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What am I missing?
- Thread starter iby
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orbruce
SWCA Member
I was wondering the same thing! This has got to be a record for a standard 32 SA even with a box. I did notice that the same two bidders ran the price of a 32 DA with box to over $4500.00 on another auction. Something else going on?
B. Mower
B. Mower
How 'bout this sequence of events?
In the beginning, an unknown number of enthusiastic folks said something on the order of "Damn---that's a nice one!"---------and fired off a bid-----probably in the neighborhood of what this thing's actually worth--so as to scare off the pretenders.
Some were scared off first crack out of the box! Some weren't!
And it progressed in pretty much the same fashion until there were only 2-3-4 folks left---maybe more---'cause it sure enough is a nice one.
Then one of these folks said something along the lines of "Alright, by God, this foolishness has gone on long enough!"
And then there wasn't anybody left---although there certainly could have been----for all the good it was going to do them.
Once somebody makes up their mind they're going to by a gun, and they don't care how much it costs, they're going to buy a gun----get used to it!
Ralph Tremaine
It should be noted the author of this tale has never bought a gun off of Gun Broker-----doesn't even know how to go about doing it. He has had a number of his guns sold on GB by his agent---who does know how to go about pretty much anything on GB---or any other similar facility---and he was entirely satisfied with the results.
In the beginning, an unknown number of enthusiastic folks said something on the order of "Damn---that's a nice one!"---------and fired off a bid-----probably in the neighborhood of what this thing's actually worth--so as to scare off the pretenders.
Some were scared off first crack out of the box! Some weren't!
And it progressed in pretty much the same fashion until there were only 2-3-4 folks left---maybe more---'cause it sure enough is a nice one.
Then one of these folks said something along the lines of "Alright, by God, this foolishness has gone on long enough!"
And then there wasn't anybody left---although there certainly could have been----for all the good it was going to do them.
Once somebody makes up their mind they're going to by a gun, and they don't care how much it costs, they're going to buy a gun----get used to it!
Ralph Tremaine
It should be noted the author of this tale has never bought a gun off of Gun Broker-----doesn't even know how to go about doing it. He has had a number of his guns sold on GB by his agent---who does know how to go about pretty much anything on GB---or any other similar facility---and he was entirely satisfied with the results.
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mmaher94087
SWCA Member
Extremely nice condition. There must have been two deep-pocket bidders that wanted it. I love these revolvers, but I would have dropped out at the $1200 mark. The barrel length is not a "rare length", and the box shows more wear than the gun. My experience has been that the 3" barrel is harder to find than the 3 1/2.
Friends don’t let friends buy on Gunbroker…
Yes, this revolver and box is worth $2000 tops, and that’s if you really, really want it. Closer to $1500 is more realistic, and ideally $1000 or a few hundred more. Including sales tax & shipping.
At $7,175.99, you have shipping as well, which means the cost was a minimum of $7,215.99 to any bidder. If there is sales tax, which most states have, you are looking at an additional 6% or so in most states, so tack on another $433 or so.
The numbers just don’t add up, especially for something like this.
I would normally suspect shill bidding, except the numbers are so extreme that I would expect a sensible shill bidder to fold long before this.
Add on another 2.9% if paying with credit card.
Lord...and I can't even get a bid for stuff I list. Guess I wont quit my day job..
We are always reminded of condition being the most important value adder out there, so one question? Does anyone remember ever seeing a 32 SA in that condition? It is literally perfect 100% without hardly a turn-line. I would venture to guess that there is no other example out there that can match it, making this a one-of-a-kind! Adding the original box is just icing on the cake.
There is rare and there is never encountered. Now how much is it worth? I guess we found out for this one. Must be Gunbroker's fault!
There is rare and there is never encountered. Now how much is it worth? I guess we found out for this one. Must be Gunbroker's fault!
I looked at the purchase history for the guy who came in second. In September he made 30 purchases totaling about $62,000. So maybe the guy just doesn't know what to do with his money so he buys guns.
I had another thought. Perhaps there are folks acting as buying agents for guys like Ralph who don't want to be bothered to follow the auctions, but want specific pieces. Many of the pieces losing bidder guy purchased are rare or unusual pieces.
A shill bidder would hopefully come in second, from the seller’s point of view, and so a shill bidder could easily make $62,000 worth of “purchases”, which are not successes. But what about the other bids that were “unsuccessful”? How much did he run up bids for others?
Just speculation, which is nothing more than speculation…
The results I indicated were from positive feedback from numerous sellers. Not likely a shill bidder.
Robert
BTW, how many recognize the winning bidders name? No looking it up!!!
A true story-----a bit incomplete, because I don't remember the gun involved----maybe a .32 Regulation Police Target that ended up here. If the punch line sounds familiar, it's because I've told this story before---but we never learn.
So---there's an auction coming up. David Carroll is going to be attending. He has been commissioned to buy this gun-----"AT ANY PRICE"!!
The day arrives. David inspects the gun---and calls his principal---"This is a nice gun, but it's not an "AT ANY PRICE" gun." The response: "I don't care, buy it!"
David buys the gun, shows it to his principal, who says, "You're right---it's not an at any price gun----sell it, and I'll eat the difference." David sells the gun. I bought it.
The moral of this story: If you want to make a small fortune collecting guns, start with a large fortune.
Ralph Tremaine
Edited to add: This gun sold for $1,850 (+/-) when David liquidated my collection during the last 3+ years. I have no idea what I paid for it, but does that say anything about it being a nice gun---to be bought AT ANY PRICE?
So---there's an auction coming up. David Carroll is going to be attending. He has been commissioned to buy this gun-----"AT ANY PRICE"!!
The day arrives. David inspects the gun---and calls his principal---"This is a nice gun, but it's not an "AT ANY PRICE" gun." The response: "I don't care, buy it!"
David buys the gun, shows it to his principal, who says, "You're right---it's not an at any price gun----sell it, and I'll eat the difference." David sells the gun. I bought it.
The moral of this story: If you want to make a small fortune collecting guns, start with a large fortune.
Ralph Tremaine
Edited to add: This gun sold for $1,850 (+/-) when David liquidated my collection during the last 3+ years. I have no idea what I paid for it, but does that say anything about it being a nice gun---to be bought AT ANY PRICE?
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Okay then certainly possible.
Gunbroker doesn’t strike me as a venue to spend $62,000 in a month at and end up not being collectively having spent well over full retail.
Masterpiece
Member
Hmmm...A Model 1 1/2??...Sure Looks like a Model 1 3rd Issue .22 Rimfire to me...Or am I mistaken??
Regardless of what it is...The Box is most definitely scarce!!
Yes, Model 1 Third issue. The subject matter of this thread is a 1 1/2. I was multitasking so let me correct this.
Masterpiece
Member
mrcvs,
No problem...Just wanted to clarify what it was for those that aren't familiar with these Early Revolvers!!
By the way...Very,Very Nice Model 1 3rd Issue with a Very Scarce Box to boot...Congrats on having it in your Collection!!
Ex Dr Roy G Jinks collection.
mmaher94087
SWCA Member
The rimfire boxes are very rare. The centerfire boxes, not so much unless looking for a box for a low production gun like a Wesson Favorite (~1000) or a 1st Model .32 DA (1-30). Thirty-two centerfire Single Action boxes are somewhat common, both green and red, except for the S&W in-house produced wood boxes. I'm not knocking the GB sale of that 1 1/2 but I'd expect a near perfect box to accompany a revolver of that quality. Being the Devil's Advocate, I suspect that it is a marriage with the box as I do not see a serial number on the box bottom and the condition of the box seems dingy compared to the revolver. And, yes, I know not every box had a serial number but with this late production I'm suspicious... especially at that price.
