What does "mint" actually mean?

[44wheelman]

To me, mint means someone took Flitz (or other) to the front of the cylinder to try to sell their gun as unfired. Especially nickel, I hate that.

I recently passed on a 629DX that had scratches on the cylinder face. Really a shame, it was in otherwise excellent condition. Scratches were deep enough I could feel them with my fingernail.

 

[CH4]

It depends if you're at DQ, a gun show, talking to a coin collector or referring to mouthwash. I think the term "mint" or "minty" has become colloquial for something that's in excellent or pristine condition... or a Blizzard, or fresh breath...

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Unused is an excellent definition. Untouched. 6 years ago I bought a 1966 Dunlet 3-speed bicycle in mint condition. The bike had never been ridden, stored properly, had the original Dunlop tires-which were discontinued in 1965.

 

[Jack Flash]

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.

This is exactly what the seller hopes to accomplish. They plant a seed in your mind and hope it blossoms!

1) Buyer wants such a gun
2) Buyer has committed time and money to purchase
3) Buyer is out MORE time and money to undo the deal

Gun is not as described so buyer complains.
Seller "magnanimously" offers to refund, but only the price of the gun.
So buyer is out shipping both ways, and any FFL fees, etc.
Seller decides to cut his losses and keep the gun.
When buyer leaves a complaint in feedback, seller can get all sanctimonious, saying:
"I offered him a refund. He rejected it. You can't satisfy this guy no matter what you do!"

Buyer looks irrational and seller comes off smelling like a rose AND he got top dollar for his gun.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

When I bought my Beretta 21a, the seller had 2.
He was willing to sell either or both.
One was his, the other purchased for his Ex-Wife!
His had been shot, hers had not.
We both carefully examined both guns.
We were unable to determine which was which.
I preferred not to buy the X- Wife Gun.
Bad Mojo!
Since the one I bought does hang up and sometimes fails to feed, I may have bought the Ex Wife Gun!

 

[bmcgilvray]

The definition of "Mint" means: the person describing it has no imagination and is a mimic of all the other unimaginative people who misuse the term.

 

[mtgianni]

Mint means I would like to sell this item. It is not a grade just a comment.

 

[ken158]

My thoughts are that mint is a step under new in box and could be equal to excellent. Guys that get all wrapped up over fired or unfired do not understand that some guns are actually unfired from the factory and some guns that are fired are sent back to a fitter to correct a problem that was detected in the operation while firing. When I was at the factory school I asked many questions outside the class interest and was told by one of the guys firing that if he sent it back after firing every other cylinder, when it came back to him he fired all the cylinders. He also told me that if a rack of ten guns came from a well established fitter he would not fire all ten. So, firing outside the factory or inside the factory may be something you will never know. And, I saw no cleaning implements at his firing station and never saw an employee cleaning a gun before it was boxed.

 

[CH4]

The definition of "Mint" means: the person describing it has no imagination and is a mimic of all the other unimaginative people who misuse the term.

And that is one way colloquialisms are created, e.g,. .45 LC v. .45 Colt, irregardless…

 

[jeffrefrig]

Look at the adjectives used to describe objects in the "Antiques" section of the popular on line flea market-type website. These kids born in the later-half of the 1900s have no clue what they are selling, so that treddle sewing machine cabinet is all of a sudden "Vintage," not a useless piece of furniture now called an end table...that of which millions were made. $175, needs refinished. Vintage-type revolver, looks just like the Colt Single-action Army revolver, imported by Hermitage as part of their Ruff Rider series, Only $725. Needs new hammer but a great conversation piece.

 

[TXBryan]

If it was on GB this would not surprise me. GB is the home to the world's most generous thesaurus.
How many times have we all seen a relatively high demand Smith (19, 27, 28…..) listed as rare despite the fact there are 10-40 just like it listed at the same time.

Truer words are seldom seen; agree wholeheartedly.

I've spent (way) too much time on Gun Broker (although a lot less lately) and when I see "mint" or "minty" my lengthy GB experience indicates: a) a seller who knows little about firearms, b) a seller looking for a buyer who knows little about firearms, c) a seller who has more invested in his wares than they're worth, d) a clueless seller who has no concept of firearm grading criteria, e) a seller who does not have an issue with misrepresentation

"Rare" and "minty" are possibly the two most over-used terms in gun advertisements/descriptions. Both generally translate as "I want more for my stuff than it's worth."