Should I overpay?

[Josh Beckett]

Yes, the rifle in question was brought back by my great grandfather. He was good friends with the current owner and gave it to him as a gift later on. There is another friend of his who has another bringback of his but they wont even let me have a look at the rifle (thank goodness the family member it was passed down to actually cares about it, still wish I couldve seen it). I dont think the current owner was in the war either.

Would it be a good idea to have a talk to his kids and let them know that if they inherit the rifle and have no interest in keeping it, to tell them that I would be more than happy to give them a fair price for it?

Forgot to mention. I know the location of 4 of the 6 rifles and 0 of the 2 pistols my great grandpa brought back. One 98k is with me, another 98k is with the family of a friend of his (I might as well write this one off, they wont even show it to me), the 98k in question is with the older gentleman who is friends with my grandpa, and a K43 is with a distant relative. If I knew the SNs of the pistols and the other 2 rifles, I would easily put a 1000 dollar bounty on them (plus the actual sale price).

He mailed all of these guns back (except for the pistols, he brought all of them back in his duffel bag) in map containers. I would love to reunite my 98k with another 98k of his someday. Me getting another one of his rifles would be like the pope getting the holy grail.

[Engelfeuer]

I'd definitely try explaining to the current owner your sentimental value in the piece, but if that doesn't work, I would go to the kids next.

To have something else your great grandfather brought back would be great.

My grandfather who was in the pacific theater had some things that I got, (my dad was the only son so he got most of the military stuff.) But I would personally kill for the opportunity to get some more of his stuff, because I really didn't know him and I feel like I do better with what I have.

Anyways without me rambling on anymore, I'd talk about it first before throwing around the money. If the kids want it just because it's a gun, offer a trade for a brand new one or something.

[Dennis S]

Tell him he's better off giving the kids the money your offering because when he dies they won't get a third of that.

[scotty1418]

Now that it is clear these were originally your grandfathers I would certainly follow up and try to pay higher prices based on this fact. If you are clear to them that these hold a special sentimentality to you I think you will prevail in the end.

If they are refusing to let you see them knowing that they originally came from your family, that seems very wrong to me.

[Josh Beckett]

Now that it is clear these were originally your grandfathers I would certainly follow up and try to pay higher prices based on this fact. If you are clear to them that these hold a special sentimentality to you I think you will prevail in the end.

If they are refusing to let you see them knowing that they originally came from your family, that seems very wrong to me.

This guy will most likely let me see this rifle, but the other family didnt want anything to do with me and wouldnt even tell me what date the rifle was made (althought we did give the wife of the guy our # incase he changes his mind).

I feel, that since I never got to meet my hero (my great grandfather, he is one of the greatest men I have ever heard of), I feel that these rifles and his other things are my connection to him, and I feel kinda like he wants me to find out about these (I would imagine that he wouldve loved to have known the origin of his souvenirs). Maybe I should tell the guy this. My family doesnt understand why I care so much about his WWII junk and his guns, but they got to meet him, and I never did, so I feel that this is the only way that I can learn about him and his life. If I am turned down, I will be sad, and I will let the guys kids know that I should be the first collector they go to incase they decide to sell, not only because these rifles were my grandpas, but that I will give them a more than fair price for it.

[pitts duncan]

number one ask to see the rifle. number two look and write down every, and i mean every serial number on the gun on every part. number three look at bore. number four ask what unit grandpa was in and did he himself bring it back. the answer to this question is irrelivent but can tell if the seller is full of stuff or not. a matching rifle has a value regardless of who the heck brought it back. i personally don't care about the b s history story if the gun is correct. tell them you can appreciate the fact that they want the kids to have it, but that will not put money in thier pockets. ask what kind of money would YOU need to put in thier pocket to sell it to you right now, and they can leave the the kids the money if they want to! i am buying it to add to my collection, not take down to the pawn shop and be lost forever. i will keep it and pass my collection on to my kids who appreciate guns. then go out to your car and look the gun up in your several books that show condition, etc of guns and see what a fair value is . TAKE YOUR TIME. buy in haste, repent in leisure.offer them what you feel very comfortable paying. they will tell you if you need to pay more.

[Josh Beckett]

First I have to have my grandpa get into contact with the guy, because I dont know where to meet the guy. My grandpa doesnt sound too enthusiastic about it though.

[John Macrini]

I have "over paid" many times I guess you could say...imo you have two factors involved. 1. How bad you want the item and 2. what YOU are willing to give for it. Imo that's all there is too it. Is there some all powerful committee that establishes "worth"? On more common items there is always a sort of "standard price". But when it comes downs to one of a kind items or special stuff, then imo all that matters is what is it worth to you.

[Johnny Peppers]

I have never regretted paying a little too much for something I wanted, but have regretted not paying a little too much.

[steve wilko]

TO Do or NOT TO DO!!!

Well put Mr Pepper i now live by that kudos. Manys the time I have missed out

[Josh Beckett]

Looks like its a no go, this guy just doesnt want to get rid of the gun. I left my number with his kids though. Maybe I will have to give it a few years.

[pitts duncan]

patience is a true virtue.

[Josh Beckett]

His kids dont sound like they care about the gun that much, so I might get a call.

[Max Wünsche]

Speaking of Grandparents passing down weapons... My Grandfather said he had about 5 or 6 Japanese rifles at the end of the war but got rid of them as he thought no one would be interested.

His comment to me : "Had I known id of had a Grandson who was so interested in all this I would have kept them"..........

[Josh Beckett]

That sucks. They could be anywhere.