This one still breaks my heart, as I will never have the chance to buy one like it, as they are worth much more than I will have available.
About 20 years ago I was at my local gun club when an oldtimer came in with a Ballard #4 1/2 in .32-40, fully nickeled receiver, factory engraved, special order half octagon #3 barrel, with "wedding ring" transition on the barrel, and the right midrange tang sight, and windage globe front sight.
I was very interested, so I asked if he might be interested in selling it. As a matter of fact he was, so I asked his price. $800, which was excellent, but I didn't really know Ballard prices at the time, so I passed. Another fella looked it over and bought it.
That same gun would have been well over $2,000, even then, and today it's probably a $8,000 or more gun. It's one of those that I could have afforded at $800, but I just didn't realise what I was passing up. The only consolation I have is the other guy sold it for $1800, and he's kicking himself now too.
