Shear_stress
October 8, 2006, 12:32 PM
Went for a nice drive a couple days ago. As the stunning fall colors went by, I found my car steering itself toward my favorite gunshop, secreted out of the way on a country two-lane. This gun store is of a type that, until recently, I didn't think existed anymore. You know, the one with the racks of fairly-priced new and used guns, a staff of friendly, knowledgeable salespeople behind the counter, and a curious habit of having exactly the right oddball accessory for sale on the rare occassion when I am able to visit. Once, I needed a set of left-handed Volquartsen Volthane grips for my Ruger Mark II. They happened to have one, marked down 50% to boot.
I parked my car and parked myself in front of the used pistol case. Immediately, a grandfatherly salesman asked me if he could help me with anything. Sure enough, he was happy to lay nearly every used pistol on the top of the case for me. Lots of nice stuff.
The one that caught my eye was a Colt Detective Special (serial number 754xxx), sporting an exposed ejector rod and famed "bank-vault" lock-up. It was unusual for two reasons. First, it was in great shape, save for a little wear on the grips and a slight nick on the backstrap. Second, the store didn't want a king's ransom for it. My father had a Cobra when he was my age, so I have a sentimental attachment to Colt snubbies. However, I don't know much about them. Never really had the cash to find out.
The salesman was all too happy to help. He looked up the serial number for me. The gun was apparently made in 1960. We spent a long time examining the gun and checking the timing and lock-up. Everything seemed five by five. Sensing an opportunity, the saleman mentioned the layaway policy, which became more and more flexible the longer we spoke.
In the end, he accepted less than 10% down in cash and a handshake. It may take me a couple of cash payment to chip away at the balance, but soon the Colt will be mine.
I parked my car and parked myself in front of the used pistol case. Immediately, a grandfatherly salesman asked me if he could help me with anything. Sure enough, he was happy to lay nearly every used pistol on the top of the case for me. Lots of nice stuff.
The one that caught my eye was a Colt Detective Special (serial number 754xxx), sporting an exposed ejector rod and famed "bank-vault" lock-up. It was unusual for two reasons. First, it was in great shape, save for a little wear on the grips and a slight nick on the backstrap. Second, the store didn't want a king's ransom for it. My father had a Cobra when he was my age, so I have a sentimental attachment to Colt snubbies. However, I don't know much about them. Never really had the cash to find out.
The salesman was all too happy to help. He looked up the serial number for me. The gun was apparently made in 1960. We spent a long time examining the gun and checking the timing and lock-up. Everything seemed five by five. Sensing an opportunity, the saleman mentioned the layaway policy, which became more and more flexible the longer we spoke.
In the end, he accepted less than 10% down in cash and a handshake. It may take me a couple of cash payment to chip away at the balance, but soon the Colt will be mine.
