You can cut out the middle man. For $300 @ I'll tell you all kind of war stories. All guaranteed true. That will save you the cost and hassle of gun purchase.
SW18-Does the story brings premium?
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Walter Rego
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If the gun were a pre-Model 18 made in 1946 or 1947 with the gold box that the veteran bought after returning from his WWII service and it mostly sat on a shelf for the last 70+ years, $1100 would be more than a fair price.
For a 1980 Model 18-3 with blue box, I'd say $1100 is about what many retail shops would try to sell that gun for but several hundred dollars high for a private party or gun show deal.
For a 1980 Model 18-3 with blue box, I'd say $1100 is about what many retail shops would try to sell that gun for but several hundred dollars high for a private party or gun show deal.
Lobster Picnic
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Ask them if there's a discount without the story 
My Grandpa didn't get more for his cottage, truck or RV because he was a decorated airborne combat engineer from WW2. I don't see how the story would bring value to an object that was made 35 years after the war ended.
The value is more in the story than in the object although the object leads us to the story and hopefully more and more of the story.
We have very few WWII vets with us and soon there will be none. Most of the guns we acquire are purchased for their utilitarian or collector value or just because we wanted them. We don't know who had them before and if we wanted to know it is usually impossible to find out. No big deal.
For me though there is a little extra buzz in knowing the history of folks who "lived through interesting times" and lived to tell about it and to handle the guns they owned and used is even better. I think there are a few folks here who feel fortunate to own LEO owned weapons and to be able to reconstruct the history of those owners and their guns. Even to trace a gun to a particular police department gets some of us excited and I think would justify something of a premium in value to get the story.
I have a pre-27 that I probably paid too much for and didn't know it had a story until I got the S&W letter which confirmed it went to the Kansas City Police Department, perhaps one of the very last they bought. Quite a bit of interest here in 357s that went to KC especially the Registered Magnums. If I could find the link to the officer that used/owned it I would have happily paid a bit more than I did.
Anyway, that's what makes a market, some folks are willing to buy, others not. By the way, if that Combat Engineer Grandpa of yours brought home a Luger or two and you have it and the capture papers I'll be happy to make you an offer. . . .especially if you have the story of how he acquired it.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
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You can't shoot the story. You can shoot the gun. IF it's important why are they selling it? Lots of manure out there. Don't step in it.
No. It's worth what every other 18 in the same condition and configuration is worth. . .
No luger. Just a little beretta 32. Said he got it off a dead German in Italy. My uncle has it now and its not leaving the family, well not as long as I am alive. I get how a story or the items history can add value but to me something that was bought well after the war or event doesn't get me excited. Now if it was a 1911 the guy had while flying his bomber missions, that would make sense to me and add the extra value.
Yes, and that's the point of considering the M18 in this case. It apparently has with it at least (and maybe more) an obit from the owner. That lead can turn in to so much more, perhaps including finding that 1911 you mention.
As I said above, buying a Registered Magnum led to a very interesting story, essentially the 30+ years of military service by the owner. Eventually I acquired pictures, unit history including a 50 page day by day record of its D Day to VE Day fighting. That led to his two 2nd Model HEs and to his 1911 service pistol which I intend to acquire as well.
Either we have an interest in this kind of history or we don't. No problem either way but in my case I'd buy the M18 at the best price I could, after checking with the family to be sure the obit info is correct. As to the $1100 price, in "excellent + condition with box and papers," it isn't priced out of the range I see them for where I shop; high, but not ridiculously so.
By the way, that little Beretta 32 would be priceless if it were in my family.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
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