Just had a really recent experience lately on a prospective gun purchase. Found a gentlemen with a S&W Hand Eject 1916 in what I would say is about 85% condition with a Roy Jinks letter in "alternative" .455 Eley/Webley. The Jinks letter was very generic and only noted it was sold to Canada, which most of the "second line" alternaitve guns were so nothing super rare there. The thing was it was uncut and hadnt been rechambered. Was in original bluing (slightly brown patina) but not reparked. Really a very nice specimen. He goes on and on about how he wishes it could tell the story of its history.
Guy he-hawed back and forth on the price, tried selling it on gunbroker a few times, couldnt get a bid of his liking, listed it some other places, never went over $550. I had been following the gun along etc. etc.
He wanted $700 which was really top of the mark (if you couldnt get in on GB you are high), I offered him $700 shipped which I thought was fair.
Basically his response was I dont need the money so I think if I cant get exactly $700 I am going to rechamber it for .45LC because I like .45LC. I say ok, do you really want to devalue a fine firearm by destroying its historical value. Rechambered its a paperweight to most folks. I just cant believe someone who wants to sell a gun would destroy its historical value over $35! Maybe I am being stubborn but I just dont think I can go any further. My final response was my offer stands if it is unmolested, if you rechamber it, its a scrap metal to me. It was all very polite.
I hate to see it bubba'd but I just dont think I can go any higher for sight unseen gun, cant save em all.
Guy he-hawed back and forth on the price, tried selling it on gunbroker a few times, couldnt get a bid of his liking, listed it some other places, never went over $550. I had been following the gun along etc. etc.
He wanted $700 which was really top of the mark (if you couldnt get in on GB you are high), I offered him $700 shipped which I thought was fair.
Basically his response was I dont need the money so I think if I cant get exactly $700 I am going to rechamber it for .45LC because I like .45LC. I say ok, do you really want to devalue a fine firearm by destroying its historical value. Rechambered its a paperweight to most folks. I just cant believe someone who wants to sell a gun would destroy its historical value over $35! Maybe I am being stubborn but I just dont think I can go any further. My final response was my offer stands if it is unmolested, if you rechamber it, its a scrap metal to me. It was all very polite.
I hate to see it bubba'd but I just dont think I can go any higher for sight unseen gun, cant save em all.