Couple of snakes

December 30, 2024, 05:30 PM

Biker_dude

quote:
Originally posted by Todd Huffman:
quote:
Originally posted by Biker_dude:
I can't see them very well. Can you make them bigger?

Trying to figure it out now. Got it!

Good job. Now, how'd you do it? I'd like to post some pics, but they're like billboards now.

December 30, 2024, 05:33 PM

Todd Huffman

quote:
Originally posted by Biker_dude:
quote:
Originally posted by Todd Huffman:
quote:
Originally posted by Biker_dude:
I can't see them very well. Can you make them bigger?

Trying to figure it out now. Got it!

Good job. Now, how'd you do it? I'd like to post some pics, but they're like billboards now.

I went to a different hosting site that I could choose sizes. Postimage allows you to do that. Imgur doesn’t.

December 30, 2024, 07:28 PM

wrightd

If the Snake in your first pic is factory nickel, that might be worth more than an equivalent in bright stainless. They are gorgeous for sure, a very nice gift.

December 30, 2024, 07:40 PM

Todd Huffman

quote:
Originally posted by wrightd:
If the Snake in your first pic is factory nickel, that might be worth more than an equivalent in bright stainless. They are gorgeous for sure, a very nice gift.

It is nickel. Stainless wasn’t introduced until 1983 and this is a 1978.

December 30, 2024, 07:55 PM

dsiets

quote:
Originally posted by Todd Huffman:

I went to a different hosting site that I could choose sizes. Postimage allows you to do that. Imgur doesn’t.

I believe that at Imgur you can put an l,m,or s for large,medium, or small at the end it will change the size. Maybe not the exact size you want but it will give some options.
Ex. "xxxxxm.jpg" would change the size to medium.

And yes, very nice of your FIL to leave those for you. Looking forward to more pics. I saw you post a Hi-Power in another thread and wondered about that one.

December 30, 2024, 07:56 PM

Todd Huffman

quote:
Originally posted by dsiets:
quote:
Originally posted by Todd Huffman:

I went to a different hosting site that I could choose sizes. Postimage allows you to do that. Imgur doesn’t.

I believe that at Imgur you can put an l,m,or s for large,medium, or small at the end it will change the size.
Ex. "xxxxxm.jpg" would change the size to medium.

And yes, very nice of your FIL to leave those for you. Looking forward to more pics. I saw you post a Hi-Power in another thread and wondered about that one.

Yes that’s another one.

December 30, 2024, 08:07 PM

parabellum

Yeah, I've got a 6" Diamondback. Bought it brand new in 1984 or 85.

I was looking at guns in a sporting good store and I asked the counter man if he would happen to have a 6" Diamondback in stock. He want in the back and came out with it. Bought it on the spot.

I've shot mine quite a bit. This is a remarkably accurate .22.

Forgive the hideous photo for insurance purposes.

December 30, 2024, 08:32 PM

Todd Huffman

I don’t know about shooting this one. But then again, life is short. I’ll probably have to shoot them just to see what they’re like.

December 30, 2024, 08:46 PM

parabellum

Yours is earlier production than mine, as evidenced by the grips. IIRC, the Diamondback was introduced in 1966. Yours is 1970s production, at the latest.

If you intend never to sell it, shoot it, but otherwise, Diamondbacks are shockingly pricey these days. An unfired ANIB rimfire specimen would probably fetch three grand.

I once had a chance to trade for a 2.5" Diamondback in .22- A 4" Colt Woodsman and 75 dollars would have gotten me a genuine rarity. Well, it was a very long time ago and I didn't know any better. I do regret it, though.

January 02, 2025, 06:42 PM

wrightd

For a while some time back, the collectible gun market for original snakes was smoking hot. But these days I think those prices have declined precipitously, and I think may continue to decline as the previous generation of buyers who appreciated them are naturally decreasing, while the newer generation of buyers and collectors are more interested in modern guns, which don't include older guns made from walnut and steel. I've not met a young shooter or collector with an interest in these revolvers.

January 02, 2025, 06:53 PM

got2hav1

I like the Diamondback a lot. Years ago I was offered one but didn't have the money at the time. I found this one a few years ago. It is a 1967 model snubbie .38 special.

January 02, 2025, 07:30 PM

Lt CHEG

quote:
Originally posted by wrightd:
For a while some time back, the collectible gun market for original snakes was smoking hot. But these days I think those prices have declined precipitously, and I think may continue to decline as the previous generation of buyers who appreciated them are naturally decreasing, while the newer generation of buyers and collectors are more interested in modern guns, which don't include older guns made from walnut and steel. I've not met a young shooter or collector with an interest in these revolvers.

I think it’s more that new versions of the snake guns are available, and at much more reasonable costs so people are buying the new ones instead. I know in my case, I like the look of the snake guns and that’s why I like them, I’m not as worried about history, etc. I would much rather buy a new Python than an older one because it will cost less, is more easily serviced and I don’t have to feel bad about hurting the value of a collectible by shooting the crap out of it. It’s the look I’m after, and a little nostalgia and a new production gun scratches that itch just fine.

Back to the topic of the OP, those are beautiful guns. Such a great history that you have with them - a connection with a value that can’t be expressed in terms of money.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

January 02, 2025, 07:38 PM

wrightd

I know that. But that wasn't the point. The point is the longer you keep the originals their value seems to continue declining. I wonder if the same thing is happening to the NRA museum collection of original long guns. How about an unfired Model 71. I doubt younger collectors are interested in that.