While traveling the north country this weekend I came upon a pawn/gunshop in a very small town. Just my cup of tea. Upon entering I was immediately drawn to a Smith & Wesson 15-3 , 4" nickel. The gun was displayed showing the left side and was very clean. Case hardening colors were beautiful. Price was $449. I was moderately excited and I asked to see it. When the clerk handed the revolver to me I turned it over and was dismayed to see that the screw heads on the right side were badly corroded , the trigger on the same side was pitted , there was a slight blemish on the cylinder (no doubt aligned on the left side in storage) , and at the top of the side plate there was evidence of a minute bit of binding ; the plating of the side plate looked ever so slightly raised. I took that to mean that the side plate had been removed , and upon replacement it did not quite slip into position - bound slightly. (Is that a valid observation?) I determined that the Smith had been poorly stored but barely shot , given the clean appearance of the surfaces fore and aft of the cylinder ,clean top strap , and the tightest lock up I have observed in a Smith - Colt like , in fact.
I asked the clerk to send for the manager. I was in a pawn shop , and was prepared to bargain. I had cash in hand for just such an eventuality.
When the manager arrived I pointed out the corrosion issues , explained that replacement nickel screws were very hard to come by , told her that the trigger blemish could not be rubbed out without removing the case hardening coloration , and offered a shooter price of $350. I was willing to move a bit if I had to.
The clerk glibly responded by stating that a couple of screws were not worth $100 , (ahem) , and the $449 price was firm. I thought "What kind of a pawn shop is this? She probably gave some down on his luck schmuck $175 for the gun , and she will not budge an inch !"
I left in disgust.
That's my story.
I asked the clerk to send for the manager. I was in a pawn shop , and was prepared to bargain. I had cash in hand for just such an eventuality.
When the manager arrived I pointed out the corrosion issues , explained that replacement nickel screws were very hard to come by , told her that the trigger blemish could not be rubbed out without removing the case hardening coloration , and offered a shooter price of $350. I was willing to move a bit if I had to.
The clerk glibly responded by stating that a couple of screws were not worth $100 , (ahem) , and the $449 price was firm. I thought "What kind of a pawn shop is this? She probably gave some down on his luck schmuck $175 for the gun , and she will not budge an inch !"
I left in disgust.
That's my story.
