rpg0123
Member
I know these terms are relative, but when a seller says a revolver from this time period (late 60's/early 70's) is in "very good" condition, what would that mean to you as a buyer?
"Very good" condition?
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HAWKEYE10
Member
If you are buying a gun ask them for a percentage as to what the condition is. A gun that is good, very good, or fine leaves a lot of room for fudging. While a percent gets to the point. JMO Don
I agree with Don and most honest sellers will grade the precentage conservativley but for some a 90% gun is a 95 % gun when they are selling. High resolution pictures are the best way next to actually seeing the gun before the buy. I have always been pleased with guns bought off of this forum classified and even Gunbroker when good pictures were provided.
to me it means that I'd better ask for some detailed pictures and/or want to see it in person.
RalphK22
Member
I reproduce wood for the woodie station wagons of the 30s 40s and 50s. I once had a call from a gentleman who said he had in 1947 Ford sportsman that was pristine except all the wood had rotted off of it????!
From that I've learned it's best to see it firsthand, or at least have some really good pictures.
From that I've learned it's best to see it firsthand, or at least have some really good pictures.
OP
rpg0123
Member
Different gun, but related question. What about holster wear? If a gun were "like new" mechanically, no rust, no scratches, etc, but had some holster wear, would that turn you off as a buyer? Is holster wear not as big of a deal to most buyers compared to other types of damage?
Slow Draw
Member
Pictures are nice so long as the person taking them has a decent camera and they know what they are doing. I just went through
an ordeal with pictures of a gun I was interested in. I gave them a detailed list of what pictures I wanted to see (about eight in all)
and every time the pictures of the cylinder were blurred and out of focus. After downloading about 20 MB of photo's I finally got
fed up with it and told them I was no longer interested. One thing to keep in mind is that it is very easy to hide things with a camera,
after all they control what you see.
an ordeal with pictures of a gun I was interested in. I gave them a detailed list of what pictures I wanted to see (about eight in all)
and every time the pictures of the cylinder were blurred and out of focus. After downloading about 20 MB of photo's I finally got
fed up with it and told them I was no longer interested. One thing to keep in mind is that it is very easy to hide things with a camera,
after all they control what you see.
Giving percentages on the condition of anything is far more arbitrary then saying something is in poor, fair, good, very good or excellent condition. Sure it leaves a lot for interpretation but then so does 95% or 85% or 65%. Percentages don't mean a dang thing when it comes to rating a product. Do you list your slightly used car with 5K miles as 95-98%%? No, its either very good or excellent. Enough with the percentages!!
The percentage system refers to what percent of original finish remains on the gun. It's not a perfect way to describe the condition, but i'm not sure there is a better way. If your dealing with an honest seller with a good reputation it helps
depends
Depends on what type of buyer you are. Some collectors want a pristine gun with little evidence, if any, of having been fired. If you are buying the gun to shoot and/or carry it may not bother you at all. However, in answer to your question, holster wear is certainly less of an issue with most buyers than rust or scratches (it is considered use, not damage). Also, the older the gun is the less holster wear affects the value - you'll see comments like 'honest wear'. Many sellers will also try to mask minor holster wear on the end of the barrel with cold blue. If I wanted the gun and the price was right, it wouldn't hold me back.
Depends on what type of buyer you are. Some collectors want a pristine gun with little evidence, if any, of having been fired. If you are buying the gun to shoot and/or carry it may not bother you at all. However, in answer to your question, holster wear is certainly less of an issue with most buyers than rust or scratches (it is considered use, not damage). Also, the older the gun is the less holster wear affects the value - you'll see comments like 'honest wear'. Many sellers will also try to mask minor holster wear on the end of the barrel with cold blue. If I wanted the gun and the price was right, it wouldn't hold me back.
borntoraisehogs
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Honest holster wear alone , that does not show rust or other damage will cause the market price to go down and my interest to go up accordingly . There are some really good cold blues if you just have to cover some of the white showing . I have some investments , but none of them are guns . I am not running a museum and they haven't made a gun that is too good to be carried and shot by me and my family , and I think the same thing goes for you .
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