Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Dumbest Trades To Confess?

At 55 years of age I've made some really stupid trades in my life but probably the dumbest was to trade a vintage Model 1903 Remington even for a new Weaver V9 scope (I thought I cheated the guy!). Another great one...I traded a Winchester Model 61 .22 WRF with octogan barrel in mint condition for a Colt Woodsman 3rd Series Match Target...and then there was that beautiful Model 12 with the fancy walnut stock...and the mint Winchester Model 70 .308 Featherweight I bought for $143.00. Anyone else have any stories? Thanks...

Model70man,

You are cruel! I had forgotton about the 1908 vintage special order M-1894 with 1/2 Oct 26" bbl, button magazine and cresent butt in .30 WCF. that I paid a grand sum of $150 for that I traded even up for a M-94 post war eastern carbine in .32 Spec. Dumb! Dumb! Dumb! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
the9.3Guy

A Colt National Match (pre-Gold Cup) pistol was traded for a Mossberg 800 22-250 and a Weaver K-6 scope.
At the time, the pistol had no special value according to the "Blue Book", and it was many years later I learned that model was only made for a few years. The rifle shot well, despite its brand's lack of reputation.

Traded an early 70 series, Colt 1911 in 38 super for a few hunderd dollars. Value wise it was ok but I can not find another one that comes close to that particular pistol.

9.3 Guy

I hope this doesn't sound mean, but if I had traded a special order Model 1894 I think I would still be crying. And then there was that perfect pre war Colt Woodsman with the rust blue I bought for $50.00 and then there was that...

Oh Yes <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Just after my accident in 1989 when I found out I would likely never be able to use long guns again I went a bit <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> so I started getting rid of my old life. I gave away a 1963 build Win 70 in .308Win was a special order by the CPO mess aboard the USS Glennon DD840 as first prize in their raffle. My chief made me buy a ticket in exchange for my liberty card in Naples. My ticket won. Also gave away a Savage, don�t recall the model, sideXside .410 was the sweetest little quail killer in NC at the time. The old birds would refuse to flush when I was in the field with it. The young birds that did would die by my just shouting BANG and pointing that little honey of a shotgun their way. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Also gave away a Savage .222Win. My youngest son still smarts at mention of that one. After I got over all that <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> and decided that I wasn't going to crawl away and die I purchased my first hunting handgun a S/W 657 which I traded about 3 years later for my first Contender. So YES SIR I sure have done some dumb ones. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Sold a 98% Colt Match Target Woodsman for $ 100.00
It did "slam fire" on me, and the bullet hit me in the head....Scared the holy BeJesus outa me. But...that pistol is worth about $ 1000.00 nowdays.
Virgil B.

Dumbest trade my dad made?

Sold 1932 Ford 5 window coupe - all steel original body 2600.00 (had her all done up like the california kid)

Sold a couple of 1945 Harley Davidson 45's 1200.00 for both.

To be fair this was the late 70's and he "needed" the $ to move to Colorado for a job.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Man, why do you guys bring things up I'd like to forget???? I traded a mint model 700 Remington 30-06, a Marlin model 62 in .256 Win mag, and a Ruger single six convertable 22 rf and 22wmr for a 50 cal T/C Hawken muzzleloader PLUS 50 bucks in cash. This was back in 1974 when I was young and stupid. Now I'm just stupid <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

longbeardking,

I can see why you'd want to forget that one! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> If there is a prize, you'd have my nomination... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

the9.3Guy

My failing memory has mercifully blurred the gory details, but I no longer have the takedown 99 .250-3000, the mint .22 Colt baby Peacemaker, or the mini 14 stainless factory folder, and I'm damned if I can recall what I gave them up for. Wasn't worth it, but like so many dumb ideas, it seemed like the thing to do at the time.

Crawfish
I don�t know the extent of your injury. But a buddy of mine got hurt in a motorcycle accident about ten years ago. Lost the use of all but his right arm. I talked him into shooting again and he uses long guns all the time just shooting with one arm. And he does he�s own reloading too he�s got a super attitude about life. He�s an amazing guy. Good Luck.

I traded a WW2 vintage Rangefinder for a float plane trip and $75!
You know, the ones that are selling for $1500 right now Stateside? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
The guy is a WW2 militery colector, but is using it right now in Manitoba!
Never did collect on the plane ride....!
Catnthehat

I sold a Model 94 chambered for 32 Special for $150.00. Dumbest deal I ever made. On the other side, I bought two Marlins chambered for 35 Remington for $200.00. The pawn shop owner knew he made a bad deal on that one, and I never sniffed another sweet deal in his shop after that.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Go ahead,,,,,, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Rub it in !!!!!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

i traded a m70 featherweight for a shade tree gunsmith built m700 plus 100.00 that wouldn't shoot minute of barn. i took it to another smith who charged me 200.00 more dollars and it still wouldn't hold minute of barn. sold it to a friend for 150.00 he took it to his smith and had it shooting about 3/4 inch groups in a few weeks. still missing that m70....... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> blake

I cut up a mint all matching Arisaka type 38 I paid $70.00 for into a nice sporter....found out later it was a rare 25" barreled short rifle. Easy $600.00 now. Still have the rifle and it shoots great.

Been trying to forget this one for years...........traded a Weatherby Vanguard VGS .243 that shot tiny groups for a bunch of goose decoys and a little cash. Must have had my stupid sign hanging around my neck that day. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Jeff

Just remembered another one. I bought one of the US GI Korean re-import M-1 Carbines, and sold it to my boss for $40 less than I paid. Was really broke. My boss never did pay me the last $50 of what he owed me. Now these same m-1's start at about $475.00.

Also gave away a #4mk2 Irish Contract .303 British. One of the ones that came in 10 years ago still sealed in the wax paper. Brand new condition. Just saw one sell on the net for $505.00! Only redeeming thing is I gave it to my brother.

I swapped a good 1917 Enfield for a repair job on my Car,because I was short of cash.
But the really dumb trade was my 1903 Mark 1 Springfield,which cost 15 dollars for a new Stevens 16 gauge shotgun,cost 50 dollars.
For a few years,I actually thought that I got the better deal.
Frank