"It's entirely possible the music shop owner didn't fully realize the full value of the violin as well"
Since only one dollar amount is quoted in the OP it is also entirely possible that the shop owner was tryin to low ball and steal a gun.
If the store owner makes an offer and the gun owner accepts the offer there is no "stealing" involved.
We could haggle over terminology until the cows come home and get nowhere. What I mean is, and I know you have seen it, a shop owner offering an obviously uninformed customer a low ball price and touting how good an offer they are making. Call it taking advantage call it what you will and be happy. I'll just call it what I think it is.
Yes I know that you didn't mean that the shop owner was actually stealing the gun but as long as they are both happy with the sale who's business is it besides their's?
THe other weekend I had a booth at a gunshow and sold a M94 that was made during WWII. I agreed on a price with a guy and I sold it. He later came back and showed me a USN stamping in the stock. Was this a rifle used by the Navy? Was it worth more than I sold it to him for because of that? I don't know but I would have liked to research it but I didn't feel bad or cheated because we both agreed on the price.
