What is your personal grail gun?

Yah, I'm watching that auction as well. Pretty sure $1000 wouldn't even get you in the door, but I wish you luck all the same!

Yeah, I'm predicting it will go between $100k and $200k. We'll see.

My mother went to high school in Fairfield of all things, so I'm going to fly back and my father and I will go together to the auction, if God allows and the snow lets up for a few days.
 
Mine is a Manurhin PPK/S in 22LR in factory Duraguard finish. Not sure if they even made them in 22 with Duraguard but I'm hoping.

If I found one NIB locally I'd gladly pay $800. Any more than that I'd really have to think about it... in reality if a collector has one they'd probably want a lot more.

Why? I collect 22 pistols and prefer ones that look and function like their center fire counterparts. I prefer stainless over blue but NO ONE makes such a gun in stainless, except for the American TPH but that's ammo pickey, can have quality issues, and doesn't have even an internal slide lock. (yes I know there are stainless MKIIs and the 2206 but like I implied I like the exposed hammer and full length slide)

Next best thing would be a Walther PPK/S in their Nivel finish, but IMO the Duraguard looks better and is more durable.

I have an electroless nickel Bersa 23 that's in good shape and very PPK-like, but it's just not the same.

To anyone that actually read all of this, thanks :)
 
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This was my grail:
0yS4crI.jpg

cZB88e6.jpg

…but after I acquired it the new grail became a 98% K-22, shipped 11/47…
I know who has it, I don't know what he wants for it, and I don't know when he will finally sell it to me. He has committed to sell it to me however. It is to go to my oldest grandson.
 
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missouri highway patrol 686. to go with my 66 and 60 missouri highway patrol guns. id give a pretty penny for one but there hard to come by!
 
Mine is a Manurhin PPK/S in 22LR in factory Duraguard finish. Not sure if they even made them in 22 with Duraguard but I'm hoping.

If I found one NIB locally I'd gladly pay $800. Any more than that I'd really have to think about it... in reality if a collector has one they'd probably want a lot more.

Why? I collect 22 pistols and prefer ones that look and function like their center fire counterparts. I prefer stainless over blue but NO ONE makes such a gun in stainless, except for the American TPH but that's ammo pickey, can have quality issues, and doesn't have even an internal slide lock. (yes I know there are stainless MKIIs and the 2206 but like I implied I like the exposed hammer and full length slide)

Next best thing would be a Walther PPK/S in their Nivel finish, but IMO the Duraguard looks better and is more durable.

I have an electroless nickel Bersa 23 that's in good shape and very PPK-like, but it's just not the same.

To anyone that actually read all of this, thanks :)
Not Duraguard, but kind of cute anyway

ppks22a.jpg
 
Yeah, I'm predicting it will go between $100k and $200k. We'll see.

My mother went to high school in Fairfield of all things, so I'm going to fly back and my father and I will go together to the auction, if God allows and the snow lets up for a few days.

I would love to see a post on the auction from an onsite observer. I never got to see the collection when it was together at Cabelas, so that ship has sailed, but I'm curious about the price these guns sell for. Not so much for the money itself, but to see if the current generation of shooters understands the contribution that Elmer made to our sport. If it were within my means I would buy them all, just to keep them together. Keep us informed, please!
 
Handgun- 5 inch Registered Magnum

Rifle- Winchester Model 71

Shotgun-Winchester Model 1897 trench gun (or riot version)
 
Seems like I answered this but perhaps not. My grails were, in no particular order:

Browning Hi-Power - obtained about 3 years ago

S&W 4" Model 19 (replace the one I blew up) I will have it this week or next, and it's the last of the grail guns, actually.

M-14 (M1A) rifle (thank you, US Army, for this love affair) Obtained decades ago.

snubby S&W M 15 (replace one that was stolen, nickel no less!) Blued version acquired last year

S&W M 12 (just because, an aura of mystery or something) acquired a couple of years ago, just because

custom built hunting rifle on a 98 Mauser action Had it created a long, long time ago.

Beretta Model 70S (thanks Mossad!) Obtained a long, long time ago.

Walther PPK (think Bond, James Bond) Never got this one; came close with an Astra Constable long since sold, don't really care anymore if this one ever shows up.

Beretta Jetfire or 950 BS (think Bond, James Bond) Acquired decades ago

Presently, there is nothing out that I simply cannot turn down if it appears. COOL! :cool:
 
Very Nice Rick! How long was the RM a "former" grail gun?
Now that it's yours, technically, its just a gun:)
Thanks.
I still consider it a grail gun and there are a few more guns in my collection that aren't S&W's that I also consider grail guns.

This is my 4 digit serial numbered 1958 Colt Python

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And these three are my Sig grail guns

P210-2

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Factory nickel P228

Picture036.jpg


P226 Sport (very scarce)

mne005_zps37eb20a3.jpg
 
A model 1950 (26) in .45 Colt with 5" barrel... Oh and might as well be Nickel.

Or Weatherby can sell me his 25 3.5" Pinto?

A Triple Lock target in .45 Colt... As much money as I could scrounge up... Would pay several thousands.
 
I have always wanted a plain old 4 screw 4" model 19. A triple lock and of course a RM.
 
I hate to say it especially on the S&W forum but I'll stick my neck out then try to explain why. My personal grail gun is a 2 1/2" Royal Blue Colt Python made in 1978. Why this particular Python. I graduated high school in 1978. I also have 2 other Pythons (a 4" and a 6" Royal Blue) both made in 1978. I would like to complete my 1978 set. I have come close. I have seen the 2 1/2" Python made in 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, and 1980. I have not found a 1978 model available that I can afford. To me the hunt is as enjoyable as the find. Look at how many good finds I come across during the hunt.
 
I had wanted an early Combat Magnum for several years. Lusted over a few on GB but they always went far too high for my bank account. This past August I found this one at the Reno Show for $600 after I added the stocks. The originals unfortunately long gone or harvested.




The Combat Magnums started at #K260026 so I'm happy that this is pretty darned EARLY.



So I can happily report I have my Grail gun.
 
3" 19 or 66, RR, WO, nothing fancy, no box or other goodies required, just a very good condition shooter. I would most likely pay more than it was worth, or buy early.
Why is it a grail? Because I want one and have not found the right one yet.
 
A 5" M&P blued in 32-20. Clean barrel and factory target sights would do me just fine.
Something similar by Colt would be OK too, but Smith would be the preference.
Aloha
Gordy
 
Just for laughs, I went online to get a feel for the S&W market. Holy Mackerel:eek:! I can't believe the prices, $1749 for a 610-3, and $1049 for a 2'1/2" 66! Who can afford to by revolvers in this economy, especially at those prices?

I guess that I should just be happy, with what I have.
 
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