Uh-oh...

[ithacaartist]

I'm glad this morning that no one has pointed out that I paid too much. It was somewhat of an emotional influence, because I've wanted something like this baaaad for quite a while. Spiffy ones are out of reach for me, so I was more than willing to accept this "fair" condition one since it is affordable to me.

The 1906 I had G.T. re-barrel for me initially looked like an old beater before I swapped grips and barrel. I remember that it had a certain appeal to me that way, but the slight makeover won out and I'm not sorry. But this one seems even more able to stand just the way it is, plus a little cleaning up, and I can shoot it!

This is the only item I bid on, and at low estimate, so I perceived it quite unlikely to come through and was well-surprised when the notification came in. Once again, the hammer price is equal to my max bid--which was through RIA's website, NOT Proxibid, which saves several points off the premium. I'm paying by check or M.O., so that saves another 2.5% compared to c.c. payment.

Rich, that thingie looked like a "counter" window to me, too, at first glance! Never got involved with the plusses; I set my limit, submit a proxy bid as early as possible, and like Ron Popeil would say, forget it! I shudder to think what would happen if I attended an auction for something I really wanted with a pocket full of cash! My system eliminates all the emotion in the bidding aspect of things except, of course, for that moment of submitting the bid.

One detail to which I must attend before it arrives is to get a replacement CC permit. Mine accompanied everything else in it as my wallet took a ride in the washer two weeks ago, and is pretty much papier mache'. The photo came detatched in the process and is blank! Mine is the last county in the state to change to laminated permits, and I hope the county clerk has straightened out their machine by now! It is puzzling that my driver's license, which shared the wallet pocket, was completely gone, and it was laminated!

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

I'm glad this morning that no one has pointed out that I paid too much.

I can't get into the posted hammer prices yet, so I'll refrain comment.

One detail to which I must attend before it arrives is to get a replacement CC permit.

My local permit office replaces mine almost constantly. First the change to the plastic cards (mine is 3 cards long), then they eliminated the fingerprint, then they took another picture [no reason given], now we have a newly elected PP/CC clerk so a new permit will be needed next time I register something.

I also noticed I forgot to update my employer/occupation...Oh, well...

[alvin]

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

I'm glad this morning that no one has pointed out that I paid too much. It was somewhat of an emotional influence, because I've wanted something like this baaaad for quite a while.

For this type of auction, there is something unknown. For example, is it a matching pistol...

But making decision before everything is crystal clear is part of gun collecting (actually, part of many moments in life IMO). Personally, I have made decisions numerous time based on poor dark photos, very simplified descriptions, etc. Some relatively cheap guns (but great ones) came that way.. Of course, also made some mistakes in the past. So far, "gain" is still bigger than "loss".

[sheepherder]

Originally Posted by alvin

I have made decisions numerous time based on poor dark photos, very simplified descriptions, etc.

You left out cheap liquor...

[alvin]

Originally Posted by sheepherder

You left out cheap liquor...

Right When everyone realizes something being a good deal, they would pump the price up.

Of course, should not take totally blind action. 80% sure. 20% unknown, that's common risk in remote transaction.

[hayhugh]

Alvin wrote:For this type of auction, there is something unknown. For example, is it a matching pistol...

They did explain the overall condition of the gun:



OE GOOD: some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned; lightly scratched, bruised or minor cracks repaired; in good working order.

[ithacaartist]

Originally Posted by hayhugh

Alvin wrote:For this type of auction, there is something unknown. For example, is it a matching pistol...

They did explain the overall condition of the gun:



OE GOOD: some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned; lightly scratched, bruised or minor cracks repaired; in good working order.

We'll see when she gets here. As I understand it, the rating could be describing any, or all of these characteristics. It proposes "lightly pitted in places", which is accurate enough--if you consider that "places" could include all of them! The best I've ever seen for lower end guns in mass auctions like RIA is "all visible numbers match", which tells us exactly that, no more, no less. We can't tell, for example, whether any of the numbers have appropriately matching fonts unless the photographic evidence shows it..and we certainly have no information about the numbered internals. Wrapping one's mind and expectations/suspicions around an auction pistol is difficult, so I agree with what Alvin says about the aspect of risk versus adventure with this remote-control, online style of auction participation. This might be my best score yet, in this kind of Luger acquisition.

[hayhugh]

Well, it is not as if you were flying blind. If you follow the code supplied there is an idea of what to expect.

Older Condition Rating (1930's or older)

OA FACTORY NEW: all original parts; 100% original finish; in perfect condition in every respect.
OB EXCELLENT: all original parts; over 80% original finish; sharp lettering, numerals and design on metal; unmarred wood.
OC FINE: all original parts; over 30% original finish.
OD VERY GOOD: all original parts; none to 30% original finish.

OE GOOD: some minor replacement parts; metal smoothly rusted or lightly pitted in places, cleaned; lightly scratched, bruised or minor cracks repaired; in good working order.

OF FAIR: some major parts replaced; minor replacement parts may be required; metal rusted, may be lightly pitted all over, vigorously cleaned; rounded edges of metal and wood; principal lettering, numerals and design on metal partly obliterated; wood scratched, bruised, cracked or repaired where broken.
OG POOR: major or minor parts replaced; major replacement parts required and extensive restoration needed; metal deeply pitted; principal lettering, numerals and design obliterated, wood badly scratched, bruised, cracked or broken; mechanically inoperative; generally undesirable as a collectors firearm in its present state.

NPRF
NON-PROFESSIONALLY REFINISHED/COLD BLUE, ETC.
PRF PROFESSIONALLY REFINISHED OR RESTORED
WB WOOD IS BETTER FOR THE PERCENT OF FINISH RATING GIVEN
WW WOOD IS WORSE FOR THE PERCENT FINISH RATING GIVEN

Some items may have “dual” codes for example: all original parts; over 30% original finish but the wood is worse for the metal rating would be the code OC-WW