Look at the numbers today for any 6 1/2 pre 29 in high condition complete.. What is 1400 if it makes a great condition gun 5 to 6k and perfect gun 7K or higher? I am off to Tulsa have a pre 29 5" in need of cokes and a 1955 in need of target stocks.. 350 for the target 500 to 700 for the cokes? I need a box for my pre 29" 5" not paying 1400 for one rather spend it on a gun, but if you needed it we pay what we have to and in the case of this one for me 1400 might be a smart move. My point is given the cost a recent buy the 5" combination cost for a box and grips at say 2k, I am under the value of what I paid for my gun and parts as a whole. The increase for a complete gun in value might justify these high numbers. It is just math...
There are collectors that spend an incredible amount time piecing packages and turning a profit.. No offense intended to those that do. For me it is not a business. I would rather buy new fine firearms and learn about them.. There are exceptions, specifically my cokes and target grips but for me it is a repair not an enhance.. I met a man at the local gun show that has two Model 68 consecutive serial numbered NIB Model 68 LAPD stamped priced at 1635 for the pair. Money better spent of this guns than a 1400 box?
