Nick Ecker Says my Pathfinder was a Prototype and Not to Have Been Shipped

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weblance

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I bought a 2" Charter Arms Pathfinder in July of 2013. When I looked at it in the LGS, I noticed it was an 8 shot, and bought it right then. Its a nice little revolver, shoots well, and is accurate.

I recently bought a 4" Pathfinder in 22 WMR. It had to go back to Charter Arms for warranty work, for a barrel defect. Nick Ecker, the president of Charter Arms called me today to tell me the work on my 4" Pathfinder was done, and to expect another call tomorrow, to finalize shipping details. While I had him on the phone, I asked about my 8 shot Pathfinder.

He was surprised when I told him I had an 8 shot Pathfinder. He told me they were a prototype and were never supposed to be shipped. He asked how well it functioned, and if there were any issues with it. He also told me to hang on to it, because it was quite rare.

Seriously? I have a prototype? Yes. I should have thought to ask how many were made, but it didnt cross my mind.

Up until just a week or so ago, there was an 8 shot Pathfinder with a 4" barrel and adjustable sights, on GunBroker. It was there for a long time. I just checked, and its gone. Someone else just got a rare prototype, and probably doesnt know it.

Here is a link to my original thread about my 8 shot Pathfinder.

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=529657
 
I wonder how they got shipped if they were prototypes for R&D? even yet, I wonder why they didn't know those guns left the factory?!

a 2" Pathfinder .22lr is next on my list, would like to have been able to get the 8 shooter though.
 
The thing about a prototype being "valuable" is that you have to find a person willing to pay extra for that particular prototype.

In the case of the 8-shot Pathfinder, I think you've definitely got at least small pool of buyers willing to pay a premium for it.

But, in the case of "low serial number" and rare firearms that I've owned... There was no market for them (even a prototype :rolleyes:). It was a bit like owning one of Jesse James' VW Beetles. Yea, it's cool that he owned it... but it doesn't change the fact that it's just a Beetle.
 
What is the serial number? True prototypes usually either don't have serial numbers or have special numbers that are not in the regular records. Since another has turned up, I suspect the gun is from a limited production run, not actually a prototype. Either way, would it be valuable? Maybe, but FrankenMauser's points are well taken, so don't bet the farm on its being worth a lot of money.

Jim
 
Its still a Charter Arms though. They never really had a huge following. There good guns for the money but that's about it. Good luck with your 8 shooter.
 
First of all, I never said I was going to sell it, and retire off my riches. I didn't ask what it was worth. I know its not a Korth. What I found out yesterday is that I have something unique. It has value, to me, and that's what matters. I like my Pathfinder, I liked it before I knew it was different. Now I know there aren't many like it.

It has a standard serial number, and falls right in line with the general production serial numbers. If the president of the company says its a prototype(his exact comment)then I'm taking his word on it.

I think its interesting that this gun slipped out when it wasn't supposed to. Its something that doesn't happen very often, and I feel its worth talking about.
 
I don't think anyone was assuming that you thought you had suddenly discovered Blackbeard's Treasure. Nor do I think that anyone was labeling you as one of the 'gold diggers'.

I think it was clear to everyone that all you want to do is keep that little gem, and be even happier with it, knowing that it's quite special.
It's great to hear about things like that.


I, at least, simply wanted to point out that even some exceedingly rare items really don't have any more value than standard production versions. ...Because no one cares.
That was the case with a Mossberg prototype, in particular, that I owned. It was a factory prototype for a new model ("Scoped Police") that never went into production, and ended up leaving the factory when they declared bankruptcy in '78(?). But, since almost no one collects Mossberg rifles, and this was assembled with 8 years worth of different parts, there was no special market for it. It was just conglomerated example of poor quality control and cost-cutting measures on what would have otherwise been a very good rifle (the action design in general).

I really do think that your 8-shot Pathfinder will always have additional value, though ...unless Charter decides to make it a production model.
 
I ordered a 4" from my LGS last week, he said it didn't show an 8 shot. I was hoping to get one after reading about them on forums.
thanks for clearing this up, enjoy your piece.
 
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