The Ones That Got Away

[Pa SxS]

There are times we are forced to sell things due to financial problems and there are times we sell things because we are young and stupid. I was in the latter category. I've told this before and it still makes me wonder "What was I thinking?"

Before my grandfather passed away, I bought a few of his guns one of which was his PH 12ga Parker with fluid steel barrels. It was his hunting gun and he was proud of it. Sometime back in the early 1980's I had to have the latest Trap Gun but didn't have all the cash needed to buy one. I was visiting a well known local gunsmith and he offered to buy it. I justified selling it because he agreed that if he ever decided to sell it, he would give me first chance to buy it back. It's amazing how the mind works when you want something bad enough.

Through the following years I kept wondering if he still had the gun but I never had occasion to visit him. It was 5 or so years later, I'm at my local trap club and one of the guys says, "Did you hear that Guy passed away?" My heart just about stopped! I said I have to get hold of his widow and see if he still has the Parker. He replied that all of Guy's guns were at the auctioneer to be sold at auction.

I was able to attend the auction and low and behold, there was the Parker in exactly the same condition as when I sold it. Believe me, I was prepared to take out a second mortgage to buy back the Parker. As I recall, I paid almost exactly the same price to buy it back as I got to sell it.

Talk about lucky, had my friend not mentioned that Guy had died, I doubt I would have known about the auction and the gun would not be in my possession today.

[AmarilloMike]

I bought a W&C Scott Premier Imperial 12 gauge ejector at a local pawn shop several years ago for $2500; Damascus barrels with a minimum wall thickness of 23/1000th that had the original good finish on them, Repaired wrist but a good job of it and very hard to detect, Refinished stock and forend - good job but poly, not oil, Pachmyar pad. But the engraving was spectacular. All oak leaves, no animals. I know the engraving doesn't sound very attractive but it was stunning. It weigh 7-4 as I remember. I sold it for several times what I paid for it and have regretted the sale ever since.

[C.O.B.]

Larry thats why Dean shoots any legal buck that comes along....the big one heard him snoring and just slipped on by him.

[Gerald McPherson]

Many years about 45-5o I came home from work one day and my wife told me she was about out of baby food or milk. I had no money but I had a gun so i did not think twice about it as I carried it over to a place where I knew some fellows hung out that would buy it. I never forgot about doing that even though now I don't remember just what it was for sure. Guess what? I still have my girls and I also have some much nicer old doubles. The OLD MASTER has always provided a way. Also I have a grandson who has just figured out how to hit doves. He may someday own the Parkers and I hope he doesn't have to sell one as I did. But if he has to do this I sure hope he is a good father and can without looking back. We will all soon enough lay them all down won't we? So enjoy while we can and don't get to attached to them. Gerald

[Opening Day]

Originally Posted by Rich Anderson

Larry thats why Dean shoots any legal buck that comes along....the big one heard him snoring and just slipped on by him.

Now Rich that's just plain mean.....

There are many guns I question selling , AAHE Runge upgrade 20 ga beautiful gun and like Rich says not sure where the money went to. Still sad selling the GHE 2 barrel Skeet gun but I did get a beautiful CSM Fox FE that I love out of that deal.

[MarketHunter]

The well worn 20 gauge VH that I let a friend buy at at estate sale this morning for $350. Non original forend, barrels cut about 1/2 inch, but still a solid shooter. Was plenty left at that price even with the problems it had, but he's a good friend and does me a favor on occasion.

Destry

[Autumn Daze]

Gee thanks for reminding me of this Rich.... There are several that got away. The one I remember most was at the Vintagers event in Millbrook ,NY several years ago. My son Danny and I had just gotten there and were going through the tents. We spotted a decent G grade Try-Gun on a vendors table for $1500. I told him lets finish searching the tents and if nothing else catch's my eye we are gonna buy that gun. We went back about a 1/2 hour later and it was gone...end of story... I have pulled this stunt more than once....

[Hammer Gun]

Dave, unfortunately you are not alone! Gary

[Autumn Daze]

Gary, It's good to know I am not the only one pulling these stunts..

[C.O.B.]

Dave there once was a wise man who said "He who hesitates is lost" he might have been a Fox guy but he was and still is right

A couple of years ago at a gun show I saw a nice S&W Combat Masterpiece .22 for sale. I hemmed and hawed about it went back and of course it was gone and to make it even worse it was chambered for .22Mag

Life is a highway, sometimes your the bug, sometimes your the windshield