I would kick you too. $750 for an Auto Mag 15 years ago was less than half the going rate at that time.
The first Auto Mag I saw "in person" was one of the long barrel .357s. The price was $395. Doesn't sound like a lot today, but at the time, it was. MSRP of the S&W M29 .44mag was $283.50.
I watched that one sit on the dealer's shelf, for nearly 3 years, and saw the price go up to $695. Went into the Army. When I got back, the gun was gone, of course.
Saw two of them in a Payless in 76. Standard 6.5" ribbed guns, .357 & .44. $795 & $895. Next one I saw was in 80. Standard .44AMP, $995.
Then
Sudden Impact came out. The price jumped to $1500. (83)
I got a loan, when I found this one..
also came with a bit more than this..
A couple more boxes of ammo, and several boxes of fired brass.
Nice action shot of the .357, Japle! Interesting scope mount, too. Mounted to the grips? or the frame?
I've seen where several people scoped Auto Mags, mounting them to the barrel extension. This is apparently a scope killer. Seems that while they live through the recoil, the sudden stop in the opposite direction when the gun returns to battery is too much. Or so I've heard, back in the day...