Old Dude Garage Sale

[Bean Counter]

So I work with a guy who knows everything about military collectibles. He dragged me to an old dude's place today. The guy is selling off a bunch of stuff before he moves/downsizes. My buddy got a 90+ year old .22 semi auto rifle and a (albeit, sporterized).30-40 from the Spanish American War era from him. Old guy first offered them for $100 each then he gave both to my buddy for $100 total. 

I wasn't exactly looking to buy any guns but if these are ridiculously good deals I suppose I can break a piggy bank or two:
-a Remington 721 chambered in .270win. It has a throwaway Bushnell 6x scope on it. It looks like 15-20 years old but in good shape. Mainly would buy to resell later but may be interested in passing it down as a kids first hunting rifle. He first offered it for $400 and then said he'd go down to $300.
-Dan Wesson .44mag blued revolver. Average shape. Barrel is dirty, and there's a little bit of rust on the outside. I don't like how the wood grip feels in my hand. He's got some original paperwork with it, including a receipt that is dated to 1981. I would buy this 80% for investment/future trade material and 20% for use in bear country though I'd want to put on a rubber grip if possible. Also said $400 first then $300.
-An antique Spanish revolver with matching leather holster. Chambered in .38S&W. Both show lots of age/patina. Best guess 60-120 years old. This would be bought for collectible reasons. Offered it up for $100.
-An antique shotgun that looked like a percussion action. He claims it to be from the 1870s but had no way of substantiating that. Has a 1" crack in the action. The only thing stamped on the barrel was "HUNTER."  Over-the-fireplace type gun. Offered it for $100.

He has some other guns I wasn't interested in: a decent condition semi-auto Remington 1100 12ga for like $400, a good condition Marlin .22lr semi auto for $100, to name a few.

I would have picked my buddy's brain more but he was more focused on what he came for and the deal he wound up getting. I was thinking to offer $550-600 for the group of four... judging from how far he went down for my friend I think he might go for it. I know I've just made it obvious that I know little about judging/valuing older guns  Thoughts? 

[Harold]

that 721 sure would be a nice piece to have.

[Bean Counter]

that 721 sure would be a nice piece to have.

What's nice about the 721? Is it better than a 700?

Any thoughts on the .44 mag? I don't know much about Dan Wesson Firearms.

[JimmyHoffa]

Any thoughts on the .44 mag? I don't know much about Dan Wesson Firearms.

Dan Wessons were manufactured to tight specs.  Well made...almost too well for their own good.  If there ever was a non-custom revolver that could effectively use a suppressor it is a Dan Wesson.

[carpsniperg2]

My friend has a dan wesson 44 mag. It is a shooter! I do not like the grips on it at all. But they are very nice guns. The rust makes me a little nervouse. But if its just a little surface rust. I would consider buying it. What I have found is: if I don't love a gun when I buy it, all it will do is sit in the safe.

[Bean Counter]

My friend has a dan wesson 44 mag. It is a shooter! I do not like the grips on it at all. But they are very nice guns. The rust makes me a little nervouse. But if its just a little surface rust. I would consider buying it. What I have found is: if I don't love a gun when I buy it, all it will do is sit in the safe.

Rust wasn't that bad. My buddy has restored many antique firearms before and he says that with some steel wool and oil that it should come right off.

Sounds like you shared ny observation about the bulky, blocky grips. Do you know if they have aftermarket stuff for sale?

[carpsniperg2]

I have never looked into it, like I said its my friends. He still has the orignal grips on it. Yes, its like holding a brick in your hand when you shoot them Then for that price I would not be scared of it. The one that I have shot, shoots very well. Sounds like your friend could get it all checked up and cleaned up right for you 

[ICEMAN]

that 721 sure would be a nice piece to have.

What's nice about the 721? Is it better than a 700?

Any thoughts on the .44 mag? I don't know much about Dan Wesson Firearms.

I have a hand me down 721 in .270....one of my dads first purchases.... Together we have shot probably 50 deer with it and 8 elk...  Awesome rifle. I spent a summer hand  sanding the barrel and action and had it professionally re-blued years ago. I would never sell that rifle.

[Harold]

theres nothing to special about the 721 i myself just like older rifles alot. and dan wesson is a damn good gun maker. my gramps had a .357 mag and it is one amazing piece ied by all means get that 44 and restore it if i were you personally.

[lazydrifter]

I picked up a 721 in 270 this last summer for $250.  I see lot's in that price range.  There is a brand new never been fired 721 in 30-06 on northwest firearms for $575.  Says it was bought in 1959.

[Bean Counter]

Thanks guys. Any more comments are still welcome.

[rasbo]

my 721 is a tack driver,many yotes would confirm that if they could

[Bean Counter]

Whelp, the family grew today. Big bonus: I got about $40 in ammo thrown in  About 2/3 of a box of .38 Special, about 15 rounds of .44 mag, and a hunting-quality box of .270.

Here's what I paid:
Remington .270 rifle: $200
Dan Wesson .44mag revolver: $200
Spanish revolver: $20
Mystery gun: $20
Total spent: $440.

[Bean Counter]

but wait, there's more...

[Bean Counter]

and more 

[Bean Counter]

Thanks again for all the comments and thoughts, guys.

Any guesses as to the identification of the two mystery guns? 

[rb2506]

congrats,   looks like a great deal

[Harold]

so jealous, wish i could find deals like this... 

[MikeWalking]

Had the same kind of luck at what amounted to an Estate sale.

FN Belgian SXS 12ga bad, bad shape.. Resold it for $50 to be cleaned up for a mantle piece
J.P. Sauer 7.65 1913 100% minus 1 grip (new set on the way)
Savage 15 .22  nick/ding free stock needs bluing/touch up
Winchester 250 lever .22 needs 1-2 parts , finish on receiver shot
Siamese-Royal Thai Mauser 98 mated to a nameless .270 barrel & beater stock & rings (thinking Krylon cammo)
My Fav?  A Winchester model of 1917, missing both upper shrouds and one lower/bayonet lug. Floor plate and bolt need bluing. Otherwise very good shape.

$200 for all, 150$ after selling the SXS

I didn't know squat about any of them till I got home and started looking stuff up...

If I hadn't borrowed the $200 to buy all this I'd want that Dan Wesson.

[Bean Counter]

Good job, Mike! Its amazing what you can come up with at an estate sale 

I took the Dan Wesson out--wow it shoots nice. Yes its a heavy gun, but there's very little felt recoil. My wife's .38 S&W 642 has more felt recoil it seems.

[BlackRidge]

Great haul BC! You walked away with a small arsenal for next to nothing!!

[MikeWalking]

so jealous, wish i could find deals like this... 

Keep looking, you will.  I responded to an ad for a pistol and found they were trying to sell off a ton of old stuff left in the basement, uncared for, for who knows how long. I used to know a guy that found an old 10 speed bike in a pawn shop for $10.  $140 later to make it safe to ride and guess what?  Worth $1000's to the right collector   If there are any Bicycle nuts here..it was a Raleigh Super Course with a Reynolds 753 frame set and the Drilled out Campagnolo Super Record group. The ultimate racing bike of its day.