Here’s something from Collectors which may seem to carry too high a price (even for them), but really isn’t: 3-Gun Set Belonging to Col. S.B. Sightler ($17,500).
Now I have no idea who the late Colonel Sightler is, or how much his personal collection may be valued by a collector. What I do know is that the collection is as follows:
Parker DHE side-by-side 20ga shotgun:
(not the actual gun, but a representative sample thereof)
Underwood M1 Carbine:
And Winchester 62A pump-action .22 rifle:
Now here’s my point. Each of the above guns is, by itself, supremely droolworthy. And their average sale prices, individually, reflect that. Depending on condition, a Parker DHE 20ga typically runs about $10,000-$14,000 (I’ve seen higher); Underwood M1 carbines can fetch $1,500-$1,600; and a Winchester 62A about $1,200-$1,500.
Adding that up, it comes to around sixteen grand for the three guns, if bought individually. In that light, the $17,500 that Collectors is asking for the collection doesn’t seem that extreme — even allowing for their normal (inflated) markup.
And one last thing. Given that these guns were owned by an ex-military man, I’m willing to bet that all three guns — even the little Winchester gallery gun — are in fine condition, which makes them a safe purchase.
If I were a collector and in the market for some decent guns, I’d be sorely tempted. The provenance is just a bonus.
Since I was a teenager, my dream rifle was an M1 carbine. Oh, I knew all its weaknesses as well as its strengths … but visually it just sang to me!
Could never afford one when I was younger. Now I’ll never own one because, even though I could afford one, they are now prohibited/banned weapons for us ordinary people — even the Erma M1 in .22 LR. So there. Oh yeah … keyword: Australia.
So, early 90’s I’m at gun show/swap meet and there are a ton of Winchester pump .22lr rifles at the show. Sale price running around $400 a pop, which to me seemed extremely high. Remember, this was almost 30 years ago. Found a Savage pump .22lr, very similar, roughly same age, for only a $100. Bought it, sweetest shooting rifle around.
Just can’t believe someone would pay $1500 for the Winchester today. Especially when there’s several new pump rifles available for much much less.
There’s some pump .22s for sane prices. Bought a Remington M12, octagon barrel approx 1918 (plus a stripped AR receiver) , for $450 this summer. Nice little shooter. Quite accurate.
Pawn shop.