Your most 'interesting' muzzleloader transaction ?

[jonathan butcher]

I'm still shaking my head over this one. Last night I found a nice and early M1861 revolver online at a purveyors site which I decided I couldn't live without. I called the place and spoke to the owner, we had a very pleasant and lengthy chat and I told him that as we were just sitting down to dinner that i'd call him after dinner to arrange payment, shipping etc. We negotiated a price a little less than what he had it listed for and all was well. He said no problem and I called him after dinner as promised. No answer. Oh well I thought, no problem, people are busy. I left a nice phone message, thanked him again and asked him to cal me back at his convenience.

This morning I was mildly surprised to have gotten no reply either to my VM or email. No problem I said to myself, folks are busy, I'll call him early this afternoon. And so I did so and that's where this story turns south.

I called; 'Hello Mr _____, it's me Jon from last night!' I reminded him of our agreement and asked if he'd received my info that I emailed. He replied, ' I don't know, I'm too busy!' I reminded him of our nice chat. He told me he never spoke to me before and frankly sounded very annoyed. Completely nonplussed I stammered, ' but Mr _____, don't you remember our chat and talk about the gun??' He told me he never spoke to me before, if I wanted the gun it would be at the listed price. And then hung up on me!

I was driving during this exchange and was so unnerved I had to pull over and collect my thoughts. Had I called the wrong place ? Had I spoken to an entirely different person ? After cross checking the contact numbers and online listing I confirmed that this was the number I called and the outfit which was in fact selling the gun. A couple of deep breaths later I called him back, very politely told him I still wanted it and would he be able to ship today or tomorrow.

Still sounding annoyed he mumbled something about maybe next TUES and I left it at that. I considered calling the whole thing off as I felt like I was in the Twilight Zone. But as the gun was a sort of one of a kind I decided to move forward. But I'll never call this guy for a purchase again.This was absolutely the strangest exchange i've ever had in making a purchase of anything.
How about you- what's your strangest muzzleloader purchase, online or otherwise ?

 

[mooman76]

Maybe he is getting older and starting to have memory issues. My mom and sister are going through that now and they get angry at times. My guess is they are more angry at themselves than anything.

Not all that strange but about 35 years back I was dealing with a pawn shop to buy a gun. The owner was hardly ever there and only dropped in on occasion. I made an offer on the gun and they said they had to wait until he came in to say yes or no. Took about a week before he came in and then they said the gun had to be held for 3 days before I could pick it up. I tried to explain, no, it didn't because in wasn't a fire arm like regular guns but I was tired of arguing and really wanted the gun so I filled out the paper work and waited.

 

[jonathan butcher]

The number of folks selling guns who don't understand the rules and laws governing muzzleloaders could fill a phone book. I hope you got it. I hope I do too.

Maybe he is getting older and starting to have memory issues. My mom and sister are going through that now and they get angry at times. My guess is they are more angry at themselves than anything.

Not all that strange but about 35 years back I was dealing with a pawn shop to buy a gun. The owner was hardly ever there and only dropped in on occasion. I made an offer on the gun and they said they had to wait until he came in to say yes or no. Took about a week before he came in and then they said the gun had to be held for 3 days before I could pick it up. I tried to explain, no, it didn't because in wasn't a fire arm like regular guns but I was tired of arguing and really wanted the gun so I filled out the paper work and waited.

 

[mooman76]

I got it and it was a CVA Mountain rifle. I knew it was a good gun but I didn't know how good back then.

 

[Sidney Smith]

My opinion, he sold the gun to somebody else then treated you like crap to purposely piss you off so youd say to hell with him and not go through with the attempted purchase. Some vendors are absolute scum and will tell one person they will sell them something, then 5 minutes later someone will come in their shop and will sell the gun right then. Money talks, and BS walks.

Not ML related but a similar story. My father negotiated a verbal sale at a car dealer for a used truck cap. He goes back the next day wirh money in hand only to find out they had sold the cap to someone else. The dealer dad dealt with never put a sold sign on the cap or told anyone, and another dealer sold it. Things like this happen unfortunately.

 

[jonathan butcher]

I never thought of that.

My opinion, he sold the gun to somebody else then treated you like crap to purposely piss you off so youd say to hell with him and not go through with the attempted purchase. Some vendors are absolute scum and will tell one person they will sell them something, then 5 minutes later someone will come in their shop and will sell the gun right then. Money talks, and BS walks.

Not ML related but a similar story. My father negotiated a verbal sale at a car dealer for a used truck cap. He goes back the next day wirh money in hand only to find out they had sold the cap to someone else. The dealer dad dealt with never put a sold sign on the cap or told anyone, and another dealer sold it. Things like this happen unfortunately.

 

[Bearkiller]

Yeah I had one last year. I did a lot of research over the years for a custom flintlock. I finally chose a builder called and he gave me a build time of just 45 days! I was stoked! No long wait! Well he requested I pay in full, which I wasn't to keen on, but I was so excited over the short build time I paid. I waited two months and texted to get an update and was told he was half finished. Anyway I would text him once a month for any updates. On month 5 he informs me he's had an unexpected 2nd run of radiation for his thyroid and hasn't had the strength to work! The next month he posted on Facebook that the L&R locks are crap, just the lock he talked me into going for. So I ask for a refund to which he says he's broke and would have to finish the rifle to sell to give refund?! So anyway I get a different story every time I contact him. So after a year I finally contact my credit card company and got my refund. If it sounds to good to be true.....
Oh by the way the day after I ordered the rifle this builder won the Master of Arms TV show.

 

[BigSkyRambler]

Not necessarily "strange," but definitely out of the ordinary. I was walking around a gunshow in Conway, AR looking for beater muzzleloaders to rehabilitate and resell. Wasn't seeing much, but did see what looked to be a Dixie Tennessee Rifle in one dealer's rack. Thought I would look, just because I was bored. Nice custom gun with what I found out later was a well known Texas builder's name stamped on top of barrel. Was admiring it and took a squint at price tag. Be still my heart. It said "MUZZLELOADER $100." Looked closer, thinking it must be either $700 or partially rubbed off. Nope! Clearly printed $100. Seller said he thought it was a kit gun and that the owner must have been proud enough to stamp his name on top. I tried not to tremble as I pulled out my cash. He reached under the table and brought out a ratty looking milsurp bag and said it had stuff to go with gun. I didn't look inside, as I was about to start crying as it was. Casually sauntered down the aisle and then skittered around the corner to an empty table for a better assessment. Rifle was used, but in great shape. Bag had two powder measures, ball starter, quick loaders, four tins of caps, #10 and 11, and some really questionable and powdery .50 roundballs. And a half pound of FFG GOEX from the early 80s. I don't think anything like this will happen to me again.

 

[jonathan butcher]

Payment in full up front has kept me from ever commissioning a custom rifle with an extended build time. As in your case sometimes stuff just happens. Failing health is a biggie. Many a skilled and honest craftsman have gotten sick. Or fallen down. Or any number of other every day mishaps that make payment up front not a viable option for me. I get it though.

Yeah I had one last year. I did a lot of research over the years for a custom flintlock. I finally chose a builder called and he gave me a build time of just 45 days! I was stoked! No long wait! Well he requested I pay in full, which I wasn't to keen on, but I was so excited over the short build time I paid. I waited two months and texted to get an update and was told he was half finished. Anyway I would text him once a month for any updates. On month 5 he informs me he's had an unexpected 2nd run of radiation for his thyroid and hasn't had the strength to work! The next month he posted on Facebook that the L&R locks are crap, just the lock he talked me into going for. So I ask for a refund to which he says he's broke and would have to finish the rifle to sell to give refund?! So anyway I get a different story every time I contact him. So after a year I finally contact my credit card company and got my refund. If it sounds to good to be true.....
Oh by the way the day after I ordered the rifle this builder won the Master of Arms TV show.

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

Having an issue right now on something I ordered . No reply's to multiple inquiries as to status. Ordered a Month ago and was advised check was received. Will give a little more time before I pitch the details on here.

 

[deermanok]

Mine is not a muzzleloader story but several years ago, I was looking for a crossbow. I found a company in Canada that was a small business but had a good reputation. I contacted the owner to discuss his line and what I was looking for. He suggested a model that sounded good to me.
After several phone calls and emails, the deal was all set. I contacted him one more time to setup payment and delivery. Then nothing, no more communication.
No crossbow but I didn't lose any money either.
I later learned that the company had suddenly closed its doors. Too bad because I knew they had a good product.

 

[Sam squanch]

In high school,with NO money. Stopped at a yard sale.they had some old shotguns, nothing worthwhile. Then the guy hollers at his wife, “bring out them other guns!” Well...... nice double percussion, like new, but very old. AND.....a percussion target rifle, large adjustable peep sight, about a 1 and a eighth inch barrel. Engraved lock and trigger guard, very good shape. “ well young man, I need $100 for the shotgun , and $150 for the rifle “ NO one would lend me the cash, my own dad just laughed and said no....by the time I got back they were sold....

 

[jonathan butcher]

I hate when that happens

In high school,with NO money. Stopped at a yard sale.they had some old shotguns, nothing worthwhile. Then the guy hollers at his wife, “bring out them other guns!” Well...... nice double percussion, like new, but very old. AND.....a percussion target rifle, large adjustable peep sight, about a 1 and a eighth inch barrel. Engraved lock and trigger guard, very good shape. “ well young man, I need $100 for the shotgun , and $150 for the rifle “ NO one would lend me the cash, my own dad just laughed and said no....by the time I got back they were sold....

 

[Sam squanch]

My friend who is single, and therefore has money, has a habit of hanging out in a different bar in different towns each month. At some point, someone walks in wanting to sell a gun ,chainsaw, or ATV. He has picked up a few nice original muzzleloaders dirt cheap. And made a nice profit later.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

Having an issue right now on something I ordered . No reply's to multiple inquiries as to status. Ordered a Month ago and was advised check was received. Will give a little more time before I pitch the details on here.

Do NOT name the builder.

That is a sure-fire way to get dinged here, and the mods will not tolerate it. I learned that once.

 

[Sam squanch]

Oh, yeah, another one.... with a good ending! I answered a ad posted in a gun classified one day. Called the guy, said he needed to sell his guns, as he was moving. Everything was priced high, but he had a old gun he would take $75 for. But he had NO clue what it was. One his dad owned for years. I said I’ll take it, can’t go wrong for $75. He mailed it to me. What I got when I opened the box........1853 ENFIELD !!! GREAT SHAPE!!! My best deal ever!

 

[ppg1949]

I had a strange experience that still gives me nightmares. This was in the early 80’s and I was at that time a driver for an overnight freight company, when my dispatcher called me on the radio and said to call him on a phone. This was before cell phones, so I found a pay phone and called. He told me my house had burned down but my wife and kids were ok. The dispatcher generously sent another driver to take my place so I could leave for the house. I lived in a very small town and we had just moved in with unpacked boxes in most of the rooms. When I arrived the volunteer fireman were just finishing up. I knew one of them, a young fireman from a church we were attending. He came up to me and said they had salvaged my guns, about ten long guns mostly centerfire shotguns, and my wife had them in her car. I was grateful to him but especially grateful that my wife and kids were ok. No one was at home when the fire started. We lived in a motel for three weeks, then rented a place in the country until the insurance settled with us. About a month after moving into the rented place on a Saturday evening I got a phone call. The caller knew my name and he introduced himself to me. He then asked me if I wanted to sell any guns. I didn’t know the caller. I asked him why he thought I had guns. He mentioned the name of the fireman I knew who told him I had a lot of guns and might want to sell a few. I was shocked and very apprehensive. I told this stranger the firearms belonged to my brother and I had returned them to him the day after the fire. The caller said thanks and never called again. The fireman that told him was about twenty y.o. The next Sunday at church, I told his dad what had occurred and I was rather upset about it. I told his dad because this kid was on the lower end of the I.Q. scale and I knew his dad would handle it. Fortunately nothing occurred after that but not knowing how many people this kid had told still gives me the shivers.

 

[Cosmo]

I recently bought a rifle from a guy who described it as "really nice" and "appears to have been shot every little." The pictures he sent didn't show anything that gave me serious concern (pictures lie). We exchanged several emails and I told him I wanted the rifle and would send payment.

The first indication the purchase was not going to go well was when the day after I sent him payment, he told me he was away from home for the next week and a half and would send the rifle when he got back. He did eventually send the rifle, but it wasn't insured as he stated it would be.

Well it definitely isn't "really nice", and has been shot so much the lock is worn out and needs to be repaired or replaced. For example, the frizzen is so loose it smacks against, and leaves marks in the barrel when stuck by the flint, the sear spring is cracked. The hammer is so beat up that even with a small flint shoved as far back into the jaws as possible, with the hammer all the way forward the flint strikes the pan. And the best I could get it to shoot is a 3" to 5" group at 50 yds. I typically shoot 1" to 2" groups at 50 yds. with my other flintlocks.

I asked for my money back in exchange for the gun, but that went nowhere. He took no responsibility for misrepresenting the rifle's condition and later admitted to have never shot the gun. He even had the audacity to suggest I call the rifle's maker and ask for advice on what to do with it.

 

[Greg Blackburn]

I had a strange experience that still gives me nightmares. This was in the early 80’s and I was at that time a driver for an overnight freight company, when my dispatcher called me on the radio and said to call him on a phone. This was before cell phones, so I found a pay phone and called. He told me my house had burned down but my wife and kids were ok. The dispatcher generously sent another driver to take my place so I could leave for the house. I lived in a very small town and we had just moved in with unpacked boxes in most of the rooms. When I arrived the volunteer fireman were just finishing up. I knew one of them, a young fireman from a church we were attending. He came up to me and said they had salvaged my guns, about ten long guns mostly centerfire shotguns, and my wife had them in her car. I was grateful to him but especially grateful that my wife and kids were ok. No one was at home when the fire started. We lived in a motel for three weeks, then rented a place in the country until the insurance settled with us. About a month after moving into the rented place on a Saturday evening I got a phone call. The caller knew my name and he introduced himself to me. He then asked me if I wanted to sell any guns. I didn’t know the caller. I asked him why he thought I had guns. He mentioned the name of the fireman I knew who told him I had a lot of guns and might want to sell a few. I was shocked and very apprehensive. I told this stranger the firearms belonged to my brother and I had returned them to him the day after the fire. The caller said thanks and never called again. The fireman that told him was about twenty y.o. The next Sunday at church, I told his dad what had occurred and I was rather upset about it. I told his dad because this kid was on the lower end of the I.Q. scale and I knew his dad would handle it. Fortunately nothing occurred after that but not knowing how many people this kid had told still gives me the shivers.

I had that happen once. Message on my landline answering machine "I need a good gun and I heard you had guns. Call me." No idea who that was.

I always suspected one certain friend had spilled the beans. Thankfully I was not robbed. That particular friend had a bad habit of telling a story about someone and using the person's full name. I told him several times how rude and dangerous that is.

I never use names when I tell a story.

****
I tried to sell my CVA Bobcat once so advertised in local trading paper. One guy called from out-of-state. He wanted to "mail 1/2 payment, receive rifle, then mail the other half of payment." I explained to him "that's not how stuff works."

Then he literally asked me to meet him at an abandoned store. No joke. I didn't go. Still have the rifle.

***
A guy from another forum sold me an unfired TC Renegade .58 flintlock for $100.00. I told him up front, "sir, your rifle is worth many times that." He said he did not care and for me to "pay it forward."

I haven't shot it yet.

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

Do NOT name the builder.

That is a sure-fire way to get dinged here, and the mods will not tolerate it. I learned that once.

Then what is the sense of even contributing a comment due to an unsatisfactory experience? Sit back in silence? Its not a rifle builder but a vendor.