Wow; we did better than I expected, and even though we had to come down on the asking price in every case — I’d of course baked the discount into the ask — we got rid of all Jim’s guns but three:
Of all Jim’s rifles, this one has the most limited appeal. Not many average members of the Murkin shooting persuasion are really aware of the brand’s outstanding reputation for quality. Jim knew it, and it’s telling that this was his first-ever hunting rifle, and he kept it all his life. It’s a little battered, of course, but other than the heel of the stock — which needs refinishing and a new recoil pad, it’s a peach. If anyone here is interested in owning this one, I’ll drop the price to $600 and ship it to you, first come first served. The question, of course, is quite simple: where are you going to get a very good hunting rifle like the Parker-Hale for only $600?
Funny, I thought we’d sell this one quite easily because it’s chambered in the oh-so hip 6.5 Creedmoor (and we had over a case of quality Norma ammo to give away with it). But I don’t think Texas shooters have realized the hunting potential of the Creed yet. The ones who have, I think, have mostly gone to the AR platform. (More astounding news on this topic later this week.) The price of the rifle is quite firm, but if I can get it done, I may be able to get Jim’s NightForce 3-10 scope, and make a package deal for under a grand — the lucky owner would use it the way Jim wanted to use it: as a hunting rifle par excellence.
I had to bring the price down massively on the Krag, because somehow I’d forgotten that The Layabout Sailor had sporterized the stock — hell, I was even involved when we discussed whether he should do so — so I dropped the price to $500. (I know, I know; but Jim was a shooter, not a collector, and he got sick of getting splinters in his hand every time he shot the gun.) Here’s the thing: this little carbine would make an incredible woods hunter (the short barrel doesn’t allow the 6.5 Swede to get to its optimal long-distance potential, but any range less than 200 yards and this thing would be mustard).
Other guns: the Ruger Hawkeye African 6.5x55mm sold within a half-hour of the gun show’s opening on Saturday morning. Both shotguns went before lunchtime. The 1911 lasted a whole day, but sold later in the day. The Glock 10mm went at about the same time on Saturday evening, as did the Tanfoglio (CZ-75 clone) 10mm and Makarov 9×18.
The pre-’64 Winchester Model 88 in .308 Win went at lunchtime on Sunday, at close to the full asking price. (Texans understand the value of the pre-’64 Winchester rifles — I could have sold four, I think.)
Jim’s widow “Irish” was well pleased with the several thousand dollars we raised for her.
I’ll write another time about the whole gun show experience because I have an idea which people might find worthwhile, but I need to put my thoughts together first. Bear with me.
