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.
handejector
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I don't mean that is my personal opinion- I have NEVER had cable or a dish for TV at my home. I still use an antenna! Just merely stating what has become a fact- TV is everything to many people- news, entertainment, theater, distraction, and babysitter.
Trust me- after 9 yrs at 6 days a week, I know the foibiles of the human race.
IF you want to extend your philosophy a bit further, can you REALLY justify a "need" for MORE than ONE handgun, ONE cf rifle, ONE shotgun, and ONE 22 rifle?
My point was that SOME of my customers were actually responsible people that HAD to pawn something when they hit a rough spot, and this lady might qualify. An example would be a single mother who works, whose ex just got fired/laid off/locked up, and just found out she needs a $1200 transmission so she can keep driving to work. People just don't have a cushion for a rainy day anymore.......
Originally posted by handejector:
I don't mean that is my personal opinion- I have NEVER had cable or a dish for TV at my home. I still use an antenna! Just merely stating what has become a fact- TV is everything to many people- news, entertainment, theater, distraction, and babysitter.
Trust me- after 9 yrs at 6 days a week, I know the foibiles of the human race.
IF you want to extend your philosophy a bit further, can you REALLY justify a "need" for MORE than ONE handgun, ONE cf rifle, ONE shotgun, and ONE 22 rifle?
My point was that SOME of my customers were actually responsible people that HAD to pawn something when they hit a rough spot, and this lady might qualify. An example would be a single mother who works, whose ex just got fired/laid off/locked up, and just found out she needs a $1200 transmission so she can keep driving to work. People just don't have a cushion for a rainy day anymore.......
Lee
What is an antenna?
G
Guest
On this we agree 100%!!!
Hoot
US Veteran
coneten, if it were me, I'd like to know (for sure) the whole story. Generally I'm something of a cynic, but people do fall on hard times now and then, and strange things do happen.
I sold a family gun a couple of years ago, an ugly, re-nickeled, .38 S&W, top break, single action, and I'd give the buyer a profit if I could get it back. My bad.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/500103904/m/4061071333
Good luck, either way!
I sold a family gun a couple of years ago, an ugly, re-nickeled, .38 S&W, top break, single action, and I'd give the buyer a profit if I could get it back. My bad.
http://smith-wessonforum.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/500103904/m/4061071333
Good luck, either way!
BUFF
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
A lot of folks don't understand pawn shops. A pawn shop is usually LENDING cash to the pawner. The pawned item is collateral for the loan.
A lot of folks are always broke for reasons ranging from chronic illness or injuries to laziness. A sudden expense arises, they have no credit or credit cards, so they borrow at the pawn shop.
Banks aren't in the habit of writing loans for $50, $100, $200. Pawn shops have been the poor man's small bank for a long time.
When I worked burglary squad, I got to know some pawn brokers pretty well. They told me it varied from item to item, but probably 75% of the guns that they loaned money on, were redeemed by the pawners. Some pawners would pawn the same item time and again, for years, whenever they got in a money pinch. Well over half the stuff they took in was redeemed by the owners paying off the loan.
Pawn brokers also offer to buy some stuff outright. They also buy new, in-the-box merchandise from normal wholesalers to sell. Some folks are not educated or savvy buyers and would scarf up the new items for prices higher than they would pay at WalMart or K-Mart, thinking because it is a pawn shop, it must be a good deal.
I'd meet with the woman and at least hear her sob story.
A lot of folks are always broke for reasons ranging from chronic illness or injuries to laziness. A sudden expense arises, they have no credit or credit cards, so they borrow at the pawn shop.
Banks aren't in the habit of writing loans for $50, $100, $200. Pawn shops have been the poor man's small bank for a long time.
When I worked burglary squad, I got to know some pawn brokers pretty well. They told me it varied from item to item, but probably 75% of the guns that they loaned money on, were redeemed by the pawners. Some pawners would pawn the same item time and again, for years, whenever they got in a money pinch. Well over half the stuff they took in was redeemed by the owners paying off the loan.
Pawn brokers also offer to buy some stuff outright. They also buy new, in-the-box merchandise from normal wholesalers to sell. Some folks are not educated or savvy buyers and would scarf up the new items for prices higher than they would pay at WalMart or K-Mart, thinking because it is a pawn shop, it must be a good deal.
I'd meet with the woman and at least hear her sob story.
I am going to wait until after the Thanksgiving weekend to resolve this. A few years ago I bought a first year production Winchester 9422M in a gun shop. It had a tarnished brass butt plate instead of the original. I was curious and removed it..and there was an inscription.."To Daddy from James and Ronnie." Also "H. Dollander" and the town in the next county. I got curious and called the two numbers with that surname..the first directed me to the second with a disclaimer.." Thats them other Dollanders. Don't tell them you spoke with me." The second number was the stepmother, recent widow, who sold the rifle unbeknownst to the sons. She did not know about the inscription and got real anxious and wanted it back..but did not have the money. I told her to call me when she did..same price as what I pad for the rifle in the shop where she sold the rifle. About 3 months later she called saying she still wanted it but no money. Never heard from her again.
Landpimp
Member
rental house down the road from me, now occupied by someone who "lost" his home....but the garage is filled with a Farrai, 69 Chevelle big block, HummerII, Expedition and a BMW........if I mentioned the persons name KKG would know it I bet
pawn shops want the person to come back for the item, then come back and repawn it over and over again.
I was very tempted to open a Pawn shop here in town, this was a few years ago, but realized I didnt think I would feel good seeing the hardships in my own town and my own friends and neighbors....in hindsight I should have seeing whats happened to the ecconomy, but money isnt everthing
pawn shops want the person to come back for the item, then come back and repawn it over and over again.
I was very tempted to open a Pawn shop here in town, this was a few years ago, but realized I didnt think I would feel good seeing the hardships in my own town and my own friends and neighbors....in hindsight I should have seeing whats happened to the ecconomy, but money isnt everthing
greenberry
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Any update on this? The way I see it you should keep the revolver. A friend of mine worked at a gun store, a retired vet at that, and bought a Winchester M1 Garand. Well the Garand had been in lay-a-way for a while by another vet. Needless to say the lay-a-way time ran out by a month or so and the shop owner sold the rifle to m friend. The lay-a-way guy showed up to pay the rest of the rifle off but the rifle was no longer in the safe. Well a big deal came about where my friend was guilt ridden into returning the rifle--store owner said he would make it right. Now get this, making it right was not by taking a Garand out of his collection but to give my friend a store credit of the original price and 50 bucks more. My friend got screwed out of a nice Garand. Live and learn.
charlie sherrill
Member
Here's the main point in this deal: If it was such a valued,treasured heirloom WHY DID SHE PAWN IT IN THE FIRST PLACE? She could have pawned any number of items besides the Victory. You got a good deal. Keep it with a clear conscience.
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