I went up to Gettysburg today to hit the Redding auction that was going on. I figured I'd share some hammer prices and observations for those who haven't been to auctions recently.
First, it was PACKED. Beyond reasonable for the pandemic PACKED. When I pulled up an hour before the guns were to be auctioned, the parking lot was already full. People were squashed in together like sardines inside despite the auction house's best attempts to provide room. It was just completely unreasonable.
Second, ANYTHING will sell at a premium right now. Literally ANYTHING. US Revolver and Iver Johnson pistols that were trashed were bringing in at least $50 and some went over $100 for stuff that most people would consider a paperweight at best. I went there to look at some classic SxS shotguns and there was a lot of trash to sort through, but even that trash sold for well above what I would normally pay for a gun in working order.
Some observed hammer prices and the guns (and lot numbers should you care to look at the pictures on their site)
DWM P-08 double-dated 1918/1920 w/ unit mark "2.RR.5.4" all matching except mag w/ OG holster: $1250
BYF-41 P-08 all matching except for the mag, re-blued: $1325
Walther P-38 AC/43 code w/ mag: $750
Remington Mod. 33 .22 single-shot with sanded down stock: $240
Western Arms Co. (Ithaca) Long-Range 20ga hammerless SxS, dented barrel, visible pitting, and messed up crowns: $300
CZ52 w/2 mags, holster, and cleaning tool: $410
TOZ-8 dated 1935, listed as "unknown military trainer": $300
Remington Sportsman 58 12ga w/ engraved receiver mod. choke: $330 (that one was actually a good price and I wish I had bid on it)
ACC International AK, thumbhole stock w/ sling, no mag. $1300
Smith Corona O3-A3 S.C. 9-43 bbl and rear adjustable peep & intact bayonet lug: $740
Remington Nylon 66 Mohawk Brown w/ white diamond accents: $270-325 depending on example.
The Westernfield 600A-ERI I went there to buy (12ga mod. choke) sold at way more than I was willing to shell out. $390 was the hammer with a really good chance to roll over to $400 but the second bidder at the end waffled too long on the decision. I was hoping to grab it at $325 or less, but they blew past that number before I could even get my card up.
I left after that. I wanted to stick around and see what the various other 03 Springfields, M1s, Mauser trainers, and MAS 45 went for, but decided to go ahead and call it quits.
Way too much money being thrown around for what things were. AH Foxes with no remaining lockup (levers all the way to the left) and dented barrels were going for $400+
First, it was PACKED. Beyond reasonable for the pandemic PACKED. When I pulled up an hour before the guns were to be auctioned, the parking lot was already full. People were squashed in together like sardines inside despite the auction house's best attempts to provide room. It was just completely unreasonable.
Second, ANYTHING will sell at a premium right now. Literally ANYTHING. US Revolver and Iver Johnson pistols that were trashed were bringing in at least $50 and some went over $100 for stuff that most people would consider a paperweight at best. I went there to look at some classic SxS shotguns and there was a lot of trash to sort through, but even that trash sold for well above what I would normally pay for a gun in working order.
Some observed hammer prices and the guns (and lot numbers should you care to look at the pictures on their site)
DWM P-08 double-dated 1918/1920 w/ unit mark "2.RR.5.4" all matching except mag w/ OG holster: $1250
BYF-41 P-08 all matching except for the mag, re-blued: $1325
Walther P-38 AC/43 code w/ mag: $750
Remington Mod. 33 .22 single-shot with sanded down stock: $240
Western Arms Co. (Ithaca) Long-Range 20ga hammerless SxS, dented barrel, visible pitting, and messed up crowns: $300
CZ52 w/2 mags, holster, and cleaning tool: $410
TOZ-8 dated 1935, listed as "unknown military trainer": $300
Remington Sportsman 58 12ga w/ engraved receiver mod. choke: $330 (that one was actually a good price and I wish I had bid on it)
ACC International AK, thumbhole stock w/ sling, no mag. $1300
Smith Corona O3-A3 S.C. 9-43 bbl and rear adjustable peep & intact bayonet lug: $740
Remington Nylon 66 Mohawk Brown w/ white diamond accents: $270-325 depending on example.
The Westernfield 600A-ERI I went there to buy (12ga mod. choke) sold at way more than I was willing to shell out. $390 was the hammer with a really good chance to roll over to $400 but the second bidder at the end waffled too long on the decision. I was hoping to grab it at $325 or less, but they blew past that number before I could even get my card up.
I left after that. I wanted to stick around and see what the various other 03 Springfields, M1s, Mauser trainers, and MAS 45 went for, but decided to go ahead and call it quits.
Way too much money being thrown around for what things were. AH Foxes with no remaining lockup (levers all the way to the left) and dented barrels were going for $400+