Entering the Big Leagues

[Sapper740]

Not sure I hit the big leagues yet. I've only paid over $1000 twice with cash. Add Cabelas points and there are two more, but cash out of pocket for each wasn't much. Most I ever paid was just a couple of months ago for the Irish Constabulary Rifle.

But there are many which are likely now worth well over $1000 which due to Sapper's relatives I didn't pay anywhere near that much for them.

The rifles I mentioned bought in the last three years are all in near mint condition. I know 'near mint' can be a somewhat over-used and hyperbolic term but in the case of those rifles it is profoundly accurate. The Ross was the only issued rifle, the other three were all civilian target rifles in pristine condition and all came with micrometer peep sights of one sort or another. The Ross is one of the Essex County Home Guard rifles and although it was issued, you'd never know it and was obviously well cared for. The M.L.E. was the only rifle I paid the "Buy Now' price for, the rest were all won after spirited bidding by several collectors, especially the Ross but as I may have mentioned before in the past, what would you pay for the finest example of a rifle extant and one that your family carried in WWI?

[Aragorn243]

I only have one mint rifle. Not very interested in them to be honest because I can't afford them which gets back to not really feeling I'm in the big leagues. I've always bought what I can afford at the time and when I started it was well worn examples. The mint rifle was a yard sale fluke not likely to ever happen again and I've debated selling it to buy something else ever since the day I bought it. But it's still here.

Now, I'm a bit more discriminating although I've still bought a few RTI items recently that otherwise don't seem to exist in the US, at least where I live. I've spent more lately because I've reached a point in my life where I've realized it's only money and add to that, that money is losing value fast due to the whims of politicians, it's been easier to let go on something that will retain its value vs the current currency value. At least that's how I justify it to myself.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Now, I'm a bit more discriminating although I've still bought a few RTI items recently that otherwise don't seem to exist in the US, at least where I live. I've spent more lately because I've reached a point in my life where I've realized it's only money and add to that, that money is losing value fast due to the whims of politicians, it's been easier to let go on something that will retain its value vs the current currency value. At least that's how I justify it to myself.

I could not have summed my present attitude up any better.
Do multiples on the same day count towards entry into the Big Leagues? If $ 1000 is the entry fee I joined some time ago. But only once. But boy did it pay off. or will when my heirs have a yard sale.

[LTPayton88]

I guess my dive was actually a few minutes ago when I dropped $2300 on 2 M1886 M27 Lebel rifles. One is in original shape and great condition the other is sporterized but there were very few made.

[rescuerandy2]

I do remember the days when a nice Lebel went for about $500! Yes, I did secure it but you know what happened later....

[CINDERS]

About 9 years ago there was enough in the kitty after a 20 year wait that I brought a M47C 1944 Sniper T all correct with its original scope A K & S 16684 & mount a JC think thats Rose Bros.
It was $6K the draws were stuffed but were repaired by a master stock maker it rarely sees daylight just to be oiled & RLO'ed thats my most expensive milsurp I have my 303's all except one were around $5-600/Aud.
My 5MD 1916 Lithgow started as a $100/Aud rifle but in the end probably set me back with all the corrections plus 5MD 1916 bayonet & 5MD 1916 scabbard Wrights 1916 sling brought it up to around $900 - $1000.

[Sapper740]

I remember well the days I didn't have the financial resources to pursue the firearms I wanted and had to resort to trading both possessions and work to get some of the guns I wanted. Raising three children, orthodontry, and college kept me poor for decades. I once swapped an old truck for a Boys ATR and a couple days of labor got me a DEWAT MG08 mit schlitten. Swapping a Sten MkII parts kit and some bric-a-brac got me a Johnson 1941 and attending many, many firearm's auctions culminated in getting an SVT 40 for $115, an Inglis DEWAT Bren MkI for $275 and a new Colt King Cobra for $350. Those days are long gone now but thankfully my funds allotted to discretionary spending have kept pace with most gun values.

[Aragorn243]

thankfully my funds allotted to discretionary spending have kept pace with most gun values.

Not me, my window was open for a brief five years and has slammed shut again. The general inflation hitting everything else has finally caught up with my local gun dealers at least. Last three gun shows have been nightmares as far as prices go. I actually found a pistol I was prepared to shell out $800 for and they guy wanted $1200 for it. I'm confident my valuation is a lot more accurate than his. It was one of those guys that had a lot of nice guns but no prices on anything. I knew it was a bad idea to ask but I had the cash ($800).

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

It was one of those guys that had a lot of nice guns but no prices on anything.

I generally keep walking. I have missed a couple of deals though.

[Singer B]

Gun shows have been tough the past few years. Found a very nice early Type 99 at the show about 3 years ago. It wasn't marked and when I asked the price he responded "$1,000." I told him that even if it was an all matching gun with a Mum, I might give him $700. His reply was "what do you mean, "all matching"? That told me everything I needed to know. A quick examination (with his permission) revealed it was a very nice "parts" gun and since I already have a beautiful Type 99 parts gun, I passed. He still had that same gun when I saw him at the show two years later. If it wasn't for the information I have learned from everyone else here on this site, I might have been lulled into buying it because it was in such great condition.