Pawn shop find

[Eric Krewson]

I usually spend one day talking myself into buying a high ticket item and two days talking myself out of the purchase, this procedure has stopped me from a lot of impulse buying but might not work this time.

My nephew messaged me yesterday about a flintlock rifle in one of the local pawn shops, naturally I assumed it would be a CVA or TC but he said it had a long barrel, this peaked my interest.

After mulling over it for a while I decided to drive over to take a look just out of curiosity. I could see the gun in the rack as soon as I went through the door, OH ME, I could tell it was special from a distance.

Now, I am an OK builder but who ever built this gun had skills that eclipsed me by a mile. It was a mixture of styles, slender like a southern gun but with brass furniture and possibly a Becky or small Siler lock, the barrel appeared to be a straight GM either 42 or 44" long in either .40 or .45. It had an expensive single set trigger, much more ornate than any I can find on line today. Everything including the patch box was perfectly inletted. At first glance it appeared to have never been fired but I didn't have anything to look down the barrel with me. The wood was figured with burl but appeared to be fruitwood and not maple.

They were asking about parts cost or a little less for the gun or about a thousand, I don't know it they would negotiate on the cost.

I have two .40s and a .45 already and don't need this gun but there was something about it that keeps drawing me back.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Get some pics! Might be a real treasure. If anything, you could buy it and offer it for sale to someone who might really enjoy it!

 

[sawyer04]

I have been in your situation too many times to count. I suspect you will have the right judgement and do what is right for you. Sure sounds like a specimen to behold. It is easy to say to purchase it, may have to talk to yourself for a little longer than usual on this one.

 

[springfield art]

I usually spend one day talking myself into buying a high ticket item and two days talking myself out of the purchase, this procedure has stopped me from a lot of impulse buying but might not work this time.

My nephew messaged me yesterday about a flintlock rifle in one of the local pawn shops, naturally I assumed it would be a CVA or TC but he said it had a long barrel, this peaked my interest.

After mulling over it for a while I decided to drive over to take a look just out of curiosity. I could see the gun in the rack as soon as I went through the door, OH ME, I could tell it was special from a distance.

Now, I am an OK builder but who ever built this gun had skills that eclipsed me by a mile. It was a mixture of styles, slender like a southern gun but with brass furniture and possibly a Becky or small Siler lock, the barrel appeared to be a straight GM either 42 or 44" long in either .40 or .45. It had an expensive single set trigger, much more ornate than any I can find on line today. Everything including the patch box was perfectly inletted. At first glance it appeared to have never been fired but I didn't have anything to look down the barrel with me. The wood was figured with burl but appeared to be fruitwood and not maple.

They were asking about parts cost or a little less for the gun or about a thousand, I don't know it they would negotiate on the cost.

I have two .40s and a .45 already and don't need this gun but there was something abut it that keeps drawing me back.

Pawn shops are all about negotiating! Sounds neat! Yeah, pics, please, if you buy. Bore no doubt fine.

 

[ghostdncr]

Based on the typical pawn/gun shop fodder around here (and absence of flintlocks), I'd probably just buy it and worry about what I had bought after getting it home.

 

[SOLANCO]

Don't let it get away. By your own admission rifles like that do not come along every day. If you go back and it is gone you will have a whole different brand of remorse. Likely discover how difficult it is to kick yourself in the butt.
There's a difference between a work of art and just another rifle.

 

[Ricochet]

I would love to see some pictures after hearing you describe it!! Sounds like a gem!

 

[Eric Krewson]

They were selling the gun on consignment, I asked who made it, they said they could find out. This gun had no carving except the beaver tails at the lock, it had forestock and buttstock moldings. As a credit to the builder every pin holding the ramrod pipes was perfectly centered in the forestock molding, I am thinking the barrel pins were as well.

 

[Brokennock]

They were selling the gun on consignment, I asked who made it, they said they could find out. This gun had no carving except the beaver tails at the lock, it had forestock and buttstock moldings. As a credit to the builder every pin holding the ramrod pipes was perfectly centered in the forestock molding, I am thinking the barrel pins were as well.

Don't let them try to find out. The less research they do, the better for you. It could turn out to be a well respected builder and they will find that out and up the price.

If they roughly want just cost of parts,,,,
what the heck are you waiting for?
Go back with a light that will let you see the bore, if it is good, buy it.
Sounds like you could easily make a profit on it if you decide not to keep it.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

Buy it . Make a lesser offer first , within reason , but pay the thousand if you have to and have the cash . You should have took pictures to share .

 

[BrantWW]

Buy it for me!

 

[Dibbuk]

Grab it. It is speaking to you. If you change your mind later, you can always get your money back by offering it here, and if you don't buy it, it will haunt you for years.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Keep in mind the market for ml rifles is very small. Pawn Shop and seller are lucky to have a buyer come along. Do negotiate.

 

[William Lincoln]

Probably being sold for a Widow or someone now disabled.
If an estate item, they will come down some. If the bore is
decent, and you can get a Bill of Sale from owner(or letter of Origin)
, not just from pawnshop,, and you can afford it; then buy it- even if they
hold price solid- buy it. The history will add to the value so
see if you can get the real owner's name After the sale.
Plenty of people will pay a grand for that as a wall hanger
in a fine home over a stone fireplace.

 

[Robby]

You know the cost of part and the work that goes into making one of these guns first hand. If it has quality parts and the craftsmanship is there, it sounds like a more than fair price.
Robby

 

[Bassdog1]

I would jump on it. Having a 40 Flint built now if its a 45 I would love to own it as you described it.

 

[MSW]

Sir,

Please take the sage advice of a certified and licensed curmudgeon:






buy the gun

 

[tnlonghunter]

GEEEEEEEET IIIIIIIIITTTTT!

 

[andy52]

I would walk in and place 8 Franklins on the counter and see where it goes.

 

[ghostdncr]

I'm seeing a trend here...