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I agree with your comments TR but question Winchester collectors have nobody like him. I can’t begin to tell anyone here when I started collecting how many times Bert Hartman saved me from making expensive purchases that were not in my best interest…or any collectors interest.
Bert advises me constantly & replies to every email or phone call & looks at all photos I may send.
I have learned & saved a lot of money and mistakes with his help & expertise, which he provides free of charge.
RickC
That .32 Special Merz has is obnoxiously bad. A mix of parts and bad ones at that. Altered serial number on the receiver and the way that caliber stamping has been redone – that was just plain gross.
As far as J. G., like Clarence I’ve not dealt with him in many years. I may have kept one rifle he sent me. I recall a vintage Marlin shotgun that was laughable (e.g. four drilled tap holes that had been terribly welded up and then cross-hatched to match the top of the receiver). I did get my money back. I would never consider buying from him again.
RickC said
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Bert advises me constantly & replies to every email or phone call & looks at all photos I may send.
I have learned & saved a lot of money and mistakes with his help & expertise, which he provides free of charge.RickC
RickC, There’s your gun expert.
Having someone do a pre-buy inspection does make sense. A second opinion can give you peace of mind or save you from making a mistake. Knowing what you are looking at before you buy is the smart way. T/R
Thanks for this interesting story about Leroy Merz. I am (now was, after reading this) considering purchasing something completely different from him on Guns International, and had the same “sense” that something wasn’t right about it.
I’m through with GunBroker, too, especially now that the gun shows are re-opening in central PA. I’ve made three hands-on purchases so far this year and am happy with all of them, looking very much forward to the Forks show Allentown in three weeks.
Dorsey
[email protected] said
I’m through with GunBroker, too, especially now that the gun shows are re-opening in central PA. I’ve made three hands-on purchases so far this year and am happy with all of them, looking very much forward to the Forks show Allentown in three weeks.
Amen! The Allentown Forks of the Delaware is a terrific show. I hadn’t bought anything there in ages until I found this one there last month.
I have never liked Gunbroker.
WOW! Congratulations! Pretty sure that was well beyond my budget. I drooled over a spectacular 1886 at the July show that had one more zero on the price tag than I could even consider.
Off-topic, but I’ve been attending that show regularly since the early ’70s. The crowd is friendly, mostly the dealers are, too, especially since I’m now in the same age demographic as they are. Ha-ha. Please say hello if you see me at the December show. I’m easy to spot because I have a dark lens over my right eye.
Dorsey
mrcvs said
[email protected] said
I’m through with GunBroker, too, especially now that the gun shows are re-opening in central PA. I’ve made three hands-on purchases so far this year and am happy with all of them, looking very much forward to the Forks show Allentown in three weeks.Amen! The Allentown Forks of the Delaware is a terrific show. I hadn’t bought anything there in ages until I found this one there last month.
I have never liked Gunbroker.
This is a heck of a rifle. Is it a .25-20?
steve004 said
This is a heck of a rifle. Is it a .25-20?
Yes. One like this in .44 40 is infinitesimally a much rarer bird, even though this configuration wouldn’t exactly be common in .25 20.
mrcvs said
I have never liked Gunbroker.
Who does but the dealers (esp. the many “no return” dealers)? But all the on-line auction sites (how many now–a hundred?) have contributed to drying up the supply of guns that formerly made their way into shows. So it’s no great surprise that many of them have degenerated into black rifle & camo emporiums, as I’m sure you’re well aware if you’ve been going since the ’70s, as I have also.
November 7, 2015
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clarence said
mrcvs said
I have never liked Gunbroker.
Who does but the dealers (esp. the many “no return” dealers)? But all the on-line auction sites (how many now–a hundred?) have contributed to drying up the supply of guns that formerly made their way into shows. So it’s no great surprise that many of them have degenerated into black rifle & camo emporiums, as I’m sure you’re well aware if you’ve been going since the ’70s, as I have also.
Gunbroker and its ilk are pretty decent research tools and an excellent way to waste down time. I’ve only been to a few non-collector gun shows recently and the question that comes to mind is why people apparently pay for money to people they have never met for guns they haven’t handled? If I was serious about getting top dollar for vintage firearms I wouldn’t bother with collector shows, I’d figure out how to sell online. It’s an interesting blend of marketing and technology, some folks have gotten quite good at it. I don’t have the eye for good photos or the knack of wordsmithing effective ad copy.I think there are many honest online sellers as many collectors have an online presence. The big auction houses approach me at every show to sell some of my eye candy. If I didn’t enjoy this hobby I’d be sending more guns to their auctions despite the fees because they do a great job of marketing, for the most part.
Our hobby has turned into a business for some and things have changed.
Mike
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