Strange things in strange places...

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One place I've actually discovered some S&W stuff is...

Goodwill.com

Yeah, I know... I know... but it's a place that has weird stuff.

I.E. Someone replaced their grips with a set of Pachmayr and the original grips wound up at Goodwill.

There are quite a few S&W knives and other S&W collectables wind up there too like what looks like a 1950's die cast blue and white Smith & Wesson coin bank van.

Something to check out from time to time at any rate.

(Those are a couple of current items I've mentioned... if this post is over a week old, who knows what's up there now...)
 
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One place I've actually discovered some S&W stuff is...

Goodwill.com

Yeah, I know... I know... but it's a place that has weird stuff.

I.E. Someone replaced their grips with a set of Pachmayr and the original grips wound up at Goodwill.

There are quite a few S&W knives and other S&W collectables wind up there too like what looks like a 1950's die cast blue and white Smith & Wesson coin bank van.

Something to check out from time to time at any rate.

(Those are a couple of current items I've mentioned... if this post is over a week old, who knows what's up there now...)

I got my first Registered Magnum at Goodwill! Was in a pair of well worn overalls.
 
I picked up a really nice fishing reel at GW for $3. Then I proceeded to run it over in the parking lot first trip out.:(

I was under the impression that I was the only one that did these things.
Example: as soon as I received a S&W Safety Hammerless .38 I immediately dropped it on a tile floor and destroyed the left grip.
 
When we started snowbirding we found duplicates of the old kitchen stuff we really liked at Goodwill. Good way to get a second establishment up and running.
 
My friend bought what looked like a bad art project. Turns out it was a plum pudding mold. She paid $3 for it and sold it for $50. She ran an antique shop.
 
Wife and I will "research" a town/city. Making notes on the locations of thrift stores/Good Will, Pawn shops and 2nd Hand stores....Then one day day we will "carpet bomb" that town's stores........GW's near us only have dumpster junk.
 
About 15 years ago, I found this Model 10-2, unfired in the original box at antique show! Not rare, but given its age and immaculate condition, I couldn't resist! It dates to May, 1962. Note the perfectly-fitted plainclothes curved-bottom stocks!

John


(Click for larger image)
 
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I have never found anything of major interest at Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. stores, but I remember a story that back in the 1990s, someone picked up an exceedingly rare Flying Tigers leather flight jacket at one of the local charity stores. I don’t remember the details. You can be fairly sure that there won’t be many real treasures to be found at such places. The employees will grab them before they ever hit the sales floor. They know what to look for.
 
I was under the impression that I was the only one that did these things.
Example: as soon as I received a S&W Safety Hammerless .38 I immediately dropped it on a tile floor and destroyed the left grip.

Then keep with the broken grip a lifetime and never drop it again...
 
When we moved, I was amazed at my wife's and my differences in what to leave at Goodwill. We left a few items that would make me upset if I found the guy at the door took. Lot of folk downsize as they age, and giving it to Goodwill is easier than trying to sell it. Never know what one might find, or leave, at Goodwill.
 
Some things I’ve found at Goodwill:
Huks Bruks axe - $7
W.C. Russell bullhide snake boots - $20
Gore-Tex suit issued to Naval Academy sailing team (new with tags) - $110.
Redwing Engineer boots - $7
Leather flight jacket - $25
New Coleman camp stove - $7
The list goes on and on.
 
I happened to be at a Goodwill store in downtown San Diego in about 1955 as they unloaded a truck of donated item. There was a G.I. footlocker I recognized as WW2 issue, having recently been discharged from the Army. it was pad locked, with no key, but heavy, and I offered $50, as is. They took it and I hauled it home and broke off the lock. Contents were souvenirs of a European theater GI's WW2 combat tour. 1/2 doz Luger & Walther pistols, mucho Nazi daggers, medals, banners, etc & a huge solid sterling silver trumpet with SS banner. Proceeds from those items bought a lot of great S&Ws over time ! Ed
 
I found for $12, a pack of two Bailey 12guage to 20 gauge reducer bbl sleeves new in package for break action shotguns….still new in package today, I never tried them in the double bbl 12 guage that I had at the time, and have since sold the shotgun…. May try them in father-inlaw’s double sometime…..I heard Bailey is a good brand…I have no experience with them….
 

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