Two Combat Masterpieces

[standerson]

A relative of mine recently passed away. His widow called wanting me to look "at a couple of guns" to give her a value.

She handed me a walnut presentation box "I just found these". Inside were a Model 15-3 and 18-3 Combat Masterpiece.

Immaculate. My guess is the 15-3 is almost 100% and the 18-3 is 98%.

He tried to lowball her on the price and she offered them to me.

Pictures later.

 

[S.B.]

Low ball? What did he offer and what would you offer? Walnut presentation case or Philippine mahogany? Pictures please if you can?
Steve

 

[jackvs1]

Looking forward to seeing the photo's.

 

[fat tom]

He tried to lowball her on the price and she offered them to me.

"He" who? A local dealer? Friend? Acquaintance? How do you know it was a lowball offer? Did she tell you how much it was? Is she gun value savvy enough to realize the approximate going rate or did you tell her it was a lowball offer?
Now,to wag the value,I would say about $1200 total if she includes the case. JMO,FWIW.
f.t.

 

[bigwagon]

I assumed he was talking about the brother in law (which he has now edited out). You know how they can be.

 

[standerson]

Yea, the BIL. She knows about as much about guns as I do women. Soon as I figure out how to post the pic, I will.

 

[standerson]

Low ball? What did he offer and what would you offer? Walnut presentation case or Philippine mahogany? Pictures please if you can?
Steve

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=189699&stc=1&d=1426982508

 

[standerson]

Her brother in law told her they were only worth about $750. I did some research and gave her a $1250 number. I had no intention of getting in a bidding war, I was just trying to help her.

She told him, he's out.

She wants me to buy them. We'll have to get together on a price.

There goes my gun budget.

 

[standerson]

http://smith-wessonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=189752&stc=1&d=1427027713

 

[g8rb8]

If you are trying to figure out what a fair price is then the $1250 you proposed seems like a fair price between relatives however you may have been a little generous but not by much? If she sells to you she doesn't have to worry about who she's selling to, she doesn't have to worry about placing ads and paying for the ads or answering them, and she doesn't have auction fees to pay. I imagine retail asking price for these two guns might be roughly $1500 and an out the door retail price might be closer to $1300-1400.

 

[standerson]

She has a daughter. I told her these need to stay in the family but the daughter, nor her children, have any interest. The Brother In Law is a ****. There is a "family price" and then there is a "fair price".

I didn't intend to start a bidding war. Just wanted to make sure she didn't get taken advantage of.

Kinda hosed myself.

 

[jackvs1]

I have a 15-2 and an 18-2; numbered grips, tools, and original labeled box. I would think, combined, they would sell for $1500 - $1600. Not sure you have original boxes or numbered grips? The presentation is nice; thats just an extra. Good Luck

 

[jframejoey]

"Kinda hosed myself." yea and no. You paid almost top dollar but its family. You loved him (no not the BIL) and you love her. You didnt want them leaving the family or her to get ripped off. Plus a widowed grandmother now has over a G to spend on bills or vacation this summer.

 

[arjay]

Keep your favorite of the two and offer the other at full market price to the bil.

 

[standerson]

I try and treat fairly because if you don't, it will back up on you and Karma will bite you in the butt.

She doesn't need the money. I stopped by and fixed a lock at her house today. "Just pay me when every you can, don't worry about it"

Range trip! The .22 shoots low left, the .38 high left.

 

[silentflyer]

Karma will make sure in the long run, something good will find it's way to you and Karma will also send something not so good to the BIL.

Do unto others...

 

[standerson]

Some how we now own 5 Smiths. Post war M&P .38, these two, Mod 59 (my first handgun) and a M&P .45 (my edc).

 

[Goblin]

Don't worry, this is precisely what gun budgets are for.

 

[Peak53]

sights

Try this diagram

 

[M29since14]

...I didn't intend to start a bidding war. Just wanted to make sure she didn't get taken advantage of.

Kinda hosed myself.

You didn't hose yourself at all! You did the right thing and it was something to be proud of. People who take advantage of widows in gun deals because "she didn't need the money" (among dozens of other "excuses") are a pet peeve - and disgusting. Either pay a fair price or try to help her get a fair price. Exactly what you did. Good for you.