
But, I'd also have to have direct contact with the original owner before I'd be willing to give the gun up and that would only happen if I was sure that it wouldn't be going right back into another Pawn shop next time the owner "needs" something. If the gun meant so much just "why" was it Pawned in the first place???
Memphis
Member
I have to agree with KKG on that one. If it meant so much why was it pawned? As we all know they don't offer squat to the pawner. At the very least I would talk to the orig owner and try to get a feel if they want it back for sentimental reasons or monetary reasons. Tough call..and good luck.
Roger
Roger
Smells fishy to me.... Good luck with resolving this. I wish you the best,
Jerry
Jerry
If it's in any respectable condition at all, you are in to it for about $325 less than it's actually worth.
Tell the pawn shop owner you understand the situation, but purchased the gun in good faith as well.
Buy it, meet with the original owner and find out what the pawn shop gave her for it, tack on another $100 or so and she'll probably jump at it. If it's truely a heirloom she can't live without, you'll know and will probably do the right thing. That's what sets aside collectors from pawn shop owners.
I paid $750 for mine with the original holster marked with the WWII vets name and Air Group number.
Tell the pawn shop owner you understand the situation, but purchased the gun in good faith as well.
Buy it, meet with the original owner and find out what the pawn shop gave her for it, tack on another $100 or so and she'll probably jump at it. If it's truely a heirloom she can't live without, you'll know and will probably do the right thing. That's what sets aside collectors from pawn shop owners.
I paid $750 for mine with the original holster marked with the WWII vets name and Air Group number.
handejector
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I worked in a pawnshop located across the street from a large public housing complex, but also in an upscale shopping center, 6 days a week for nine years. I was the only employee, with no other help, for those nine years. It took quite a toll on me.
Trust me here- John Steinbeck and Stephen King could not invent a story I haven't heard!
EVERY strata of society occasionally use a pawnshop, including doctors, lawyers, accountants, bankers, and preachers. The fact is, people use a pawn shop for ANY reason you can possibly think of that people need money. Unexpected repairs, emergency travel, normal bills, laid off, illness, drug habits, etc, etc.....
My policy was that if an item was still unsold, the original pawner, or family thereof, could redeem it for whatever was owed on it, no matter how late they were.
I tend to believe the story here.....pawnbrokers rarely chase a good deal they give by mistake. Better to just let it roll, satisfied that the buyer will spread the word about what good buys can be had at THAT shop.
There is a SIMPLE fix here- get her phone number, or agree to meet her at the shop at an appointed time. She may have been sick, unemployed, or out of town when it came due. Or, she may have loaned it to a brother or kid to pawn when they needed money, and not realized they were defaulting.
It could not hurt to talk to her, and see what "feel" you get from the story. I am sure I got conned many a time, but I always figured it was better to err on the side of kindness rather than being hard.
If you decide to let her have it, let the shop book it back in, with the understanding that you get to witness the transaction of her redeeming or renewing it.
Trust me here- John Steinbeck and Stephen King could not invent a story I haven't heard!
EVERY strata of society occasionally use a pawnshop, including doctors, lawyers, accountants, bankers, and preachers. The fact is, people use a pawn shop for ANY reason you can possibly think of that people need money. Unexpected repairs, emergency travel, normal bills, laid off, illness, drug habits, etc, etc.....
My policy was that if an item was still unsold, the original pawner, or family thereof, could redeem it for whatever was owed on it, no matter how late they were.
I tend to believe the story here.....pawnbrokers rarely chase a good deal they give by mistake. Better to just let it roll, satisfied that the buyer will spread the word about what good buys can be had at THAT shop.
There is a SIMPLE fix here- get her phone number, or agree to meet her at the shop at an appointed time. She may have been sick, unemployed, or out of town when it came due. Or, she may have loaned it to a brother or kid to pawn when they needed money, and not realized they were defaulting.
It could not hurt to talk to her, and see what "feel" you get from the story. I am sure I got conned many a time, but I always figured it was better to err on the side of kindness rather than being hard.
If you decide to let her have it, let the shop book it back in, with the understanding that you get to witness the transaction of her redeeming or renewing it.
G
Guest
Lee;
I did the Pawn Shop Detail - just one of many Details at the same time - for a while as an LEO and I agree you hear all the Stories especially, since it was part of the "Burglary" Detail as well. The stories I heard came both from the Shop Owners and the person who was doing the Pawning - if they could be found - when an "item" showed up on the "Hot Sheet"!
But, you didn't say what you did when the item had already been "Sold" when the person/family member or whatever finally showed up to make their Claim.
You also said:
I would "amend" this to say that if 'her' choice is to renew the ticket then "All bets are off." The gun stays with coneten. Because I'm very sure 'she' likely still has many other items sitting around like TV set(s) etc. that should have come first - in my opinion!
Right now just how many people are defaulting on Home Loans but have a very Large Screen TV or Hummer or Jag sitting around - if not all three!!!
handejector
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It did not happen that often. There is a 10 day grace period in Georgia, during which the pledge cannot be sold. It legally became the property of the shop on the 11th day. I developed a "feel" for whether or not the pledger would be back in that 10 day period, and decided whether or not I would pull it on the 11th day. I often called people trying to remind them. If I got a disconnected number, I pretty well knew they weren't coming. With an item that had been renewed at least once, I waited 2 or 3 weeks, or maybe the full month. With items that had been renewed several times, I often waited 2 or 3 months.
I explained the terms with every loan, also explaining that possession of the ticket under Ga law imparted full title to anyone who would identify themselves and pay the redemption, meaning one should keep up with where the ticket was! The ticket had the full address and phone number, and I always recommended taking a card for the shop, so contacting me was easy enough IF someone wanted to let me know they would be late.
Sooooooo, I only occasionally had someone come in, wanting to redeem or renew a sold item. In that case, they were simply told, "Sorry, I sold it. Why didn't you call me?" As I said, though- with regulars and people that I assumed had pawned something dear to them out of desparation NOT involving drugs, I often waited many months.
I disagree- people simply cannot live without the TV. They deem it better to pawn Granpa's gun which simply lays in a drawer every day rather than something they use everyday. It is quite possible she may HAVE to renew if life is going hard for her, and get it back later.
G
Guest
Sorry, Lee, I don't buy that one. And, that is why many people are in the position they are today. If this gun "Really" meant 'something special' then it wouldn't be in the Pawn Shop to begin with.
Too many people simply don't know the difference between "Needs - Necessary Items" and the "I want it" syndrome. They are also the same ones who believe they have a "Right" to drive a car and a new one at that.
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