The revolver was in good shape. It was a Model 10-2, and everything was correct except for the grips. The 10-2 is a difficult Model 10 to find. It was only manufactured in 1961.
I do not own one. I looked the revolver over, and it checked out good. I asked Neil the price. "Two-ninety-nine," he replied, placing his hands on the counter, his cigar clamped between his fingers. "Damn Neil, that's a lot. I'll have to sleep on that a bit. How firm are you?"
"I just took it out of hock this morning. That's what they go for now," Neil replied, taking a puff on his stogie. "Kid, you must have a bird dog nose for Smith & Wesson. Not a Smith in my case for months, and you walk in on the day I pull this 'un out."
We chatted a bit more, and I handed the old wheelgun back to Neil. In the parking lot, I pulled my pawn and gun show price journal from between the seats of my vehicle. In it I record the prices of guns I purchase, look at, and am interested in. Even if I do not buy the gun, I record the price. My journal helps me keep a finger on the pulse of what particular guns sell for in my area. I recorded this revolver, and I looked back to March of 2009, and saw that Kenny had a Model 10 snubbie for $319. The last Model 10 I purchased was was a nickel 10-8 from Neil for $239. But I clearly recall not too long ago, when a used Model 10 priced over $200 would clearly show the seller was smoking something, and it wasn't La Palomas.
I already own several Model 10 revolvers with four inch barrels, as well as several M&Ps, and a couple of Model 10 snubbies. I really don't need a revolver simply because it has a particular number stamped on the frame. I did sleep on it though. I closed my eyes for a second at a red light. Perhaps Neil's prices had caught up with the market. Perhaps I am behind the times. Maybe it's the Obamanation. It doesn't matter, really. I just know that three Franklins will buy a lot of 45ACP.
I really need to make a shopping trip in Louisiana. (Statutorially transferred, of course.)
ReplyDeleteI hope you really have an appreciation for the prices you enjoy.
-Sans Authoritas
My roommate purchased a used Model 10 (unknown on the designation)a few months ago for $270. Seems I can find few shoot-able bargain guns these days for anything less than $300.
ReplyDeletePersonally I think that's a bit high for a Model 10. At the last big gun show here I saw plenty of them priced between $250-275.
ReplyDeleteAddmitedly, I was not paying attention to the exact dash-number. And even if a little high, not outrageously so.
At least out here, revolver prices are down. The great "Obamamania" was driving high cap autoloaders up,, which drove wheel gun prices down.
N frames are still going up of course, but that's a different market generally. Same with snubs.
Three bills for a Model 10? Nah.
ReplyDeleteThree bills for a pre-Bangor Punta Model 10 in nice shape? More tempting.
But, like you, I've got more fixed sight K's than I can shoot already. It'd need to be a pretty darn good deal to get me to jump on it. These days, it needs to be pre-Model Number to get my pulse rate much above resting, anyway.