1) NIB Grade 1 Browning 1886 with full magazine
2) Used but not abused plain vanilla Browning BL-22 (no gold trigger, no "engraving," no gold buck head on the lever)
3) USed and slightly abused pre-safety straight stocked Marlin 1894 in 357 Magnum.
I traded a "shooter" Luger P-08 for the Browning 1886. The seller's eyes lit up when he saw it, really fine shape and all matching but wearing an import mark. He held the Loogie and asked if I was interested in anything on the table. I looked around a bit and kinda winced, and pointed to the 1886 in its box with a yellow post-it on the stock, proclaiming $1450. He glanced at it, looked at the Loogie, and said, "It'll have to be an even swap for the Luger; I won't give you any cash boot." So I did my best purse-lipped, frowning, face-scruntch-up expression and counted to 60 in my head before saying, "OK." I had $485 in that Loogie, and I've already forgotten it.
1886:
(click on photo)As for the BL-22, I got it from an out of the way dealer, almost left without looking at it because I mistook it at first for a Win 9422. But on second look, it was a BL-22. Filthy inside, a couple spots of freckling on the receiver, but decent furniture. Asking price was $425, I got it for $350 OTD after standing there and listening to the proprietor flap his gums regarding his disdain for Democratic presidential candidates. As I handed him the $$$ he said, "(Heck), I gave $175 for that gun middle of last week, can't be too greedy, can I?" I said, "No, I guess not. Thank you very much."
BL-22:
(click on photo)The 357 Marlin was being walked around a show, and the john selling it was having no luck with takers. He was asking $400, and as luck had it we were both heading out the door at the same time. Well, maybe I sorta hung around near the door for a bit . . . Anyway, I asked what chambering, and asked to see it after he said "357." Pre safety, Microgroove, and "357 Magnum" on the barrel, no mention of 38 Spl. More freckling than I'd like to see on a used/shooter gun, on the receiver, barrel, and lever. Bore was mint. I asked to remove the lever and got permission. Hardly any wear on it or the underside of the carrier -- it hadn't been shot much but spent one too many seasons in the pickup truck, car trunk, or unheated hunting camp. I asked what his best price was, and he said there was a handgun in the show he wanted, and needed $300 to make the difference. I guess I got soft on him because I have him the $300. He lit up, shook my hand, and took off back inside the show.
No pic of the Marlin, it's in pieces getting a makeover starting with a soaking in Kroil.
On the ride home, I reflected that in one weekend I managed to knock off the last three lever guns that I had on my want list.
Famous last words.
Noah
