I probably spend too much time on Gun Broker, Guns America, Auction Arms, etc., looking through ads and often bidding or buying (and selling), firearms.
Perhaps the most annoying descriptor a seller uses is "good condition for its age"
First. What the heck does that mean?
For example:
Here's a 1907 vintage Winchester M94 on GB that's described as "good for it's age"
And here's a 1902 M94 on GB listed simply as "good condition"
Another annoyance is "RARE". Being rare seldom equates to being valuable. Often something is rare merely because it's undesirable. And then there's RARE as a descriptor such as is used for this rifle:
I have no idea what makes this gun rare.
Being a model 1894? Nope, there have been about 5.5 million of them made.
Being a model 1894 made in 1924? Nope, there were over 25,000 of them made that year.
Being in .32 WCF? Really? Hundreds of thousands of 1894s made in that caliber.
Being a Saddle Ring Carbine? Nope, millions made (hundreds of thousands more than left the factory).
Being reblued?
Being drilled for a receiver sight?
Maybe it's because this is the only model 1894 made in 1924 in .32 WCF that's been reblued and drilled into that the seller currently has in inventory with a saddle ring...
I went shopping for a gently used car this month. "for it's age" and "rare" and "limited edition" were used frequently. The warning flashers were going off in my head constantly.
Perhaps the most annoying descriptor a seller uses is "good condition for its age"
First. What the heck does that mean?
For example:
Here's a 1907 vintage Winchester M94 on GB that's described as "good for it's age"
And here's a 1902 M94 on GB listed simply as "good condition"
Another annoyance is "RARE". Being rare seldom equates to being valuable. Often something is rare merely because it's undesirable. And then there's RARE as a descriptor such as is used for this rifle:
I have no idea what makes this gun rare.
Being a model 1894? Nope, there have been about 5.5 million of them made.
Being a model 1894 made in 1924? Nope, there were over 25,000 of them made that year.
Being in .32 WCF? Really? Hundreds of thousands of 1894s made in that caliber.
Being a Saddle Ring Carbine? Nope, millions made (hundreds of thousands more than left the factory).
Being reblued?
Being drilled for a receiver sight?
Maybe it's because this is the only model 1894 made in 1924 in .32 WCF that's been reblued and drilled into that the seller currently has in inventory with a saddle ring...
I went shopping for a gently used car this month. "for it's age" and "rare" and "limited edition" were used frequently. The warning flashers were going off in my head constantly.
