oldcrankyyankee said

steve004 said

oldcrankyyankee said

steve004 said

Tom – all of this makes yours stand out all the more as an exceptional piece.  I have a great deal of envy for the one you have (and several other of your M1886’s).  I think you have done very well picking those pieces up. 

  

Thanks Steve, I have worked hard to get the ones I have, not only from the money end, but from watching and listening to alot of collectors, including the likes of you and Bert and everyone that lingers around here to learn about collecting.  That’s not to say I haven’t made mistakes but I tried to limit them. I know it seems like I asked mundane questions from time to time, but heck you guy’s let me in here!

  

Tom – like most of us around here, you have to be cautious with your available funds.  One of the factors I found favorable (and far from insignificant) is you didn’t buy that .45-90 ELW from a big auction house.  I’ve been drooling over a M1878 Burgess .45-70 SRC that RIA has.  Their auction estimate is $16,000 to $25,000.  I figure it will likely hammer at the high estimate end.  So, $25,000 but then add in auction commission, sales tax, shipping…. that’s going to be close to 30% of the hammer price – so figure about $7,000 over the hammer price  

  

Steve, I am learning the art of patience in my older years. I believe that auctions are built around the idea of instant gratification, one only has to wait a mere couple weeks from catalog receipt to purchase. Thats not to say I haven’t purchased from said auctions, I just try to be careful. I have bought some good ones at auction, think deluxe 33 TD with sling, and actually walked away with a good deal.  P.S, I see your dilemma on the Burgess! 

  

Tom – it’s hard to argue against patience, but it’s also something that it’s easy to come up short on.  I know.  I suppose I too, have learned more patience in my older years.  It’s a good thing but can make life less exciting.