Guns at the SOS

[Col.Klink]

I've never been to the SOS, but if I did go, it would only be for the gun genre. My question is: is there usually a pretty good selection of WW2 era firearms there, or is it north worth the trip just for that? Also, what are the prices like on the guns that are there? Higher scale prices, decent, or can one sometimes find a good deal? Thanks!
Grant

[Bill Grist]

Everything You would ever want in HistoricalCollectables

At the SOS and NGD there is every type of Historical Collectable Military Weapon that you would ever want.. Prices are reasonable to out of sight.. This is the best show for Historical collectables in the USA and well worth a trip...BILL

[John Hodgin]

Agree Bill, there was a scoped Fg42 for sale there. Where else would you find one of these available?

[Matt Weber]

Yes, I saw the FG42 walk into the show, and looked at it. His price was out of this world though!

One thing different that I did notice about this show this year that bothered me a bit. Every table seemed to have nice "minty" guns. Sure there was a few tables that didn't, but most were all minty guns. Also, selling at my table, it seemed as though everyone wanted a "minty" gun.

With so many of these "minty" guns, I'm afraid to say that I thought at least half of them are resorations. What are other peoples feeings or thoughts about this?

Also, there were some outright forgeries out there! Mostly in the K98s, but I did see a few Lugers, as well as P38s, that were questionable at best! I also saw a Singer 1911a1 that was an outright fake! My friend purchased the Singer, had two 1911 experts look at it, found out it was a fake, and was able to return it.

But stuff that like really bothers me at shows like this. I just wish everyone there was honest. I know that 95% of the people at that show are probably honest guys/gals. But it's that 5% that isn't that really bugs me.

I group these into 2 different classes. Those who know, and those who don't know. The those who know, are the guys who buy cheaper guns, restore them or fake them, (force them to match), and then try to sell them off as original, minty, or rare items. Those guys are crooks!

Then there are the "don't know" guys. These are people who buy fake/resored/alter guns, (usually from the crooked "know guys"), and don't know it! They try to sell them as originals because they honestly think that they are. These guys are dangerous as well, because you can't rely on thier knowledge about something, because they don't know!

Some of the fakes out there are really good too! So, be careful looking. Remember "attention to detail!" Have a buddy or someone else look at it as well. Ask questions.

Matt

[Gary Cain]

Hi Matt,

I agree with everything you have said. I am sorry to hear the Singer was a fake but I am not surprised. The FG42 was beautiful but 175k is a little absurd. I too have seen a lot of minty weapons showing up at the shows and some of that may be economy related as people need to make some fast cash they bring out the good stuff to sell, but I do agree that there are more minty weapons than there were a few years ago! And they are well done too! Definately a problem.


Cheers
Gary

Yes, I saw the FG42 walk into the show, and looked at it. His price was out of this world though!

One thing different that I did notice about this show this year that bothered me a bit. Every table seemed to have nice "minty" guns. Sure there was a few tables that didn't, but most were all minty guns. Also, selling at my table, it seemed as though everyone wanted a "minty" gun.

With so many of these "minty" guns, I'm afraid to say that I thought at least half of them are resorations. What are other peoples feeings or thoughts about this?

Also, there were some outright forgeries out there! Mostly in the K98s, but I did see a few Lugers, as well as P38s, that were questionable at best! I also saw a Singer 1911a1 that was an outright fake! My friend purchased the Singer, had two 1911 experts look at it, found out it was a fake, and was able to return it.

But stuff that like really bothers me at shows like this. I just wish everyone there was honest. I know that 95% of the people at that show are probably honest guys/gals. But it's that 5% that isn't that really bugs me.

I group these into 2 different classes. Those who know, and those who don't know. The those who know, are the guys who buy cheaper guns, restore them or fake them, (force them to match), and then try to sell them off as original, minty, or rare items. Those guys are crooks!

Then there are the "don't know" guys. These are people who buy fake/resored/alter guns, (usually from the crooked "know guys"), and don't know it! They try to sell them as originals because they honestly think that they are. These guys are dangerous as well, because you can't rely on thier knowledge about something, because they don't know!

Some of the fakes out there are really good too! So, be careful looking. Remember "attention to detail!" Have a buddy or someone else look at it as well. Ask questions.

Matt

[phild]

Yes, I saw the FG42 walk into the show, and looked at it. His price was out of this world though!

One thing different that I did notice about this show this year that bothered me a bit. Every table seemed to have nice "minty" guns. Sure there was a few tables that didn't, but most were all minty guns. Also, selling at my table, it seemed as though everyone wanted a "minty" gun.

With so many of these "minty" guns, I'm afraid to say that I thought at least half of them are resorations. What are other peoples feeings or thoughts about this?

Also, there were some outright forgeries out there! Mostly in the K98s, but I did see a few Lugers, as well as P38s, that were questionable at best! I also saw a Singer 1911a1 that was an outright fake! My friend purchased the Singer, had two 1911 experts look at it, found out it was a fake, and was able to return it.

But stuff that like really bothers me at shows like this. I just wish everyone there was honest. I know that 95% of the people at that show are probably honest guys/gals. But it's that 5% that isn't that really bugs me.

I group these into 2 different classes. Those who know, and those who don't know. The those who know, are the guys who buy cheaper guns, restore them or fake them, (force them to match), and then try to sell them off as original, minty, or rare items. Those guys are crooks!

Then there are the "don't know" guys. These are people who buy fake/resored/alter guns, (usually from the crooked "know guys"), and don't know it! They try to sell them as originals because they honestly think that they are. These guys are dangerous as well, because you can't rely on thier knowledge about something, because they don't know!

Some of the fakes out there are really good too! So, be careful looking. Remember "attention to detail!" Have a buddy or someone else look at it as well. Ask questions.

Matt

I agree with your observations above and saw the same thing.

One thing that I have learned collecting firearms over the years is that fakes follow the money...meaning the demand. If the top money is for antique mint cased colt revolvers (any and all models) then that is what you will still seeing faked for example!

The same is true for minty, matched German rifles and pistols and anything else. I personally believe (no, actually I KNOW) that the historical merits and integrity of many items has been over shadowed by the various collector imposed criteria that has become part of the collecting culture .

Trying to bring this up is like spitting into the wind, but it is interesting to think about.

[Cincylance]

The FG42 belongs to Dennis and Jennie Todd. I had the pleasure of babysitting it for a few hours on Friday It was purchased from the Stern Collection auction where top dollar was paid. I really don't think they wish to sell it, but at a show like this, the first or second question someone asks is "How much?" So I think they threw out the crazy prize of $175k just to watch the reactions. They actually had a buyer who said he would buy the gun on a short payment plan.

The Todds are in the business of buying and selling machineguns, so it really caught me off guard when I realized they were the buyers of the Stern Fg42 and had paid top, top dollar for it. It is in pretty minty condition, but still, $150k is a lot to spend on anything that weighs under 15 pounds!

As far as the show, there were many nice examples of third reich firearms. I especially liked the minty looking K98k with the blond stock for $2.5k. The same guy had this that had the "skull."

Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the gun show next door because of the outrageous crowds of people that showed up for their panic buying now that Obama and the liberal left have taken power in DC.

Cincylance

[MaxxBrunn1938]

Yes, I saw the FG42 walk into the show, and looked at it. His price was out of this world though!

One thing different that I did notice about this show this year that bothered me a bit. Every table seemed to have nice "minty" guns. Sure there was a few tables that didn't, but most were all minty guns. Also, selling at my table, it seemed as though everyone wanted a "minty" gun.

With so many of these "minty" guns, I'm afraid to say that I thought at least half of them are resorations. What are other peoples feeings or thoughts about this?

Also, there were some outright forgeries out there! Mostly in the K98s, but I did see a few Lugers, as well as P38s, that were questionable at best! I also saw a Singer 1911a1 that was an outright fake! My friend purchased the Singer, had two 1911 experts look at it, found out it was a fake, and was able to return it.

But stuff that like really bothers me at shows like this. I just wish everyone there was honest. I know that 95% of the people at that show are probably honest guys/gals. But it's that 5% that isn't that really bugs me.

I group these into 2 different classes. Those who know, and those who don't know. The those who know, are the guys who buy cheaper guns, restore them or fake them, (force them to match), and then try to sell them off as original, minty, or rare items. Those guys are crooks!

Then there are the "don't know" guys. These are people who buy fake/resored/alter guns, (usually from the crooked "know guys"), and don't know it! They try to sell them as originals because they honestly think that they are. These guys are dangerous as well, because you can't rely on thier knowledge about something, because they don't know!

Some of the fakes out there are really good too! So, be careful looking. Remember "attention to detail!" Have a buddy or someone else look at it as well. Ask questions.

Matt

Matt unfortunatly as time goes by and the Market is drying up on these Real Collectables (ie) folks holding onto them or being destroyed by the police and goverment (two of mine pistols were melted down after being stolen and used in a robbery). More and more fakes are going to raise thier ugly heads so that these evil dealers can stay in business.But like ou mention Know What Your Buying and Get a Guaranty, if not Run Away.
Joe
Joe

[Col.Klink]

Well thanks for all the info guys! So there is a gun show that goes on at the same time next door? Also, did any of you fellows notice any MP40s and such, and, if so, what was the average price? I am saving up big time for one, and I'm checking out all the avenues to see where I can get the best price. Thanks!

[Matt Weber]

Hi Matt,

I agree with everything you have said. I am sorry to hear the Singer was a fake but I am not surprised. The FG42 was beautiful but 175k is a little absurd. I too have seen a lot of minty weapons showing up at the shows and some of that may be economy related as people need to make some fast cash they bring out the good stuff to sell, but I do agree that there are more minty weapons than there were a few years ago! And they are well done too! Definately a problem.


Cheers
Gary

Gary,

He told you "$175k"??? He told me $165!! I guess I should've bought it!!
Yea, the Singer turned out to be a forgery. The guy who had it also had several other faked guns on his table that I saw, so it didn't surprise me.

It was great seeing you again Gary, and thanks again for the passes!
I had a great show, and I think you did as well!

Matt

[MaxxBrunn1938]

The FG42 belongs to Dennis and Jennie Todd. I had the pleasure of babysitting it for a few hours on Friday It was purchased from the Stern Collection auction where top dollar was paid. I really don't think they wish to sell it, but at a show like this, the first or second question someone asks is "How much?" So I think they threw out the crazy prize of $175k just to watch the reactions. They actually had a buyer who said he would buy the gun on a short payment plan.

The Todds are in the business of buying and selling machineguns, so it really caught me off guard when I realized they were the buyers of the Stern Fg42 and had paid top, top dollar for it. It is in pretty minty condition, but still, $150k is a lot to spend on anything that weighs under 15 pounds!

As far as the show, there were many nice examples of third reich firearms. I especially liked the minty looking K98k with the blond stock for $2.5k. The same guy had this that had the "skull."

Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the gun show next door because of the outrageous crowds of people that showed up for their panic buying now that Obama and the liberal left have taken power in DC.

Cincylance

OMG way to funny on how folks think that there will be a Nation Wide Gun and Ammo Band... This will not happen at all. Everytime we get a new President it's the same broken record that gets play over and over and over again. And the thing is 90% of of the "Our Guns is being taken away " is from a bunch of backwoods yokles who are gun fanatics looking to shoot up roadsigns and schools.

[WalterB]

OMG way to funny on how folks think that there will be a Nation Wide Gun and Ammo Band... This will not happen at all. Everytime we get a new President it's the same broken record that gets play over and over and over again. And the thing is 90% of of the "Our Guns is being taken away " is from a bunch of backwoods yokles who are gun fanatics looking to shoot up roadsigns and schools.

Funny, this comment coming from a guy who lives in California. Thanks to the "backwood yokles", Texas is not like California or New York City with respect to gun ownership And thank God for that!!

[Skipper Greenwade]

OMG way to funny on how folks think that there will be a Nation Wide Gun and Ammo Band... This will not happen at all. Everytime we get a new President it's the same broken record that gets play over and over and over again. And the thing is 90% of of the "Our Guns is being taken away " is from a bunch of backwoods yokles who are gun fanatics looking to shoot up roadsigns and schools.

Take a look at the proposed bill HR-45. No mention of a ban, but It's sure as hell the first step. If it passes, the next bill - with more restrictions - will come along or be buried in a totally un-related piece of legislation.

I'm not one who typically believes all "the sky is falling" hype, but this one looks like it's for real and the current powers that be in Washington sre not to be trusted. What better way to distract the 'sheeple' from the real issues of the day (the economy, illegal immigration, etc.)?

This time it's scary...
Skip

[Matt Weber]

I have to agree with Skip on this. I don't go for the "sky is falling" talk either. I hear it at work everyday. However, this administration is definately out to make "changes". Not all the changes are good one people!!!

Matt

[Matt Weber]

Let's get off the political wagon now, and back to the subject at hand; Guns at the SOS. Any other thoughts on what you saw at the SOS or NGD?

Matt