Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Working the booth, hot...

This guy comes up to the table, "Excuse me, could ya'll help me with the value of a gun?" We said sure, and he pulls out a WWI, that's DUBYA-DUBYA ONE, Colt 1911, with a 1913 manufacturing date, in PERFECT condition with a MATCHING U.S. Issued holster.

We're talking the original blue is still in spots, simple holster wear, tight as a virgin's honeypot, correct grips, original magazine, bearing all the correct proofs, inspections, and stamp marks. With a hand hammer serial number...

We were e-mail folks, some were taking photos, it was like someone walking up, and saying "I have this Dusenberg, could you tell me the value?"

After all those years of volunteering, that was the coolest thing I have seen. We explained we're "lowballing" the figure of value ($3500-$4000), at auction you'd get more, but he explained that it was his Granddad's who was a courier in WWI, and he had lil' cause to use it, but they shot it years ago. I'm thinking "You learned to shoot with a gun valued in the thousands."

He also explained his son wasn't interested in firearms. We advised him to save it for the grandkids, but also how to CARE for the weapon! Because that THAT rocked! Best moment at a gunshow in a LONG time!

This thread needs pictures

OakRidgeStars wrote:This thread needs pictures

I'll second that

Some pics would be nice; but they might set off my addiction. I dream occasionally about finding some old codger with an original Colt - maybe one of those with the bright blue fittings. A friend of mine told me a while back he was pretty sure his deceased dad had had a 1911 from WWII and he insisted (in spite of the fact that I showed him what they might be worth and offered to pay him) he wanted NO money; that he'd hunt it up and GIVE it to me. Turned out his mother, who was deep into dementia, had given it to the guy who cuts her yard. I'm never in the right place at the right time. I try to do right and lose out; and the yard gypsy takes advantage of the senile widow and scores a vintage 1911. Gotta start payin' the preacher, I reckon.

My grandfather carried a 1911 during WWII, and he had somehow managed to aquire a second one. At the end of the war, he was required to turn in his 1911, and he planned to turn in the one that he aquired, keeping the one that he had carried through the war.

One of his service mates was aware of the 2nd 1911, and when he turned in one 1911, the service-mate took notice, and loudly said "Hey, you forgot to turn in the other one".

That guy nearly got a severe whoopin', that day.

Several years ago, my uncle, a gun collector who lived in Texas, called me and told me he wanted me to hold on to several weapons he had because he had Cancer and no one in his family would take responsibility for the guns.... there were about 6 total... among which was two.... that's TWO MP40 German sub (obviously full auto).... several very nice p-38s... a full auto Valmet M-62 (I think it was) and a full auto UZI... they were all registered to him. I had an FFL at the time but not a class 3...

I thought about it a long time but declined.... I frankly just did not want to take a chance of driving from Virginia to Texas, loading a bunch of auto weapons in my trunk and returning... figuring that if stopped I would be in jail in some funky Texas town for 20 years.... upon retrospect... I realize that as long as I had his proper paperwork in hand I probably might have been ok... still not sure... but anyway, I didn't do it... and as always, hindsight is always 20/20.

I have kicked myself continuously since then..................... he ultimately passed away and the guns have since drifted into oblivion... his daughter called me once and asked me about them, but alas, I did not have them.... I do however have a very good idea where they are.... as my father, also deceased and his brother.... were extremely close.... and I have a feeling I could very easily put my hands on them now... although I am not sure of the paperwork... which of course would have to be available if this remains totally legal.

The reason for this story is that this weekend, I was at the gun show in Richmond and met a very interesting fellow who is very deeply involved in old auto weapons... he had an MP40 on display and the price on it was $15,000.... I just about crapped in my pants.... because I probably know where at least two of these guns are and as I recall they are in absolutely perfect condition... the one he had on display had a rusty barrel and was a bit rough all over.... anyway.... I may decide to take a little trip in the next few weeks.... I have the dealers card and he told me to call... he may actually read this post and know exactly who I am.. but that is fine.... nothing may actually come of this............ we shall see.............. that was the coolest thing I saw at the gun show..... and yes, it sure was HOT!!