[ithacaartist]

Having re-read the beginning part, it's a case of two uninformed parties that made a deal. The surprising disparity was apparently discovered here, after the gun was bought, and the new owner became a new member after the purchase.

I know what you mean, though. The major beneficiary of the transaction seems to be an appropriate steward of history and respectful of what he now has. At least this is better than its having been bought by one of those heinous "flippers," who doesn't give a damn about the gun--just the $, and then sold to someone with more money than appreciation or good intent.

I bought a bunch of parts for Erma toggle pistols. I was on a budget, so I counter-offered a hundred dollars less than the asking price, and the seller accepted. Not too long after, I had sold enough of the parts that I was able to send the guy a PayPal to cover the amount I'd bargained him down. He was happy with my gesture, and I was happier, too.