Vis Price Insanity

1110 Views 25 Replies 9 Participants Last post by alvin, 7 d ago

Northyuma

Discussion Starter · 21 d ago

Over the years, the Radom Vis, and Polish eagle variants have accelerated in price from what was once attainable to what is now elite collector status.

In some ways, I’ve wondered at times why it took so long as they are incredibly well-made, and have a tremendous amount of World War II history.

Recently, a preoccupation holster, in very good to excellent condition, paired with a 1st C block in good condition, went for double what you can find these for from time to time in the market. Please see link below. With premium this pairing sold for over $9000. These Vis (PE) holsters can be picked up between $2500-$3750 depending upon condition and do come up from time to time. The C Block in decent condition is probably an $1800 piece. I’ll let you do the math compared to the auction price.

RADOM VIS MOD.35 'P.35(p)' SEMI-AUTO PISTOL PLUS | Guns & Military Artifacts Handguns & Pistols Semi-Automatic Pistols | Online Auctions | Proxibid

PRE WAR HOLSTER AND 5 MAGS. Cal. 9mm Luger. S# C8624. Bbl. 4 3/4" unfinished w/ matching S#, eagle party symbol & 2 eagle 823 proofs. Mfg. during German occupation as Type 1 w/ 3 levers plus stock slot. Eagle party symbol on matching S# slide. WaA 77 on frame & slide also having eagle party...

www.proxibid.com

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alvin

· #2 · 21 d ago

I saw this one in the preview session. It sat on the table with some Lugers. I bet the winner did not know that he could bid directly via an auction house representative.

Northyuma

Discussion Starter · #3 · 21 d ago

alvin said:
I saw this one in the preview session. It sat on the table with some Lugers. I bet the winner did not know that he could bid directly via an auction house representative.

Probably not. You can save a few% doing that as we know. I put 3 absentee bids in on this auction. So far, the items have sold for far in excess of my first two bids which were high retail. It’s one of those auctions, you’re glad you lost … 😁

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mhassoun

· #4 · 21 d ago

This is listed for $10K with no holster.

simpsonltd.com

Radom VIS35 - C55938

Firearms for the Finest Collectors

simpsonltd.com

Northyuma

Discussion Starter · #5 · 21 d ago

mhassoun said:
This is listed for $10K with no holster.

Radom VIS35 - C55938

Firearms for the Finest Collectors

simpsonltd.com

And with repro grips. 39 PE not at beginning of sn or end is a 5 k gun at best. Least rare of the bunch.

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alvin

· #6 · 20 d ago

Simpson LTD is crazy these days. They just listed a Mauser commercial Red 9, asking $9,500. The grip panels are mismatched. Grip panel mismatch is still a mismatch though, that is a must-be-considered factor, especially at this price. $4,000 to $5,000 retail value, but the asking price is 100% higher.

logictox

· #7 · 20 d ago

2

I had a couple of opportunities over the years to buy some pre war Polish Eagles but always opted for those produced under occupation. I did however try to stick to the early production and have most of the early alphas. I never would have guessed at the time what would happen to prices. I also got a mix match B serial number that is two halves complete top being B0754 and bottom being B1008 but it turned out to be a blessing as I wasn't afraid to shoot it and now I get to enjoy how amazing these guns really are.

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Northyuma

Discussion Starter · #8 · 20 d ago

logictox said:
I had a couple of opportunities over the years to buy some pre war Polish Eagles but always opted for those produced under occupation. I did however try to stick to the early production and have most of the early alphas. I never would have guessed at the time what would happen to prices. I also got a mix match B serial number that is two halves complete top being B0754 and bottom being B1008 but it turned out to be a blessing as I wasn't afraid to shoot it and now I get to enjoy how amazing these guns really are.

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Agreed, they are a pleasure to fire. If you ever have the opportunity, you should do so. Accurate with little recoil. I actually use one as a carry in the winter.

Hessian

· #9 · 20 d ago

P.35(p) were passed up consistently as P.08's were the target at gun shows in the early 80's and early 90's, even early examples. You could buy complete P.35(p) rigs for $300.00 to $350.00 not anymore and very late war examples now surpass P.08 prices, with bnz/similar on par with Kreighoff P.08's prices. I bought them then and the years to follow as they were within my budget, fortunately there isn't much for me to hunt for withstanding the illusive late "J" and a couple of others. I find the most interesting examples are early German and extremely late German production.

alvin

· #10 · 20 d ago

It is hard to acquire guns cheaply nowadays, especially these full size WWII handguns. In auctions, no matter what gun it is, there are always competitors.

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Hessian

· #11 · 20 d ago

alvin said:
It is hard to acquire guns cheaply nowadays, especially these full size WWII handguns. In auctions, no matter what gun it is, there are always competitors.

Have you noticed prices at major shows creeping on the heels of prices found online.

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alvin

· #12 · 20 d ago

Hessian said:
Have you noticed prices at major shows creeping on the heels of prices found online.

There are many small auctioneers listed on auctionzip.com. Occasionally, item sold price could be low. They usually list vintage jewelries, lamps, dolls, coins, firearms, and furnitures in a single session. The description cannot be simpler, such as "a curio pistol", and a couple of dark pictures. Needless to say, most were not attractive. But, there is a gem occasionally.

Northyuma

Discussion Starter · #13 · 20 d ago

Hessian said:
Have you noticed prices at major shows creeping on the heels of prices found online.

Better prices remain at shows in general but you can also negotiate which isn’t possible so much on the retail sites or at auction. The best thing I’ve found is to befriend fellow collectors and those that are at the point of thinning their collection. They want their prize pieces going to someone who appreciates them, is knowledgeable about the item and isn’t in the sales market. Those guys generally will give you a fair price and they usually don’t like the auction houses. IMHO mind you…

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Hessian

· #14 · 20 d ago

Northyuma said:
Better prices remain at shows in general but you can also negotiate which isn’t possible so much on the retail sites or at auction. The best thing I’ve found is to befriend fellow collectors and those that are at the point of thinning their collection. They want their prize pieces going to someone who appreciates them, is knowledgeable about the item and isn’t in the sales market. Those guys generally will give you a fair price and they usually don’t like the auction houses. IMHO mind you…

Well said..

alvin

· #15 · 20 d ago (Edited)

One reason that auction houses should not be ignored: there are many C&R dealers bidding in auction sessions. Their only consideration is the final price. I have seen items sold from auctions relisted on C&R dealer sites many times.

==
If dealers bid on an item and won,, the price is supposed being good. Why can't I ... I thought about this ... There is one difference, I habitually bid on the "local best condition" or "local hotest" item on a table, and they usually do not do that and gave up early,, there are more competition on the "local best or local rarest" coming from other collectors.

mhassoun

· #16 · 20 d ago

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/985251622

krukster86

· #17 · 19 d ago (Edited)

Northyuma said:
Over the years, the Radom Vis, and Polish eagle variants have accelerated in price from what was once attainable to what is now elite collector status.

Don’t I know it! A pre-war eagle VIS is my “grail” gun alongside a PFK Warszawa Wz98 long rifle.

Recent auction results for both are pushing them more and more into unobtainium territory, especially considering I have never spent more than $1,500 on a firearm.

That being said, I have been called “lucky” by newer collectors for obtaining my Type II’s and Type III occupation examples for $600-900.

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Delafrontera

· #18 · 19 d ago

I looked at the GB auction for the Radom posted above, as well as most of all the other Radoms for sale on the GB website. None (that I remembered anyway) of the auctions stated that the internal numbers are all matching and/or there are no photos of the internal parts showing matching numbers. For those advanced collectors, do you buy this gun with the assumption that the internal numbers will match, and if not, send it back based on a three-day inspection? Or do you care if they match (i.e. seems like that would be a must). What happens if you try to pull the main spring housing, safety and hammer off the pistol for inspection and to verify matching numbers and are not able to do so because the main spring housing can’t come out without difficulty (i.e. you cannot verify all matching numbers). Do you bid as if the pistol serial numbers are mis-matched in the first place? For the luger, matching numbers are a must, but I am not observing that with the Radom (I also see this with the Astras as well on GB). Both guns seem to have the "easily accessible" serial numbers addressed or shown in photos but slim on internal photos of serial numbers. Your thoughts and views are GREATLY appreciated.

Thank you for your time and input.

Kind Regards, Randy

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alvin

· #19 · 19 d ago

The ad says it's "Polish 1911". I guess the only s/n on it would be the number on the frame, and no other parts are numbered, just like a WWII RR 1911.

Just a guess though, I have zero experience on VIS.

Northyuma

Discussion Starter · #20 · 19 d ago

Delafrontera said:
I looked at the GB auction for the Radom posted above, as well as most of all the other Radoms for sale on the GB website. None (that I remembered anyway) of the auctions stated that the internal numbers are all matching and/or there are no photos of the internal parts showing matching numbers. For those advanced collectors, do you buy this gun with the assumption that the internal numbers will match, and if not, send it back based on a three-day inspection? Or do you care if they match (i.e. seems like that would be a must). What happens if you try to pull the main spring housing, safety and hammer off the pistol for inspection and to verify matching numbers and are not able to do so because the main spring housing can’t come out without difficulty (i.e. you cannot verify all matching numbers). Do you bid as if the pistol serial numbers are mis-matched in the first place? For the luger, matching numbers are a must, but I am not observing that with the Radom (I also see this with the Astras as well on GB). Both guns seem to have the "easily accessible" serial numbers addressed or shown in photos but slim on internal photos of serial numbers. Your thoughts and views are GREATLY appreciated.

Thank you for your time and input.

Kind Regards, Randy

If the numbers don’t match, a serious collector won’t touch it unless it’s a rare variant like a combination of German captured Polish eagle slide or some rare variant such as that. Mostly any occupation non-matching pistol is at best, a shooter.

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