Maximumbob54
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Just like gold, guns will always be worth something. I won't say you should invest in guns instead of savings, but they do say to "diversify"… 
Update on the Widow's Guns
- Thread starter redlevel
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Bravo. You have honor, you have earned respect, and you have helped the less fortunate. Few things in life will make you feel better inside than that.
BillBingham2
Member
As some friends from Down Under say.....Good On You Mate!
When my father died my sister got his guns, not a lot, but a few beautiful ones. She had no clue how much they were worth so sold them to the jerk (known to be a jerk from a much earlier time) next door. He said they were worth $200. Even 20 years ago a German made PPK was worth more. I did not hear about it quick enough to stop/fix it.
While I wish it was not so, I think there a fewer great folks like you in the world that we need.
Great to see a follow-up on these sort of happenings. Not only did you do parents proud, you also did well by her husband.
Thanks.
B2
When my father died my sister got his guns, not a lot, but a few beautiful ones. She had no clue how much they were worth so sold them to the jerk (known to be a jerk from a much earlier time) next door. He said they were worth $200. Even 20 years ago a German made PPK was worth more. I did not hear about it quick enough to stop/fix it.
While I wish it was not so, I think there a fewer great folks like you in the world that we need.
Great to see a follow-up on these sort of happenings. Not only did you do parents proud, you also did well by her husband.
Thanks.
B2
I already knew you were a good Man but nice ending to a great story.
Looking forward to Highway Patrolman thread
Looking forward to Highway Patrolman thread
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Thankfully she had you instead of going onto a pawn shop or something, I am sure you got her 3-4 times what she would have offered.
You did what was right
Always do that which is right. This will satisfy some and amaze the rest. - Mark Twain
Members like you exemplify the fine character found on this forum.
Bekeart
Always do that which is right. This will satisfy some and amaze the rest. - Mark Twain
Members like you exemplify the fine character found on this forum.
Bekeart
OP
Well, thanks for all this approbation. Let me tell you about the super deal I got on the Highway Patrolman and see if you feel the same way.
Lola had told me there were only long guns. When I first looked at them, they were all wrapped up in old bed sheets. I started getting them three or four at the time, taking them to my home, cleaning them up and advertising them.
About a week after I first saw the guns, and after I had called in my friend to help sort them, I got a call. It was Bill, my friend. He was at Lola's house getting a bunch of scattered loose ammo he had bought. "We found another bunch of guns," he told me. "There are three handguns wrapped in another old sheet. A 1911A1, some kind of S&W 9mm semi-auto, and a big S&W .357 revolver." I thought he was joking with me. I had mentioned wanting a Model 28 earlier. He started reading off the barrel, "Says 'Highway Patrolman' on the barrel." I really thought he was fooling with me then.
Anyhow, turned out it was a 28-2, P&R. When I got there, I saw that it had flecks of surface rust on the sideplate and barrel, and a little more serious rust on the butt around the serial #. I checked the cylinder, noticing that it didn't want to open. I thumb-cocked the action, and it was almost bound up. I cycled it double-action twice and stopped, fearing that I was going to do damage. The thing is, I don't believe the gun had been fired since it left the factory, but it had never seen a drop of oil, either. I knew, or at least believed, that a thorough detail cleaning would fix just about anything that was wrong with it.
I told Lola that I really wanted the gun for my colletion. I told her that in the condition it was in, a pawn shop or dealer would give her maybe $150. (I can hear him now: "Lady, this old gun is so rusted up I can't even pull the trigger. I'll give you $100.") She immediately said for me to take it for that. I said, "No ma'm, I will give you $250 for it, because I can work on it some and make it a $400-$450 gun, or take it to a gunsmith and pay him $150 to do the same thing."
So I got a pretty nice HP out of the deal for $250. She would have taken $100. I made it clear to her that I was paying wholesale, and that the gun cleaned up and slicked up a little would bring more. She realized that I was spending at least an hour or more on practically each of the guns, just getting them presentable.
I took it apart and got it functioning pretty good, but I am either going to have to do more myself, or take it to a 'smith. The cylinder still doesn't open to my satisfaction, and I don't know exactly what I need to do to that front side plate screw to remedy. this.
Interestingly, I believe the satin finish came through the 25-30 years of neglect a whole lot better than a bright blue finish would have. The rust didn't leave pits the way rust on the bright finished guns seems to. There were even flecks of rust inside the side plate, and the action was bone dry. Usually, I expect to find the action on neglected guns gummed up, but this one had never seen a drop of oil.
Bill bought the 1911A1, which was pitted worse than the 28. I sold the Sigma for her for $250, which I thought was pretty good, considering the deals S&W has been running on new ones.
Lola had told me there were only long guns. When I first looked at them, they were all wrapped up in old bed sheets. I started getting them three or four at the time, taking them to my home, cleaning them up and advertising them.
About a week after I first saw the guns, and after I had called in my friend to help sort them, I got a call. It was Bill, my friend. He was at Lola's house getting a bunch of scattered loose ammo he had bought. "We found another bunch of guns," he told me. "There are three handguns wrapped in another old sheet. A 1911A1, some kind of S&W 9mm semi-auto, and a big S&W .357 revolver." I thought he was joking with me. I had mentioned wanting a Model 28 earlier. He started reading off the barrel, "Says 'Highway Patrolman' on the barrel." I really thought he was fooling with me then.
Anyhow, turned out it was a 28-2, P&R. When I got there, I saw that it had flecks of surface rust on the sideplate and barrel, and a little more serious rust on the butt around the serial #. I checked the cylinder, noticing that it didn't want to open. I thumb-cocked the action, and it was almost bound up. I cycled it double-action twice and stopped, fearing that I was going to do damage. The thing is, I don't believe the gun had been fired since it left the factory, but it had never seen a drop of oil, either. I knew, or at least believed, that a thorough detail cleaning would fix just about anything that was wrong with it.
I told Lola that I really wanted the gun for my colletion. I told her that in the condition it was in, a pawn shop or dealer would give her maybe $150. (I can hear him now: "Lady, this old gun is so rusted up I can't even pull the trigger. I'll give you $100.") She immediately said for me to take it for that. I said, "No ma'm, I will give you $250 for it, because I can work on it some and make it a $400-$450 gun, or take it to a gunsmith and pay him $150 to do the same thing."
So I got a pretty nice HP out of the deal for $250. She would have taken $100. I made it clear to her that I was paying wholesale, and that the gun cleaned up and slicked up a little would bring more. She realized that I was spending at least an hour or more on practically each of the guns, just getting them presentable.
I took it apart and got it functioning pretty good, but I am either going to have to do more myself, or take it to a 'smith. The cylinder still doesn't open to my satisfaction, and I don't know exactly what I need to do to that front side plate screw to remedy. this.
Interestingly, I believe the satin finish came through the 25-30 years of neglect a whole lot better than a bright blue finish would have. The rust didn't leave pits the way rust on the bright finished guns seems to. There were even flecks of rust inside the side plate, and the action was bone dry. Usually, I expect to find the action on neglected guns gummed up, but this one had never seen a drop of oil.
Bill bought the 1911A1, which was pitted worse than the 28. I sold the Sigma for her for $250, which I thought was pretty good, considering the deals S&W has been running on new ones.
HCD
Member
RE: The sale of widows guns.
Sir: Please let me give you a cyber space firm hand shake and a tip of my Stetson. Job well done.
Sir: Please let me give you a cyber space firm hand shake and a tip of my Stetson. Job well done.
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Red-you did completely fine by her in every step of this transaction, if she decides to give you a gun in appreciation that is her decision. You paid a fiar price for that 28 given the condition it was in. If she takes it to a smith and pays the $150 and sells it for $400 she is in exactly the same place.
Folks, you're just confused! This is the Smith & Wesson Forum and this is the way members conduct business, help others, and offer prayers when needed.
It is what we do and what we are. Gun owners are a better class of people and S&W Forum members are the best gun owners.
Now carry on with pride.
It is what we do and what we are. Gun owners are a better class of people and S&W Forum members are the best gun owners.
Now carry on with pride.
BillBingham2
Member
I've seen several that are not even close. We have many who are just touched in special ways. A few who have more money then brains (young man who brought an AR-50, M14, AK-47, AR-15, etc.... to the range last weekend) and some who have it all together, good people no question.
100% agreement here. I think part of that comes from the classic, robust, ultra reliability that is a Smith and Wesson. Doesn't just throw lead down range but allows you to place it where you want it. While it's no doubt fun to do it from time to time it's not what motivates folks here.
This like Rangefinderforum is one of the great places on the net. Kind of makes up for some of the trash out there, at least to me.
B2
I just joined this forum and I must say it was great to read about what you did to help the widow.
If you are like the others who post on this forum, I definitely made the right decision to come here. It's obviously a great place.
To B2: I recognize you from the Rangefinder Forum, which is also a great place. What a small world it is!
Cheers,
Ellen
If you are like the others who post on this forum, I definitely made the right decision to come here. It's obviously a great place.
To B2: I recognize you from the Rangefinder Forum, which is also a great place. What a small world it is!
Cheers,
Ellen
I'm proud of you, Sir. That lady is fortunate to have you as a friend. I think many of us have experienced this in the circles of friends and acquaintances we have. People know we are "gun people" and they come to us with questions. It never ceases to amaze me when I hear stories like this. The media would have us believe we are all a bunch of hicks who would take advantage of each other. There are certainly those types out there, but I think they are in the minority.
Enjoy your HP, my friend. You did right by this lady, you are a Gentleman.
Jim
Enjoy your HP, my friend. You did right by this lady, you are a Gentleman.
Jim
Good job, Red. I'm going through the same process right now for a friend of mine who passed away suddenly. He had always told his wife to come to me for help if such a thing came to pass. The hardest part for me is identifying all the little accessories and parts he had squirreled away everywhere.
You did right by the widow. Congratulations. Another fine member of this Forum. I did about the same thing only in reverse. My good buddy passed away 8 years ago. Left some nice firearms to his daughter who knew nothing about guns. I had a good friend that had a gun shop in his garage, took him 6 guns & he sold them & I gave all the money to the daughter. I still am in touch with the daughter by Email.
Kudos to you. Job well done.
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