[Bill in VA]

But it's mint, including aftermarket recoil pad!

You said it!!!

The term I find most laughable is "unfired". ALL guns have been fired at proofing. So really, to be accurate, it might be UNFIRED after the factory proofing. Unfired is also not 'unfired by me'...

Another abused term is N.I.B. or "new in box" for an older gun. To me N.I.B., means never before sold at retail. If it is mint, AND has all the original paperwork, ads, coupons, etc. it qualifies as an A.N.I.B. or "as new in box." A gun can be N.I.B. once in its life. After that it is A.N.I.B., or mint.

And let us not forget the famous 'weasel words' of collecting, especially with military surplus: "prototype", or "transitional." (Extra brownie-points for the adjective 'rare' or 'scarce'.) Both do exist if documented in available published resources, but without documentation it often just a mismatch or rebuilt piece, or has been prior owner enhanced.

I still enjoy a good gunshow, and even more if I find something. I have learned that both sides of the aisle and tables have their issues. The sellers who because they are selling it, the item is gold, or they are over-describing it (remember, caveat emptor still applies); and then in the aisles are the pikers, cheapskates, and tire kickers looking for the door of the time machine to 30 years ago prices, while bragging about the one they had way back when (well, why did you sell it?)

 

[Jayel]

I like how the carrier screw is backed about halfway out on a “Minty” rifle. That right there should be a red flag that the seller is an idiot.

I think you got that wrong, the seller is not the idiot.

 

[Snaveba]

true. I suppose I meant not all there.

 

[Marlin87]

Wow, guess I screwed up not buying the last 100 year 30-30 for $850. I guess the one I was looking at didn’t have that ugly aftermarket butt pad…

 

[hunterpa]

What would this 100 year 35 rem be worth

 

[welldoya]

I was in a LGS today and there was a Win 94 XTR 30/30 on the used rack. There were a couple of spots on the barrel and stock but overall very nice condition.
The employee saw me looking at it, came over and said “When that one was traded in it still had the tags on it.”
Now, if the tags were on it, do you think it would increase the value to take them off?

 

[Redthies]

I was in a LGS today and there was a Win 94 XTR 30/30 on the used rack. There were a couple of spots on the barrel and stock but overall very nice condition.
The employee saw me looking at it, came over and said “When that one was traded in it still had the tags on it.”
Now, if the tags were on it, do you think it would increase the value to take them off?

As in the original Winchester hang tags? Only a fool would take those off if collecting or re-selling.

 

[Redthies]

I went to the local show today in Colville Wa. Most stuff was of no interest to me (ARs etc), but one guy had a few nice levers. Prices were strong…

 

[Redthies]

A couple of Winchesters too.

 

[Redthies]

I ended up just buying a rustic scabbard at an old warehouse full of stuff. Pictured with my 1911 vintage Model 1894 in 30 WCF, which I bought it for.

Note it’s “new in the box and unfired condition“. Only $17,495.00

 

[Colonel26]

It’s been interesting to read about the gun shows in your areas. I’m blessed. The gun show here locally is a pretty good show. Most things are way over priced for sure. But there are deals to be had If you know what you’re looking at or have trade fodder. You can also find deals if you’re looking for something that others aren’t. Plus it’s mostly NON AR stuff.

Lever actions are just catching on here as collectibles. That means the pickings aren’t as plenteous here as in other places. But you can find deals typically when you do run up on them.

Two shows ago everyone and their brother were selling new Rossi 357 and 44 lever guns NIB for more than MSRP and people were lining up like lemmings to buy them. Everyone of the, walking right past a minty 1978 Texan 30-30 right by the front door. It was priced lower than what the sellers were asking for the Rossis. So I let them have the Rossi rifles and I went home with the Texan.

Last gun show, again, right by the front door was an absolutely beautiful 1964 Westernfield Marlin 30-30, walnut wood and everything. It too came home for less than my wife paid two Christmases ago for a 1980 336 RC in worse shape.

In short…y’all stay away from my gun show!

 

[Colonel26]

I ended up just buying a rustic scabbard at an old warehouse full of stuff. Pictured with my 1911 vintage Model 1894 in 30 WCF, which I bought it for.

Note it’s “new in the box and unfired condition“. Only $17,495.00

View attachment 920336

Nice!

 

[fdashes]

View attachment 919468
A buddy from Texas sent me this pic today. He wasn’t able to go, but a friend of his took this picture and sent it to him, and he sent it to me…

Look at the 336 “100 year anniversary gun”. Mint he says!

And my friend’s buddy said that right after he took the pic another guy walked up, bought it, and was bragging about the deal he just got.

I think I’m going to take all of mine to the Texas panhandle and set up at the next gun show. (No I’m not, but if that is the state of affairs, it sure is tempting.)

As long as people are willing to pay the price the longer this will go on

 

[sd336nut]

I was at a show Saturday and saw a very well stocked Western Field Bolt action 30-06. I asked the vendor who the manufacture was. Mossberg he replied. Damn good looking rifle with burl walnut in the stock. $450 was the asking price. Damn near went back today and picked it up. Over my allotment of idiot money this month or I would have. Best deal at the sale from my point of view. Hardly any wear on it. Jeweled bolt still looked new. Another interesting thing I saw was a lady at a knife table asking if they had anything in left hand?

 

[Sean4570]

I had attended a gun show with a dealer friend and we had about 10 tables.
I had a CETME clone that I had got on a trade and really did not want it.
So I put $450.00 on it. well it got handled more that first day than it's entire life!
At the end of the day it was still on the table. The next day I put $650.00 on it, one of the same guys that looked at it the day before came by and asked if I had sold the 450.00 one to which I said yes.
He bought it for 625.00!