Author Topic: All sellers are pushing the limits? Sign of the times. (Read 1994 times))

45flint · « **on:** May 09, 2019, 05:53:29 PM »

Saw this posted for sale today. I have seen these reach prices close to this in Europe but never here. The pistol is very rare but probably closer to 500 are out there? It is probably the holy grail of prewar spring pistol collecting. It just another example of the prices being pushed by a good economy. But asking and getting are too different things. Lol

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/812823461

Yng@hrt · « **Reply #1 on:** May 09, 2019, 10:35:05 PM »

I have a hard enough time keeping up with prices here in the states. European prices seem much more complicated. It would be interesting to see if the seller gets anywhere close to that.

How would you gauge it as far as condition? Or does this really come into play if its the holy grail?

Motorhead · « **Reply #2 on:** May 09, 2019, 10:41:58 PM »

There HAS NEVER in the history of man kind been more folks who have more money than they need or can likely spend in there lifetime .... Enter the market of collecting & fishing for what "Those Folks" maybe looking for

45Bravo · « **Reply #3 on:** May 09, 2019, 11:16:35 PM »

The seller is in Massachusetts, they want more for everything up there..

His documentation probably says it came over on the mayflower with his great great great grandpa.

SteveP-52 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2019, 11:25:04 PM »

Same pistol is also listed on American Airguns Classifieds:

http://www.airguns.net/classifieds/show_ad.php?adNum=177010&adSort=&StartingAd=0&NumberOfPages=4

triggertreat · « **Reply #5 on:** May 09, 2019, 11:48:16 PM »

It is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. From the photo, I would offer $20 tops. I'm not a collector though.

Yng@hrt · « **Reply #6 on:** May 09, 2019, 11:53:55 PM »

Well, if Steve says its considered by many the holy grail you can pretty much bank on it. You oughta listen/read what many experts (including Steve) have to say about these guns over at AVA...it would blow your mind.

45flint · « **Reply #7 on:** May 10, 2019, 06:15:45 AM »

Quote from: Yng@hrt on May 09, 2019, 10:35:05 PM

I have a hard enough time keeping up with prices here in the states. European prices seem much more complicated. It would be interesting to see if the seller gets anywhere close to that.

How would you gauge it as far as condition? Or does this really come into play if its the holy grail?

Condition is very important as to price. To get close to that price you probably need it in excellent condition in a original box. This gun is still in a condition that would attract collectors. I would say average condition for its age. Pluses it works and the grips aren’t cracked. I would think he could get $600+ on a good day? But they are so hard to find, maybe see one a year and often in worse condition.

Wayne52 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 10, 2019, 06:20:42 AM »

Crazy price on that one

45flint · « **Reply #9 on:** May 10, 2019, 07:52:44 AM »

It’s hard to see from pictures why these are considered the holy grail. But in Germany before the war, air pistols were made just like firearms. The Luger was considered the ultimate pistol. German Airgun manufacturers tried to put the Luger qualities into a airpistol. The Tell 3 made in 1937 was the final and best attempt. If you hold one you think you are holding a fine German firearm. Lockup is like a fine watch. There is nothing quite like it and WW2 cut off production to probably 1000? Doubt more than 50% made it through the war? Who knows. But it comes down to a Luger that fires pellets, about as cool as it gets.

avator · « **Reply #10 on:** May 10, 2019, 08:09:09 AM »

Sorry, I looked really close and didn't see one speck of gold on the Holy Grail. Think I'll keep my $1500 in my sock awhile longer....

Wayne52 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 10, 2019, 08:22:23 AM »

Only three years ago at Kalamazoo's airgun show there were hundreds of fantastic deals on the really old collectables, I wish that I'd been after some of them back then.

45flint · « **Reply #12 on:** May 10, 2019, 08:46:21 AM »

Here is the best look at many Tell 3’s. Best to worst and even one I repaired. It’s also in the internal mechanisms where much of the gold resides. The patent drawings here show that detail. His challenge was reducing the length of the compression chamber so it didn’t look like a air pistol. A lot going on inside.

https://forum.vintageairgunsgallery.com/tell/tell-model-3-air-pistol/