Thanks for the Schwing info Dwight. The gunshows around Eastern Atlanta are pretty much geared to modern stuff; very few collectibles, (apart from SOG's, century's and AIM's latest imports).
The few that do show up are too expensive even for my poor buying habits, (look at that, must have, it's only $100 to much <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> . Chromed P38's at $500, import mismatch Lugers at $650 type of thing. Makes reading this board frustrating at time !
I suspect that apparent lack of collectibles may have to do with Atlanta being a large and transient area. A lot of people moving in and out, many being pretty computer literate pushing up prices based on what the see at the auctions, (as you rightly noted). Added to that their relatives and roots are pretty far away reducing the chance of finding the 'it was in the back of the cupboard, you can have it for $250 if you want' type deal.
Similarly, I believe the real local population tend to buy and sell guns in a network I've not found yet, some of them really aren't keen on dealing with 'immigrants' like myself ! (One gunshop in the area is just downright abusive to non locals). Just got to keep trying.
One reality I do subscribe too is that a thing is worth what someone will pay and another accept for it; the price guides reflect an historical trend but the breadth and depth of access the internet has provided has created a more volatile and informed market.
Enough whining; time to go shoot up some WalMart Winchester !