[Zer000]

I'm interested in adding a Liberator pistol to my collection. Has any one seen these for sale before? I haven't been able to find any info online. I imagine they are pretty rare, any idea on pricing?

[ACP230]

I've seen them advertised in Gun List or Shotgun News occasionally. Prices ran between $800 and $1,200.

These pistols were made by the Guide Lamp branch of GM in Anderson, Indiana. The tank museum in town there has a small amount of info on the gun and its manufacture.

[alamo]

Amazing they command such prices for such a cheaply produced pistol. I believe I saw on "Tales of the Gun" that quite a few were made but since they had such a limited purpose (use it to shoot a German soldier and take his gun) that probably most were discarded after use or after the war. I'd like to have one if they were less expensive these days.

[cratz2]

These pistols were made by the Guide Lamp branch of GM in Anderson, Indiana.

I did not know that... I've autocrossed in that very parking lot several times. Something new to talk about next time. :p

[Justin]

I've seen exactly two Liberators for sale. They both commanded in excess of $1,000.
If you want to hunt for one, I'd suggest checking out the Louisville Gun Days in Louisville, KY. Lots of cool old stuff and lots of cool new stuff, too.

[Zundfolge]

Amazing they command such prices for such a cheaply produced pistol.

You aren't buying them for their quality or performance ... you are paying for the history.

My Kahr MK40 would probably outperform a derringer from the 1880s ... but guess which is worth more ;)

[Helio]

Here's a website with info (http://www.nfa.ca/NFAFiles/CFJArchive/Firearms/Liberator.html)

[Zer000]

Ouch, a pistol that cost two bucks to make going for over a grand? That hurts. I was thinking a few hundred. I suppose if most of them were destroyed after the war then it makes sense though. Guess I'll have to wait a while if I ever want one of these. Thanks for the info.

[El Tejon]

Zer, you want to hear something really sad? My grandfather ran a hardware store after WWII in Bloomington, Indiana. He told me that he once unloaded a rain barrel off a supply truck from Indianapolis. He popped the top off and it was full of Liberators.

He stuck the barrel up front by the cashier and stuck a sign in the barrel advertising them for under a buck. Can you imagine that? People waiting to pay for their radio tubes, or chicken wire, or paint or whatever and as an impulse buy you get a Liberator to go.:eek:

[Okiecruffler]

My ex-landlord's son knew I was into guns so he brought over a box of pistols for me to look at. It had a dozen liberators in it. He said he got it in exchange for some plumbing work he had done. He figured he got took because he would have charged about $500 for the job. I tried to buy one from him, but he didn't want to break the dozen. Wish I knew how to do plumbing.

[Bob R]

The last time I was at Ed Karrars(sp) Gunatorium (spokane, wa) they had one in the display case. Didn't ask the price, he knew it was worth more than 2 bucks.

They have many older guns there, including python ser # 250, and lots of Colt SAA's


bob

[Justin]

El T-
Man, that's crazy! Simpler, better times, I guess.

I have to wonder though, how many Liberators are currently tucked away in attics and drawers all over Europe and the United States, the owners completely unaware of what they have?

[El Tejon]

Justin, indeed, to think where I sit in my office now, there used to be a hardware store. Prior to 11/68 almost anyone (had to be 15 for a pistol, unless note from parents) could walk in and buy guns including machine guns across the street from the county courthouse and a block and a half from the federal courthouse.

I have another Liberator story: A horse riding buddy of my father growing up in Indy in the late 50s used to play "cops n robbers" with Liberator pistols. His father bought them and painted them engine blue (like Pontiac blue) and gave them to his sons for play!:eek: Imagine that now!?!