Pawn Shop Circuit: Pearls and Smiths

I drove over to Dave's pawn shop this afternoon. He had a Glock 27 in the case, as well as a S&W 22A, and some other plastic fantastic. At the end of the shelf though, cold Smith stainless beckoned me to make a closer examination. I asked Dave to remove a Smith & Wesson Model 66 from the case. It was an early production Model 66, no dash. The rear sight was stainless steel. The front was a plain stainless ramp. It was pinned and recessed. The grips were walnut targets. I looked the gun over, beamed a bore light up the barrel, and checked it for end shake. The old girl locked up tight. The rifling was sharp. There was some minor flame cutting on the top strap, and the grunge of poor storage was present on the exterior. Still, it was a P&R Smith, in original condition, and a rather obscure early example of the Model 66.

I thought about it a bit while Dave took care of another customer. Finally, I decided to pass. It was a stainless gun, not blue. I already had a Model 66, although it is not pinned or recessed. Finally, at $329, the price was OK, but not something to make me reach for my wallet. I handed the revolver back and came home.

I looked in my safe as soon as I got home, and retrieved the pearls I had purchased my wife for our anniversary. I wasn't certain when she would arrive home, but I wanted them in my pocket when she drove up. At four o'clock, Ilsa announced her arrival with a woof and a dash to the door. I gave her a hug, and wished her a happy anniversary. I pulled the pearls out of my pocket and placed them around my mate's neck. She squealed with delight. Then she asked what I wanted........

"Why a gun, of course."

"But you buy your own guns."

"I know, but there is one I saw today, and I wrote down the serial number......"