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November 7, 2015
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“Mint” or “minty” is a term that is confusing or misleading to gun collectors. Mint is an aromatic herb or a place where currency is made. As a sometime amateur chef and coin collector I’m a bit puzzled when the term “mint” is applied to firearms as firearms are neither aromatic herbs or currency. Recently my bank filled my order for dollar coins with mint coins and the result was a bit of a nuisance. When my ice vending machine customers (yes, I sell ice in December!) discovered their change was given in shiny “mint” dollar coins they emptied my coin changers and I had to make additional trips to keep them full! I’m confident at least a few stockings will be filed with shiny dollar coins and I hope that someone appreciates the miles I drove to make that happen.
My point? Below is a photo of coins fresh from the mint. A collector firearm will never be in this condition. These coins have likely never been touched by human hands.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
Mike
Mike,
I too detest the misuse of the term “mint” when describing an old collectible Winchester. Too many of the “car salesman” dealers like to use it though… ignorance is abundant! When describing a high condition Winchester (or any firearm), the correct term to use is “Like new” or “New In Box” (NIB).
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
November 7, 2015
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Very true, Bert. Misuse of any precise term is annoying, to say the least. “Mint” as a coin grade is best defined as untouched. All of the firearms we deal with have been handled and fired, none are “mint”. A truly exceptional Winchester should be described in very exact terms and no more, IMHO. To exaggerate with inaccurate terms will lose credibility. Tell it like it is!
Mike
If the seller ‘tells it like it is’, the honest description should suffice! “Exceptional” is a great description. Just my 2 cents. RDB
Ya I agree with You, se guys, I didn’t know that about the mint and coins, however some folks lack the vocabulary and only repeat what They’ve heard along the way and I guess at some point along My career I’ve been guilty of the same. But thanks for enlightening Me , I’ll be a little more conscious of the term “mint” and try to refrain using it, pertaining to collectable firearms
W.A.C.A. life member, Marlin Collectors Assn. charter and life member, C,S.S.A. member and general gun nut.
TXGunNut said
“Mint” or “minty” is a term that is confusing or misleading to gun collectors.
“Mint” has been taken, rightly or wrongly, into the general vocabulary & applied to everything from cars to electronics, but that idiotic & meaningless BS term “minty” is strictly an invention of gun shysters…which is why I particularly hate it. I must confess to sometimes using “mint,” but “minty,” NEVER! I’d be talking like a dealer!
But for a word the true meaning of which has been distorted even more than “mint,” look up the TRUE meaning of “vintage.”
I would also suggest that the true description af a “mint” coin would be “newly minted” since the word mint is a noun referring to a olace where coins are made. I particularly dislike the term “classic” when describing any old car. The Classic Car Club of America coined the term “classic” back in 1952 to preserve exceptional luxury cars built between 1925 and 1942 and later 1947. The term “classic” is now used to describe any old car even some now built in the 1990’s. I admit to now being more than a bit of a curmudgeon.
OK, and in light of the fact that it is Christmas, here is my “gift” to you all…
This discussion of the term “Minty” reminded me of the Glossary of Terms frequently used by many gun dealers and collectors, and what they truly mean. I am posting this for all to use as a “guide”, and I hope that it might clear some things up:
Glossary of Terms used to describe old Guns
MINT CONDITION: Factory new, all original.
MINTY CONDITION: Same as above, except for the scattered pitting.
GOOD FOR ITS AGE: NRA poor to horrible.
SHOWS HONEST USE: A piece of junk!
SHOWS WEAR & USE: What is not worn paper thin is missing or broken.
GOOD REPRESENTATIVE PIECE: Almost looks like a gun.
ROUGH CONDITION: The outline of this rust-ball looks like it might have been a gun.
FANCY & GENUINELY OLD: Made in Hong Kong prior to 1975.
PRE REVOLUTIONARY: Made before some revolution, not the American.
PROBABLY CONFEDERATE: Probably NOT.
LOTS OF ORIGINAL FINISH: Two screw heads show some blue.
SOME ORIGINAL FINISH: One screw head shows some blue.
SMOOTH WEAR: All checkering, edges & lettering gone.
NICE AGE PATINA: Solid unblemished coat of rust.
WILL CLEAN UP: Maybe with an industrial wire wheel or sandblaster.
ACTION NEEDS MINOR TUNING: Internal parts broken, missing and can never be made to function again.
NEEDS A LITTLE WORK: The Springfield armory at it’s peak couldn’t repair it.
TIGHT: Amazing what a little epoxy glue can do.
SHOOTABLE: Only if you’re suicidal.
NEEDS A LITTLE TIGHTENING: Only one or two major parts have fallen off.
MINOR REPLACEMENT PARTS: The frame & maybe the barrel are original.
VERY GOOD BORE: Traces of rifling amid the pitting.
GOOD BORE: The pitting seems to form a pattern.
FAIR BORE: You can still see light through it.
POOR BORE: The dark at the end of the tunnel.
HAIRLINE CRACK: Stock split in two pieces.
SMALL CHIP IN STOCK: Nothing supports the barrel.
SMALL WOOD REPAIR: Replaced stock.
MINOR BUMPS & DINGS: The gun has been used as a hammer for at least two generations.
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Bert H. said
MINTY CONDITION: Same as above, except for the scattered pitting.
This to me is the saddest cond. a gun can be in–where it has survived the ravages of time almost unscathed, but then someone handled it with sweaty fingers, put it into a wet basement, sheepskin-lined case, or it suffered some other act of carelessness. Some folks seem able to focus on the finish remaining & look past the pitting or other damage like a bad scrape, but to me, it looks far worse than the same pitting on, say, a 50% gun.
Online
Crisp/Crispy and superb are good adjectives when referring to guns.
If you can’t convince them, confuse them
What a bunch of #$%^ on Xmas day. Minty shminty. Coin collecting has a numerical system for grading. MS
-60 to MS-70 in better grades. Big Larry
It all depends on what your outlook is, if your one of those that believes the glass is half full or half empty. When you see a gun is it 50% blue or 50% rust.
Bob
WACA Life Member--- NRA Life Member---- Cody Firearms member since 1991 Researching the Winchester 1873's
Email: [email protected]
Big Mac said
Don’t you guys have grandkids to play with on Christmas Day?!Mac
Looks like having them, if you do, didn’t interfere with your chiming in. Actually, I have something I MUCH prefer, & I’ve just been out walking with them–my dogs.
Minty and many other terms do not bother me at all. I will make my own decision of the condition and I have my own codes.
Even mint coins come with bag marks and scratches.
I’m with you Mac.
I’m on covid quarantine for the 5th day on the second floor of my house, sucks. T/R
1873man said
It all depends on what your outlook is, if your one of those that believes the glass is half full or half empty. When you see a gun is it 50% blue or 50% rust.Bob
What turns me off isn’t the rust per se as much as the evidence of negligence, carelessness, bad karma, etc. the rust represents. Whereas a well cared for gun (or any other item) that has been worn down to bare wood & metal through decades of respectful use I like.
TR said
I’m on covid quarantine for the 5th day on the second floor of my house, sucks. T/R
Sorry to hear this, and at Christmas time. Probably have a good idea by now which way you are headed?
TR said
I’m on covid quarantine for the 5th day on the second floor of my house, sucks. T/R
Can’t you even go outdoors & walk around by yourself–if necessary, early AM or late PM? So long as you’re not coming into close contact with others, what difference could it make?
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