The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Handguns => Topic started by: Pathfinder on October 14, 2009, 08:48:48 PM
-
I stopped by the local Gander Moutnain today, and had a chance to meet with the gunsmith for the store. Nice guy who asked if I was into old guns. Thinking Remington .36cal Navy I was starting to beg off when he said 1902 Colt, precursor to the 1911. Out it comes.
.38 ACP 1902 Military with 90% finish. Looks like this only in much better condition:
(http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/images/e08dfc13a6d106f032f49aca8caa4f2f.jpg)
Had the lanyard swivel (the photo only shows a rivet or something in its place), long damn slide, original grips, one magazine. From the s/n, probably a late model, ca. 1925+/-
The kicker: they guy selling it said he would be happy if he could get $850 for it. The store has it for sale for $1500. Fjestad's Blue Book last year says this gun in 90% is worth $2500. Online collector sites are saying now $3500. Pricing is for the gun by model, not by s/n like most of the others in Fjestadt's book.
Interesting detour for the day, made the drizzling rain/snow more tolerable. Very unexpected.
PM me for the store info if you have $1500 you want to unload.
-
Wow Pathfinder. That is a great find.
-
Very cool....that is one of those guns I've wanted "just because"....but alas....no funds. :( :(
-
*Drooling, drooling. I wasn't that impressed with Gander Mountain when I was there this Summer. I may have to rethink that. Unfortunately, I don't have the funds either. Although, if I had that kind of money though, I think I'd get the Kimber w/ the crimson trace grips at Scheels.
-
Too bad the owner doesn't try to sell it himself. Could probably get the whole $1,500 and have sold it already. With such a small market at Gander Mountain, it may take years to sell.
-
*Drooling, drooling. I wasn't that impressed with Gander Mountain when I was there this Summer. I may have to rethink that. Unfortunately, I don't have the funds either. Although, if I had that kind of money though, I think I'd get the Kimber w/ the crimson trace grips at Scheels.
Wise move - a good shooter with a laser, too cool.
Too bad the owner doesn't try to sell it himself. Could probably get the whole $1,500 and have sold it already. With such a small market at Gander Mountain, it may take years to sell.
All Gander gunsmiths are linked by computer - any gun for sale is available through any store in the chain. I'm sure this one won't sit on the shelf for long, somebody somewhere will snap it up.
And it's not a consignment sale - GM bought it from the guy and is now reselling it. I know some dealers do consignments, but I think Scheel's (where I got my Sig) and Gander only buy and resell.
-
In our corner of the world Gander, Scheels and Cabelas are all in the business of buying from individuals (below value by quite a bit) and reselling. One reason they can rightfully justify their lowball purchase prices is that they get hung with a few or lose on them. The reason they get stuck with stuff or losses is because of their limited customer base. Specialty gun guys and competitors don't tend to look to a big box for their guns, and they have their favorite suppliers that they have built relationships with. There is a novel idea for a retailer ::) build a relationship with your customers ::) Maybe if I could see a friendly knowledgable person on a regular person instead of some know-it-all kid that doesn't understand what I'm looking for so tries to sell me something I know I don't want or need.
As far as GM's smiths having links to other stores - I don't know about your smith up there, but ours down here is about as customer friendly and useful as tits on a boar >:(
-
I've found that the sales kids/clerks/dumbasses at BassPro and Cabelas here in the area are 'bout as useless as tits on a bull!
I've gotten into the habit of asking inane questions that any novice gun owner would be able to answer in an effort to trip them up. They know nothing of the sport, can't answer simple questions and don't ever list anything under MSRP. It's a real shame too!
Their fishing and camping departments are similarly staffed by less than knowledgable folks. I think it's called the WalMart syndrome!
-
Nice find Path, wish I had the cash for that one! :-\
+1 on the dumbasses at the BIG outdoor stores!! We still have a few hardware stores that sell guns, and actually know what they're talking about and the prices are FAR better the "Bigs" are!!
-
Pieces of history like that are cool. :)