Michael, that's exactly what I was looking for. I had noticed that for the last 2 RIAC auctions that I have looked over, the estimated prices were more in line with what might have been given as estimated values had the guns been posted on the forum for such advice. Realized prices, as you said, tended to be through the roof--more like the asking prices and starting bids on Gunbroker.
I sense that the relationship between collectors and dealers has an adversarial aspect of it kind of built in because we are working at cross purposes: Dealers buy and sell to make a profit, and collectors want to move Lugers around at reasonable rates. And though collectors like to see their collections rise in value, it's different from just buying and selling. I'm sure everyone has already discussed this kind of stuff before, but the collecting realm in general kind of takes a hit any time anybody buys a Luger for more than it's worth by researched consensus and condition.
But nothing can remain static. Ron, what's in the back of your mind when it becomes apparent that many buyers are paying usually a thousand bucks or maybe little more for Mitchell Arms Lugers--I mention these because they are the farthest from 1918 you can get! In a effect, it tends to push up the values of original guns, I think. How far off am I?
So, been sticking to low end of estimates for a couple of prebids, along the lines of bidding what I think it's worth to me. But I've tried to apply "forum knowledge" to it.
David Parker
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