Sounds like a score.
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The rest of this discussion reminds me of a joke in the classic car world [modified for firearms]:
What's the difference between rust and patina?
.
$500.
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I deal with the same thing here.
I've been on the hunt for a "junk" Marlin 336/444/1895 receiver for a while, and searching for 336s on their last leg, locally.
Found one in a pawnshop a little while back, that looked like a candidate: Shattered and duct-taped butt stock, sling swivel in the Marlin bullseye, epoxied barrel bands (screws stripped, most likely), missing front and rear sights, screwdriver gouges around the loading and ejection ports like a cyborg bear was let loose on it, rust so deep and prolific that there was actually scale, JB-welded scope base, and no price tag.
"What are you asking for this 336?"
- $650. Comes with a scope and case.
I think he could tell by the look on my face, that I was either severely mentally handicapped, or dumbfounded by the stupidity of his words; and he qualified it with (summarized in my words):
"People don't pay actual
money for garbage like that. They bring in tools, tool boxes, welders, saddles, or ATV tires; and then ask to put it towards a gun, without bargaining. So, we take their money coming
and going. And if the cops come looking for stolen items, we don't lose if we have to give it up."