By far the most valued, my Virginia VH 12ga Dad bought for me in Farmville, Va. for $45!

My best deal was when I traded my pump 12 ga, to my dad for grandfathers DHE 12 ga.

I recall what was probably a very bad deal. In 1960, my father traded a pre-war Smith & Wesson .38/44 Outdoorsman with the original box, instruction folder and cleaning brush for an average 1901 vintage 2-frame, 12-gauge, 30-inch, VH-Grade. Upside, he probably shot the VH more the first fall he had it than he had ever fired that revolver.

Attachment 102613

Dad's Remington and his Parker with my Uncle Irv's Colt Woodsman he passed on to me on my 21st birthday.

Attachment 102614

My best buys
 

My two best buys are my only ones so far but I consider each a good catch. My first was a CHE 1 1/2 12 ga 98% DelGreggo restored condition with SST, Beavertail, Vent Rib 30" Beautiful Circassian Walnut stock was for sale at Cabela's store in Missouri, looked at it for two weeks online and was wondering why it was so cheap, finally called them, made an offer that was even lower and they took it, when I got it nothing was wrong. My second was a VH "0" frame 16 gauge 28" 5# 13oz pistol grip in very nice condition, got a smokin deal on that one too. The search continues.....

My best was Inheriting my grandfathers 16 ga VH.

In the late 70’s through the early 2000’s we has a local weekly want ad paper called the Swap Sheet.
I think in the 70’s it was 25 cents by the time it ended it was $1.50
I found out the first place it was delivered to was a store in the city called World Wide News. It was delivered between 10:30 and 11:00 every Wednesday.
Most of the time I was able to get the first one off the stack.
Now back then phones were land lines. No Cell phones very few mobile phones.
And unless you paid a premium for an unlisted number your phone number was listed in the phone book.
Back in the day most people did not even have an answering machine, you were either home to answer the phone or it would just keep ringing.
So if there was a deal on anything, it was a crap shoot as the first person to get there would get it.
I was always the first call, so if someone was home I would be on my way to close the deal. However if no one was home, the edge I had was called a Criss Cross book. This would cross phone numbers to addresses. It was used by Police and Fire departments.
So if no one answered the phone I was able find out the address and get to nearby pay phone,and wait for someone to get home or just call every 15 minutes until someone answered.
The best Parker I got was a VH 20 gauge for $75.00. I still remember the phone ringing in the background while I was counting out the money!
He said the phone had not stopped ringing since I got home! Lol!
I bet it was a long week for him!

Great story Scott

That looks like a trapshooters fantasy gun ;-)

Best deal was in Greensboro NC gun show several years ago Went by a fellows table and saw this Parker 12 ga fairly decent shape ask about the gun was told someone had changed out the butt plate said price was 200.00 I knew what the butt plate was and bought the gun it had the Folsom flying pigeon trap butt plate letter said it was ordered that way! Gary

Nice find Gary!





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