[safestuffer]

Thinking about having one done. I know he's very well respected and his word carries a lot of weight.
It's not cheap though. $450 or so for a hands on evaluation

Trust but verify. Anyone else had one done, and what was the experience like?

 

[824tsv]

For that kind of money you can buy a copy of Clawson’s collectors guide and evaluate it yourself and still have money left over.

 

[dogface6]

True, dat...

 

[safestuffer]

Yea but a letter from Scott gahimer could take a.questionable gun worth $3k to a verified example worth up to double that.

My word alone as the owner trying to sell a gun wouldn't

The gun in question was posted here. Lots of questions about its authenticity, lots of values in the $2000 and under range based on doubts.
The gun as is, looking correct but not officially authenticated would sell for maybe $4k as shown by similar examples.
Authenticated examples have gone up to $9k at auction.

Scott has stated on another forum he believes it to be authentic. A hands on examination would confirm.
So its worth the money if it is indeed authentic.

 

[AutoMechanic]

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[safestuffer]

If you post some sharp clear photos here, the experts can tell you pretty much if it's original finish or refurbished. You may not like their answers though On the parts, you can check them out quite easily on Clawson or Meadows books. If you want to know if the barrel is original to the pistol, you need to check the contact marks between the barrel, slide and receiver. Even for an "unfired, new in box" 1911 pistol, there will still be some rub marks between the parts

Picked up the unissued 1945 Remington Rand. What is the...

So I had the thread up recently about a 1945 Remington Rand I found at a LGS for what seemed like a stupid low price. It was included as a boxed set with as sold by the DCM in the early 60's as part of a civilian release of surplus 1911's from WW2 production. Kind of like the CMP is doing right...

www.coltforum.com

Feel free to post, either here or in the original thread. Scott Gahimer has seen these pictures too though and has said it looks authentic, so if anyone is posting to dispute the authenticity, there will have to be a good explanation involved.

At this point all that is pretty much settled.
I'm just looking for other people's experience with Mr Gahimers services.
Kind of a "trust but verify" thing.

 

[martin08]

Yea but a letter from Scott gahimer could take a.questionable gun worth $3k to a verified example worth up to double that.

My word alone as the owner trying to sell a gun wouldn't

The gun in question was posted here. Lots of questions about its authenticity, lots of values in the $2000 and under range based on doubts.
The gun as is, looking correct but not officially authenticated would sell for maybe $4k as shown by similar examples.
Authenticated examples have gone up to $9k at auction.

Scott has stated on another forum he believes it to be authentic. A hands on examination would confirm.
So its worth the money if it is indeed authentic.

Seems you have already confirmed your targeted conclusion, here.

 

[safestuffer]

Seems you have already confirmed your targeted conclusion, here.

I know the value an authentication from Mr. Gahimer carries to serious collectors and it is far more than my own. You are trying to pick an argument that doesnt exist.

If people post here that it took them 6 months to get their gun back I'd reconsider

If people posted that their guns came back damaged I'd reconsider

If people posted that pictures of their gun that they didn't take started circulating in classified for sale ads they didn't write, I'd reconsider.

There are a lot of reasons I'd reconsider, none of which are likely from a collector and authority of Mr. Gahimers reputation.

But I'm asking because I would like to hear from people who have done business with him to confirm what I trust to be true.

Trust but verify

 

[hoya74]

I've purchase firearms from Scott and believe he is a totally honest and absolutely professional seller. I don't think you can go wrong dealing with him. He's the most knowledgeable 1911 colllector I know of.

 

[Hootch56]

If you can afford it, go for the letter. It sounds like you are leaning that way anyway. You probably have nothing to lose unless the gun is a mix master or refinished.

 

[AutoMechanic]

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[AutoMechanic]

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[safestuffer]

If the gun is already viewed as original, more expert opinion will not make it more original. For me, an expert evaluation will not boost a $3500 pistol to $7000. it will make the pistol easier to sell sure, if that's what you are thinking
Here is a RR that was recently sold on GB for your reference.... this one is also as new in box

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/968864161

That's fine, and if a letter from Mr. Gahimer authenticating the gun doesn't excite a serious collector at least $500 more than a gunbroker auction without one, I'll have made a poor investment.
As someone who's spent more than my fair share of time lurking on gun boards reading and giving opinions ranging from hogwash to bumping up against expertise, it will be interesting hearing from a true expert.

 

[martin08]

I know the value an authentication from Mr. Gahimer carries to serious collectors and it is far more than my own. You are trying to pick an argument that doesnt exist.

If people post here that it took them 6 months to get their gun back I'd reconsider

If people posted that their guns came back damaged I'd reconsider

If people posted that pictures of their gun that they didn't take started circulating in classified for sale ads they didn't write, I'd reconsider.

There are a lot of reasons I'd reconsider, none of which are likely from a collector and authority of Mr. Gahimers reputation.

But I'm asking because I would like to hear from people who have done business with him to confirm what I trust to be true.

Trust but verify

No argument at all. You asked "what is the experience like?"

Then you said, "At this point all that is pretty much settled."

And I said, "Seems you have already confirmed your targeted conclusion, here."


You are going to get the letter, from what I understand. I am not contrary to your decided direction.

 

[AutoMechanic]

....
As someone who's spent more than my fair share of time lurking on gun boards reading and giving opinions ranging from hogwash to bumping up against expertise, it will be interesting hearing from a true expert.

"Kind of a "trust but verify" thing".
Getting a letter of evaluation/appraisal will be the right thing to do. Anything else will be considered as "hogwash to bumping up against expertise"

 

[azshot]

The gun should speak for itself...when selling to serious collectors.

 

[Todd]

I got dizzy reading above so bear with me.

I think the real issue to hash out first is; what gun are we talking about?

Having a worth-while gun appraised by a respected expert is just a vetting and can help significantly with a later sale (you OR YOUR SURVIVORS) on some guns and will be a TOTAL waste on others.

Too, it can settle the hash in an insurance scenario - again, if the gun is inherently worth the effort.

 

[stavok]

Please excuse my bitching here for a moment and apologies for being slightly off topic, but every once in a while someone asks a question on here such as; "Anyone else had one done, and what was the experience like?"

Everyone chimes in with off topic rants and unsolicited tangential advice and opinions leading to snide comments and retorts- polluting our friendly forum.

Can anyone (with actual personal experience of paying Scott to evaluate their gun) answer the OP's question?

Rant over. After 17 posts, no need to reply with kicks. Just give me some frowny faces and I'll delete.

 

[stan3]

Thinking about having one done. I know he's very well respected and his word carries a lot of weight.
It's not cheap though. $450 or so for a hands on evaluation

Trust but verify. Anyone else had one done, and what was the experience like?

safestuffer,

Is that the Total Cost? IIRC, you ship to a FFL that Mr. Gahimer uses for this purpose. ? Will his FFL accept a Pistol shipped from you? Do you use a FFL to accept the shipment back to you (i.e. do you have an FFL)?

If you do ship it,...most likely, it would be best to ship the pistol out of the Box (ship the Pistol with the Box, but package Them Separately).

KIM, for the (new/like new) NRA/DCM 1945 RR Pistols it might help to have the Original NRA/DCM paper-work, ??

Best Regards,

 

[Todd]

safestuffer,
If you do ship it,...most likely, it would be best to ship the pistol out of the Box (ship the Pistol with the Box, but package Them Separately).

And heavily, extensively and with great detail photograph EVERY INCH OF EVERY THING that you send should you wish to clarify anything with him electronically or through conversation. A matter of clarity and condition more than trust.
Also, for shipping insurance purposes.