Thoughts on Gustave Young engraved and gold inlaid Model 1 1/2

[mrcvs]

A few valid points to address.

This firearm is not really a firearm. It's a work of art.

Also, I think I'm kidding myself when I said I didn't want to take a bath, but was okay with losing a few dollars on it over the long run. Not really…and hence my conservative bidding.

And, others pointed out the slide in this type of stuff. In 10 years this revolver might only be worth 20k.

The stock market increases about 7 % a year. In a decade, an investment should ideally double in value, like the stock market ideally does. So, this revolver should thus be worth twice what it sold for in 10 years. Do I honestly think it will be worth 60k in 10 years? Probably not a chance. I guess you buy it and have about 30 k in it, enjoy it for 25 years, and hope you get 35k back after seller's fees. And so, a really poor investment! But it certainly performed better than a stock like Enron.

I guess now that I think about this further, it's probably best I didn't win this one and I should instead invest 30k in an S & P index fund. But that's simply not a work of art.

 

[ameridaddy]

Sir, beautiful gun. But what the hell are those two gold inlays?

Bacchus and wife awakened from a drunken sleep?

 

[iby]

Mr. iby, not schooling anyone, not my intent. Want to be schooled on the gun. Your opinion much appreciated.

No offense given or taken
Mike

 

[mmaher94087]

As Alfred E. Newman would say: "What, me worry.". I buy because I like the item and only if it is affordable considering my station in life. Invest for profit? NO. Buy for enjoyment, yes. Anything that I own is like buying a theater ticket every day. When I'm gone there will be a note on the last line of the For Sale Add: "Provenance: The Mike Maher Collection". In the mean time, I get the enjoyment.

 

[gmborkovic]

Mike, no problem. I have also been corrected that the item in question is not a gun, but a piece of art. Have to agree, even though the gold inlays are by far the most unusual I have ever seen in my 60 yrs. of admiring the engraving art from this period. Even though I have grown fond of squirrels and even groundhogs and badgers.

 

[Club Gun Fan]

One reason it went slow low is look where it was sold! Amoskeag hardly gets the good prices. Most items sold there wind up in better auction houses.

 

[BMur]

Low ball

I like buying low.
I got this one yesterday for a $1300 bid. Of course after fee,…..fee,….,tax, and shipping a bit more but I'm happy. Any cased and engraved antique Smith & Wesson for less than $2,000 is a really good deal. Especially the scarce 22cal cased antiques. Not a lot out there. I really like the ivory(bone) bore rod.

Murph

 

[mrcvs]

One reason it went slow low is look where it was sold! Amoskeag hardly gets the good prices. Most items sold there wind up in better auction houses.

In this case, I think it was the subject matter of the inlays. As I said, I like it, others may not.

It opened at 25k, meaning there were a few bids already on it. I wanted to place a 25 k bid, and actually bid over my high desired bid from the start at 26 k, and the next 27k bid took it.

I think it sold exactly at what it is really worth, independent of the particular auction house.

 

[JSR III]

Not sure who the individuals are but most likely they had some connection to the event or group that the gun was engraved for. Perhaps the coach and his wife or the originators of the sport.

Regardless of who they are, the engravers portrayal of them is very detailed and that alone makes this piece unique. The fact that there is also the D.B. Wesson connection sets this revolver apart from many others.

To the OP's original question, I don't own any engraved guns nor have I ever chased them so my opinion may be worthless however, I find this gun a work of art and if I had hit the recent power ball jackpot I would be its current caretaker.

 

[Boulder350]

In my opinion the figures are rather whimsical. My guess is they are from German or European folklore. It may be worthwhile to do some research on what characters were popular in the 1850's in Germany. That could greatly increase the perceived value of the revolver.

 

[gmborkovic]

Mark, best idea I have heard so far. Whimsical is a perfect description.