"Very Rare Authentic Antique" Gun Auction

[TXGunNut]

Couldn't help myself, seems to be the auctioneer's favorite phrase. Auction is tomorrow (Saturday) in Decatur, TX and I think I'll go just for the entertainment value. Appears to be a collection of Winchesters and a few Colts, including an 1855 Colt revolving shotgun. If that fails there's another auction in Bridgeport Sunday and they mentioned boxes of .22 ammo.

[Ed Barrett]

I really hate those Very Rare "Unauthentic" Antique Gun Auctions that I've been to.

[longhorn]

Interesting--I'd think a Colt revolving shotgun would bring a much better price through an online auction than a local deal in Decatur; maybe they're expecting some heavy hitters from the Metroplex. Go ahead and buy up all that cheap .22 stuff..........

[Epd230]

Big question is: Will the antique shotgun bring more than the .22 lr rounds?

[TXGunNut]

1855 shotgun was a genuine museum piece, went for about $9K. 2-3 strong bidders on that piece. Had a few other nice Colts but they went for more than I planned on spending. Winchester rifles went for well over what I expected. I bought an Army Special in 32-20 for $375 (I know, too much!) but it's a nice example piece and may even be fun to shoot someday. I bought a huge Colt lock and feel pretty sure I did very well on a couple of Frederic Remington bronzes and a Tiffany lamp.

[TXGunNut]

Big question is: Will the antique shotgun bring more than the .22 lr rounds?

22's are in another auction, tomorrow. I think I'll put my checkbook back in the safe and mow the yard.

[TES]

isn't it funny paying a premium for .22 is like paying Mahi Mahi prices for a gold fish.

[nicholst55]

I've got a Colt Army Special in .32-20, and it is a nice piece to shoot. I resurrected mine from NRA 'trotline sinker' condition, and have way, way too much in it for what it is.

[Leslie Sapp]

NRA 'trotline sinker' condition:smile:

Great description - I own a few of these ,too!

[km101]

Wow, some really strange venues for a high dollar auction! Decatur & Bridgeport ?? But it sounds like the first one drew some bidders. I guess if the merchandise is interesting enough, bidders will go anywhere.

[TXGunNut]

NRA "trotline sinker". I like that. Mines a little better than that, but not much. One of the mismatched rubber grip panels is chipped and the hand needs a little stretch but the crane locks up tight.

[longhorn]

Sounds like a nice haul! I think I'd pay that for a shootable .32-20 without hesitation, may have to trade my father out of his Uberti/Cimarron.......

[TXGunNut]

Timing acceptable now, gun cleaned up OK. Shiny bits on the way from Midway; RCBS cowboy dies, WW cases, Lee 2-cav .314 90 gr mould, sizing die and case trimmer....all in stock and less than the price of a few boxes of ammo.

[10-x]

"Honest auctioneer"......largest oxymoron there is....

[TXGunNut]

"Honest auctioneer"......largest oxymoron there is....


Would have to agree on that, he called an 1873 in 38-70 a 45-70, very careless at the very least. Bought an "Antique Colt Vault Lock" as well but didn't pay much for it. It's an antique lock, just never used by Colt. Popular as a "fantasy piece" these days. Some say "Alcatraz" or "San Quentin" or some such thing. At least I didn't buy the clock that supposedly hung in the San Francisco Wells Fargo office.

[Cactus Farmer]

A "73" in 38-70? Maybe a 1876? A longer "73" type action. 1873s came in 44-40,38-40,32-20,22 short,22 long, maybe even 22 lr. 38-70 is a bit too long to feed in the "73". 1892 is a small 1886, ergo 1873 and 1876.

[oldgeezershooter]

At the local swap meet sat. a lady had several bricks of .22l.r. for $85.00 each!
They weren't flying off her table.

[TXGunNut]

I'm sorry, it was an 1886 in 38-70. I'm already kicking around a rifle in 32-20, guess that's where the 1873 came in.

[TXGunNut]

Hard to say, only real bargains seem to be stuff I don't need. At the right auction it could be fair to all. With most tho it's "buyer AND seller beware".