A treasure hunt is the best way to describe the search for a unique handgun, rifle, or pistol at a pawnshiop. The Pawnworld stores in Kingman with one of the largest selection of new and used guns for sale in northwest Arizona, is no exception.
A Treasure Hunt
Pawnshops are treasure troves for history enthusiasts and collectors alike. It is not unusual to find relics, vintage firearms, and even guns with historical significance. For serious collectors historic guns linked to a specific location or incident hold a special place They offer a tangible connection to pivotal moments or historic figures.
The discovery of such firearms at pawnshops can be quite serendipitous. That was the case when law enforcement agencies spent 14 years tracking down 36 historic guns stolen from museums 50 years ago. They were eventually discovered in a Delaware home and nearby pawnshops.
The Allure
Why do people flock to pawnshops for firearms? The reasons are as varied as the guns themselves. Some seek a cost-effective way to purchase a gun for hunting, sport, or home protection. Others are on the hunt for something unique to add to their personal collection. There is an allure with pawnshops as they have an eclectic, constantly changing, and often unpredictable inventory. And so they become a destination for the collector looking for something out of the ordinary.
The stories that emerge from these discoveries can range from the fascinating to the downright amusing. They are also fodder for the spawning of amazing urban legends.
Urban Legends
Since at least the 1950s there have been variations of a story about a revolver that brings misfortune to its owners. It’s said that this curesed gun has been pawned multiple times. But each owner suffers an untimely fate. And depending on the version of the story being told, each owner has died in odd circumstances. The pistol discharges after falling from a desk (or shelf, or out of a cabinet, or off the hood of a truck. Other tellers of the tale claim the gun that was first owned by a viscous Wild West outlaw has killed its owners by blowing up, by dropping on their head or something equally as odd.
Legend of the shotgun wedding is another popular pawnshop urban legend. As the story goes, the owner of a shotgun that was brought in for pawning claimed to be the father of the bride and he had used the gun just once. And that was to ensure that the groom followed through on ppromises.
Stories of a one of a kind musket from the Revolutionary War era discovered in a pawnshop have been told for more than a century. The stories told have two common themes. One is that it was a prototype made by a famous gun maker. The second is that it was purchased by a Revolutionary War historian and never seen again.
Truth Is Stranger Than Fiction
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, was an avid collector of firearms. His collection included a Colt Model 1895 revolver that had served him in battle and that had sentimental value. It had been retrieved from the wreck of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor and given to Roosevelt by his brother-in-law.
The gun remained with Roosevelt until his death in 1919. It was then placed on display at Sagamore Hill, his home and later a historic site. But it was stolen from the museum display in 1990. It remained missing for 16 years, until it was found in a pawnshop!
The saga of Roosevelt’s stolen gun is a fascinating tale of history, loss, and rediscovery. The gun’s odyssey from the depths of the harbor to a display case, through the hands of thieves, and onto the shelves of a pawnshop, is a testament to the unpredictable journey of historical artifacts.
The Pawnshop As A Gun Store
In the end, whether it’s the allure of owning a piece of history, the thrill of the hunt for a good deal, or simply the joy of stumbling upon something unexpected, pawnshops are a treasure hunt. They are a destination for gun enthusiasts and storytellers alike.
But fascinating guns are just one of the treasures awaiting discovery at Pawnworld. We also sell jewelry and coins. You can imagine the stories of discovery and the urban legends associated with these items!
Written by Jim Hinckley of Jim Hinckley’s America
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