I love it when they ask me that question.
Said, "Sure. We still live in a semi-free country." He steps back out and walks inside with a box and two firearms wrapped in a large towel.
I take the firearms and box from him. Two rifles, both .22 caliber. I immediately sit one aside and gently take the other rifle and give it a good once over...what was it that fella said about Obama, the quiver up and down his leg thing...anyway without further ado I asked, "How much?"
As he's forming his reply I glance inside the box. It holds, along with two magazines, several boxes of vintage (to you) boxes of ammunition. Some Remington Hi-Speed .22's in short, long, and long rifle. Two boxes of Western Super-X, a couple of odd ball brands, and a partial box of paper 12 guage #5 shot Remington shells. If you're a collector of vintage boxed ammo you know how I felt.
One of the rifles is a beautiful 1930's era Remington Model 24. The other, a Harrington & Richardson Model 865 'Plainsman,' junk. I asked again, "What do you want?"
He shuffles, looks around, then said, "Well, really I need fifty bucks."
I gave him my look - all cool don't 'ya know. Said, "Listen, this rifle," and I place my hand on the H&R, "Is junk and I don't need nor want it. The bolt doesn't work correctly and its either missing the firing pin or its locked up tight. It'll need more work than its worth. Right back at me, "It's a package deal. I need to get rid of them."
Days like this just try my soul.
"Are you sure and firm with your price. I do like the old ammo boxes. They're kinda cute."
He said, "I understand, but yes, I want fifty dollars for all of it."
I let him win. I'm nice like that.
Stephen
When you write these stories I cringe cause I know what's fixin' to happen.
ReplyDeleteIf he didn't do his homework beforehand, then he deserves it.
If he's that dumb, you did society a favor.
DeleteI could tell he wasn't much of a gun guy, if at all. Thanks, Matt. I do my best.
DeleteCaveat emptor works both ways, I guess. You did alright, my friend.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, my friend. Thanks.
DeleteI sure hope he doesn't read your blog.........
ReplyDeleteHoney, he doesn't know me from Adam...much less read my blog. Thanks, Dear One.
DeleteGot a question, had another gun dealer tell me I had three valuable boxes of ammunition. All three are .303, full boxes, not sure how to grade boxes but they have all the tabs and are full boxes.
ReplyDeleteOne is a Savage box with my dad's writing dating it 1944. One is Western Super-X, no date on the box.
One is Remington Kleanbore. Again, no date on it but I suspect all are the same vintage.
Not interested in selling or trading, just wondering what "antique" ammo like this is worth.
Bubba, the really valuable stuff should have its original cellophane intact, never opened. Instead of giving out my opinion on worth I suggest you try, http://www.rtgammo.com/. Click on the ammo of interest. Thanks my friend.
DeleteHa!
ReplyDeleteYou sneaky old curmudgeon.
In order to even out your karma, you must give the Remington away immediately. To me.
I'll drop you a line with my local FFL info.
I just might surprise you, my friend. With the dealer fee of, oh say, twenty-five dollars and my price of, oh say, seven hundred, it should arrive soon....thanks, Bubba. Then again, maybe I should do one of those blog contest and have my wife pull names from a hat...
DeleteMaybe you should start quizzing us on boxes of ammo rather than revolvers.
ReplyDeleteGood idea...hum, I'll think about it. Thanks, Russell.
DeleteSometimes good things do happen to good people. Enjoy your new treasures.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he's a good man, so yes, a good thing happened to him. Thanks, I shall enjoy the treasures, my friend.
DeleteI love the stuff myself. When my grandfather died I inherited an old Western Auto 20 gauge and a box of mixed-bag vintage stuff. I think I liked checking out the ammo as much as the firearms I got. Great find. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteI do so love old shooting items, 45er. The old boxes of ammo will be placed high on a shelf for someone down the line to enjoy. Thanks, my friend.
DeleteBought a Beretta BL-1 and a bag of paper shells at a garage sale years ago for a hunnert bucks.
ReplyDeleteShot up the papers on a dove hunt, still have the O/U.
Way back in the safe, may have to drag it out this Sept.
Skip, you should dig it out and enjoy it. I've a few safe queens too and always kick myself for not breaking 'em out and dragging them along to the range. Paper hulled shells are fast disappearing...hate to waste them. Thanks, my new friend.
DeleteDisparity in information
ReplyDeleteIt dominates construction pricing - if it didn't you wouldn't have bidding.
People don't like it, but in businesses where it exist, it is the usual area where they go beyond break even. Otherwise the customer/client would always shop around for pricing until they brought the margins down to zero.
But you will never convince people in other industries of this - even when they see competition from overseas drive down their margins, and keep them from giving their employees a raise for twenty years.
What a very intelligent and correct comment. Yes, indeed, my friend, you do get it...thank you.
DeleteHeck, I'll take that old H&R off your hands if you are feeling guilty about the deal you got.
ReplyDeleteVery nice score. I am jealous.
Really, Bubba, the repair cost would cost more than the rifles worth...which is about thirty dollars. The trigger package and shipping cost would exceed thirty dollars. Then, I'm fairly certain it needs a bolt repair kit. Checked with Numrich today and they're out of stock...
DeleteYou had fun didn't you.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes I did indeed....chuckled all day. Thanks, lovely lady.
DeleteI just got back from running hither and yon, trying to find a can of EEZOX cleaner and a gun snake for a pistol. I give up. Where's the Dawn?
ReplyDeleteSweet one...take a ride to Wal-Mart and purchase a small bottle of CLP and a boresnake...cheap. Forget the other stuff...boresnakes, as you well know, come in all calibers. Forget the Dawn. Thanks, pretty lady.
Delete