I bought a set of J frame Combat grips in the Classifieds here. The seller advertised them as being in "stellar" condition. One grip had a crack in it. I shipped them back and never got a refund. $220.00 lesson.
What does "mint" actually mean?
- Thread starter lihpster
- Start date
.357magger
Member
Caveat Emptor is the word for internet sales and auctions. The seller wants to sell it. It's up to the buyer to qualify if what is being sold is to the standard desired. There should be LOTS of pics, different angles and aspects, and the seller shouldn't mind answering reasonable questions. A return policy, agreed by both in writing, is required before I buy.
Just my $.02.
Don't even get me started on the term "RARE"...
Just my $.02.
Don't even get me started on the term "RARE"...
Last edited:
pantannojack
US Veteran
I recall when Colt 1911's sold for 700$ new, MINT, but still required 700$ tune up.
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2021
- Messages
- 5,193
- Reaction score
- 9,003
IMHO, All examples posted regarding online sales is Perfect reason to go to Local( few hours drive) shows. By chance I'm selling anything collectable and some cheap skate starts whining about my price I Always say, Well you can hold this in your hands and inspect it, cant do that with online items. They always shut up.
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2012
- Messages
- 4,624
- Reaction score
- 7,838
There's actually a definition:
adjective: mint
(of an object) in pristine condition; as new.
It doesn't matter what they meant, they listed it as "unfired". I guess you could send them half the money and just say "Gee, I meant to send it all...oh well".
adjective: mint
(of an object) in pristine condition; as new.
It doesn't matter what they meant, they listed it as "unfired". I guess you could send them half the money and just say "Gee, I meant to send it all...oh well".
gwpercle
Member
Only the above descriptions should count as proper descriptions of condition for firearms .
All those other terms ...Pristine , mint , minty , unfired , unused etc , ...
are just advertising hype trying to justify the price with B. S. and confusion ... aka smoke and mirrors ...
Don't Fall For It !
Mint is a Coin Collectors terminology but there are varying degrees of Mint on the Sheldon Grading Scale ( between 60 and 70 ) in that area also ...
so again Mint means nothing ...
After dinner you sometimes have a small candy ...
...That's a Mint !
Great Post Arisin Wind !
Gary
Last edited:
I would think of "mint" as in perfect condition, but could have been fired, versus "unfired". Then we have the internet classic "doesn't appear to have been fired but maybe a couple times". 
I don't think I've ever sold a gun with the word "mint". I've sold "new in box" and "excellent condition", but never "mint".
I don't think I've ever sold a gun with the word "mint". I've sold "new in box" and "excellent condition", but never "mint".
Last edited:
Whatever the owner of said object decides it means.
To me, mint is a piece of candy.
RWPBR
Member
Mint to me means unfired, pristine, unsullied.
stanmerrell
Member
My son works construction and when a job is done they all say it's "F in mint bud". But really mint is not a technical term used in firearm grading...anyone using it should be a suspected liar.
And all this time I thought "mint" was a Girl Scout cookie.
I learn something here every visit.
I learn something here every visit.
Echo40
Member
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2017
- Messages
- 4,064
- Reaction score
- 7,904
It means that it has been cleaned/lubricated with Frog Lube. 
But seriously, the term is used so arbitrarily that it might as well mean whatever the seller thinks it means, or at least such has been my experience with folks selling firearms over the internet.
But seriously, the term is used so arbitrarily that it might as well mean whatever the seller thinks it means, or at least such has been my experience with folks selling firearms over the internet.
- Joined
- Feb 9, 2006
- Messages
- 3,565
- Reaction score
- 6,327
I'd second that, with NIB being limited to the original retailer. Anything previously owned by a customer would qualify for LNIB at most and then only if it has not been cocked, dry-fired or holstered and has no visible evidence of such.
And I prefer guns with "character" as long as it is good character. A turn ring, blue wear at the muzzle, normal use wear consistent with age bother me not a bit - but I pay accordingly.
Last edited:
Especially if it is those gawd awful green shakes that Micky D sells this time of the year!
John
Hello all, I am the one who bought the gun in question, I am not unhappy with the gun I just don't like being lied to and I could have returned it after paying shipping both ways and a 15% restocking fee, about $250. I chose not to.
We are not talking about factory firing here. Does unfired condition mean unfired? I guess I don't really know, but I do know what it implies. Here is a portion of an emal that they sent me responding to my email expressing my issue.
Admittedly in an email to you we said that it was in "unfired condition" in trying to state how "mint" it was!! But that does not mean "UNFIRED" any more than "LIKE NEW CONDITION" would mean that the gun is brand new! And based on that you are unjustly accusing us by saying in your recent note, "it is by no means unfired like you claimed." WE MADE NO SUCH "CLAIM!"
Here is there user name IDRACCA it was on gun broker.
We are not talking about factory firing here. Does unfired condition mean unfired? I guess I don't really know, but I do know what it implies. Here is a portion of an emal that they sent me responding to my email expressing my issue.
Admittedly in an email to you we said that it was in "unfired condition" in trying to state how "mint" it was!! But that does not mean "UNFIRED" any more than "LIKE NEW CONDITION" would mean that the gun is brand new! And based on that you are unjustly accusing us by saying in your recent note, "it is by no means unfired like you claimed." WE MADE NO SUCH "CLAIM!"
Here is there user name IDRACCA it was on gun broker.
This thread reminds me of the quartermasters report for the Army of the Potomac, made after the battle of Gettysburg. It stated that hundreds, if not thousands, of rifles were retrieved from the field after the battle that were loaded with multiple charges. They were never discharged. Now those certainly were unfired, but they weren't mint!
John
John
THE PILGRIM
Member
Years back now a Buddy and I bought guns from a PA Police Dealer.
He had over runs, trade ins, etc.
Some of the contract over runs appeared to be just as new as guns we got from a Regular Dealer.
Specially 459s made for Embassy security, 659 Low Serial No and CS-1 686s.
As I have posted, the only time I talked to Roy Jinks was concerning the 459s.
We also bought LE trade ins from them that most certainly looked like trade ins!
He had over runs, trade ins, etc.
Some of the contract over runs appeared to be just as new as guns we got from a Regular Dealer.
Specially 459s made for Embassy security, 659 Low Serial No and CS-1 686s.
As I have posted, the only time I talked to Roy Jinks was concerning the 459s.
We also bought LE trade ins from them that most certainly looked like trade ins!
Similar threads
- Locked
- Locked
