Novel economic theory advanced at gun show

[Jubjub]

Went to a local gun show this weekend.

I took along my Smith Model 66-3 3", as I haven't been shooting revolvers much lately, and wanted something along in case a trade came up.

A couple of dealers there told me that a Model 66 wasn't worth more than $400, and that the 3" version wasn't worth any premium.

The best one, though, was the guy who told me, with a straight face, that the 3" was worth less than the common barrel lengths.

I said, "So you're saying that rare guns are worth less?"

"Yep"

"I did not know that."

I guess the guys bidding on Gunbroker don't know about this phenomenon either.

Needless to say, I still have the gun. Did come home with some primers and powder.

 

[Moonclip]

In that case he is full of it but actually something rare can be worth less. There may be only 10 of some sort of variation of a gun but maybe only two people care.

An example is I once went to an auction featuring some firearms that were prototypes from a defunct importer of Chinese firearms. Stuff like bolt action .22's. Nothing sold too high, if these were prototype S&W's that would be a lot different.

actual 3" and not 2 1/2" guns in the mod 66 IIRC are somewhat rare and somewhat more desireable. I actually consider short barrel mod 66 more desireable and expensive than the 4"

 

[zoom6zoom]

They're only worth less if they're buying. Once it's on their table, it magically becomes worth twice blue book.

 

[Vaarok]

Rare guns are often worth less. I bought a Gew 71 Mauser from a local shop for $150 awhile ago, because it'd been sitting on the rack forever and nobody was gonna buy it. It's rare, it's valuable, but finding the person to sell it to who'd pay a premium price required resources my local shopkeeper (who is not internet-savvy) did not have.

 

[Moonclip]

Agreed, I'd not buy a Gew 71 at almost any price. Not my thing and it's not really a shooter.

 

[Billy Sparks]

Well there is a difference in what something is worth and what it will sell for. This guy was a dealer not a collector so he is looking to sell it. Example a gun store in a primarily blue collar rural area will probably sell more Taurus 1911's than it will Wilson, Ed Brown, Nighthawk, etc. So if you come in with a Wilson, etc wanting to sell or trade it the shop may not want to tie up money in it.

 

[Moonclip]

Thats true too for someone with the wrong customer base or a dealer who doesn't do internet. A local shop had a Hammerli single shot .22lr pistol, a real specialized target pistol. The area this gun is in and the type of clientel they service, no way it was going to sell quickly, price was around $1500 also.

A $400 Glock 9mm would sell within a few days there though. A better place for this gun would have been at a couple of shps I know that have more of a "highroller" customer base.

One such shop has had a decent Glock 17 sit at $325(I'm broke or I'd get it)I suppose it's not fancy enough for the Perazzi crowd.

The place to realize top dollar for that 3" S&W might be an internet auction site.