2 Pythons at auction

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sailor723

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I see that there are 2 mid 70's era Pythons the next Switzer's auction (Dec 9). One is blued and one nickle, both with boxes. The nickle one is already up to $3500 in online pre bidding. I seem to recall a thread recently suggesting that Python prices had peaked and were starting to decline. It will be interesting to see where these end up price wise. Remember, the final auction hammer price does not include a 15% buyer's premium and is plus tax so that gun with the 3500 bid is actually sitting at $4,025 plus tax.
 
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Someone really wants that Python. I've seen some mint ones around the $3000. Going up to $4500. better be brand new, never shot in a box that looked like it came off the factory floor but that's just me.
 
GLS_1956 said:
I bought my Python in the 70s, I paid around $400US back then. The Python IS NOT a $2500+ gun. The are maybe a $1200US to $1600US gun, when the show "The Walking Dead" goes off then air the price will drop drastically.
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This may be true but I have to ask what's comparable at the same price? I looked into it and other than more pricey brands like Korth, I can't seem to find any competetion in that special market area. They are either not available to be purchased or cost even more than a used Python. Is Dan Wesson a better revolver? One attraction of the Python is it's buttery smooth action, it's looks, and it's inherent accuracy.
 
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Good morning,
The Python has always been a mythic revolver.
In 1973 movie "Magnum Force", all young motorcycle cops carried a Python.
In the 1982 french movie "Le Grand Pardon", the Python is the revolver of the jewish godfather.
In the 1976 french movie "Police Python 357", the Inspector portrayed by Yves Montand carries a Python; the star of the movie was the Python.

My 1983 Nytex Python was CAN $ 750.00.
Add CAN $ 100.00 for a made to measure goncalo alves with rosewood butt grip, made by Guy Hogue.
In comparison, they were more expensive then than now.
 
Interesting. I'm sure there are some good deals to be had but a lot of stuff seems to really get bid up at Switzer's.
 
FALover said:
One issue is that with on-line biding, you get a larger audience and even international bidders.
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Yep, I think it's actually a truer measure of market value. Pure capitalism.....the widest possible market competing for the same product. Auction "fever" and a sense of competition can sometimes play a part as well.

I see the nickle gun is rated 10/10 and as "appears unfired" while the blued one is 9/10. Both have the original box. I think both will bring strong dollars. I don't think JohnnyPython's guess will be too far off although he might be a little high on the blue....maybe high 2's on that one?

I see the nickle gun has German proofs/import marks.....wonder if that hurts or helps the value?

edit I think gdawg has a point. The US collectable market is significantly stronger than the Canadian.
 
Do you know what other fees the seller must cover? If you want to hit the biggest market and get top dollar for your Python or P7, etc., that seems like the way to go. But I always assumed the seller only netted 50-70% of the total with these auction houses. Maybe I'm drawing an erroneous comparison with the art auctions.
 
In my youth about the mid 1970's, i worked in a local gun shop. I recall selling new Pythons for $330 but this was when a new S&W Model 14 cost $190 and a new Browning Hi Power was $240.

So Pythons have always got a premium price, but anything that is no longer produced and still in high demand will skyrocket in price. Then add in the media hype from some TV show and what should be a $1500 gun is $3000 and up. I wished I had kept the 2 I had!
 
gdawg said:
Do you know what other fees the seller must cover? If you want to hit the biggest market and get top dollar for your Python or P7, etc., that seems like the way to go. But I always assumed the seller only netted 50-70% of the total with these auction houses. Maybe I'm drawing an erroneous comparison with the art auctions.
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I think the seller's fee at Switzer's is 25% of the hammer price....plus you would pay the shipping to get it to them for the auction.

makes membership fees here look pretty cheap!;)
 
tobin said:
In my youth about the mid 1970's, i worked in a local gun shop. I recall selling new Pythons for $330 but this was when a new S&W Model 14 cost $190 and a new Browning Hi Power was $240.

So Pythons have always got a premium price, but anything that is no longer produced and still in high demand will skyrocket in price. Then add in the media hype from some TV show and what should be a $1500 gun is $3000 and up. I wished I had kept the 2 I had!
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Got my Snakes a Python and a Diamondback in the early 80's for 600 each...Gotta show the wife this thread...I'm a genius investor.
 
sailor723 said:
I think the seller's fee at Switzer's is 25% of the hammer price....plus you would pay the shipping to get it to them for the auction.

makes membership fees here look pretty cheap!;)
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Definitely!

Thanks. Seem like net profit could be close either way. Probably would still pocket more from Switzer on the really rare stuff.
 
gdawg said:
Definitely!

Thanks. Seem like net profit could be close either way. Probably would still pocket more from Switzer on the really rare stuff.
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Yes, but don't forget you are taking the risk it might be an off day at the auction and your item sells below what you hoped for. At least with the EE you decide to sell or not when you get an offer. I couldn't see anything in Switzer's info to indicate they allow a reserve so I think whatever is bid is what it sells for.
 
In The Black said:
Bid WAY up. It always appears that if others can't have it, they're quite happy to drive the price up for fun or spite.

ITB
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Or to try and ensure that guys they may be competing with later in the auction have lighter pockets when the time comes for the things they really want.

If there are 5 similar guns and the one I want is 4th to sell, I have no problem watching/reading the crowd/bidders and throwing bids out on the earlier ones on the block that I don't want. You just need to be comfortable with the possibility you may get stuck with it... or that others may realize they couldn't get one of the first ones, really want it, and succumb to auction fever and pay a ridiculous price on it because there are no more to come.

Always research values as best as possible in advance, and more importantly always set a max price which considers the 10 or 15% hammer fee and 13% tax that will be slapped on top.
 
sailor723 said:
I see that there are 2 mid 70's era Pythons in this Saturday's Switzer's auction. One is blued and one nickle, both with boxes. The nickle one is already up to $3500 in online pre bidding. I seem to recall a thread recently suggesting that Python prices had peaked and were starting to decline. It will be interesting to see where these end up price wise. Remember, the final auction hammer price does not include a 15% buyer's premium and is plus tax so that gun with the 3500 bid is actually sitting at $4,025 plus tax.
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Cashing out on the walking deAd. Ratings are dropping. Show will be cancelled. Time to sell is now.
 
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