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A Different Sort of Holiday
May 20, 2023 -
Know Before You Go
Apr 10, 2023 -
A Bang
Mar 20, 2023
A Different Sort of Holiday
When most people’s thoughts turn toward a vacation holiday they think of resorts on sandy breaches, a Route 66 road trip, or perhaps Disneyland. But there are people that march to the tune of a different drummer, to borrow a though from 19th century philosopher Henry David Thoreau. They prefer to avoid the crush of crowds, and instead plan a different sort of holiday. And what could be more different than a vacation planned around visits to pawn shops?
Yes, you heard me right. Pawnshops are not just places where you can sell or buy used items. They are also treasure troves of history, culture and fascinating stories. In fact, some pawnshops are so interesting that they have become tourist attractions in their own right. Here are some of the world’s most fascinating pawnshops that you should visit if you ever get the chance.
1. Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, Las Vegas, Nevada
You might recognize this pawnshop from the popular TV show Pawn Stars. The owners and staff deal with all kinds of rare and valuable items, from ancient coins to celebrity memorabilia. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and has become a destination for thousands of visitors every year. You never know what you might find here, or who you might meet. Maybe you’ll even get to see one of the stars of the show in action.
2. Monte de Piedad, Madrid, Spain
This pawnshop is not only the oldest in Spain. It is also the largest in Europe. It was founded in 1702 by a priest who wanted to help the poor and prevent them from falling into the hands of loan sharks. Today, it is still a charitable institution that offers low-interest loans to people in need. But is also a museum that displays some of the most precious and interesting items that have been pawned over the centuries. As an example, recent displays included paintings by Goya and Velázquez, jewels from the Spanish royal family, and even a well worn guitar that belonged to Paco de Lucía.
3. Happy Hockers, Sydney, Australia
This pawnshop is famous for its quirky and eclectic collection of items, ranging from musical instruments to sports memorabilia to vintage toys. The owners are brothers who have a passion for collecting and trading unusual things. They also have a reality TV show called Pawn Stars Australia, where they showcase some of their most amazing deals and encounters with customers. If you’re looking for something fun and different to do in Sydney, this pawnshop is definitely worth a visit.
4. Mutsuura Hikawa Shrine Pawnshop Market, Yokohama, Japan
This pawnshop market is held every month at the Mutsuura Hikawa Shrine, which is dedicated to the god of commerce and wealth. Hundreds of vendors set up stalls around the shrine grounds. They sell all kinds of second-hand goods, from antiques to electronics and clothing. You can find some great bargains here, as well as some rare and unique items. It’s also a great place to experience the local culture and the atmosphere of Yokohama.
5. Dorotheum, Vienna, Austria
This pawnshop is actually an auction house that dates back to 1707. It is one of the oldest and largest auction houses in the world. Inventory often includes fine art, antiques, rare jewelry and even automobiles. You can browse through the catalogues online or visit the showroom in person to see some of the items on display. You can also bid online or in person during the auctions. Whether you’re looking for something specific or just curious about what’s on offer, this pawnshop is a must-see for anyone who loves art and history.
The Pawn World store in Kingman, Arizona may not be a vacation destination, yet. But we have the largest selection of new and used guns for sale iin northwestern Arizona. And we are also a coin shop, and electronics store, and a tool shop. What are you looking for?
Written by Jim Hinckley of Jim Hinckley’s America.
Know Before You Go
Are you looking for a way to save some money on your next firearm purchase? If so, have you considered shopping at either Pawn World store in Kingman, Arizona?
Pawn shops are not just shady places where you can trade old stuff for cash, or use it for collateralon on a quick loan. As you might know from previous blog posts, pawn shops can also be literal treasure troves of guns – rare guns, rare old guns, new guns, and guns for target practice, hunting, or home defense.
But how do you buy guns from pawn shops? What do you look for?
First of all, let’s answer the question why buy guns from pawn shops? Well, there are numerous advantages. One of the most obvious is savings. Pawn World has great deals on used guns and accessories. Our prices are lower than retail stores or online dealers. And we might be able to negotiate the price if you have trade-in items.
Another advantage is that you can find some unique or hard-to-find guns that are not available elsewhere. Pawn shops often have a variety of guns from different eras, countries, and manufacturers. It is not likely that you will stumble upon a vintage Colt revolver, a German Mauser rifle, or a Japanese Nambu pistol but you might be surprised.
However, buying guns from pawn shops also has some drawbacks and risks. One is that you have to be careful about the quality and legality of the guns you buy. Pawn shops are not always experts on firearms and they may not inspect them thoroughly before selling them. You often have to do your own research and inspection to make sure the gun is safe, functional, and legal to own in your state.
But these problems can be alleviated if you are dealing with a reputable, well established pawnshop, such as Pawn World, that has a knowledgable staff. Shopping at a store such as this will take the stress from the hassle of form 4473 and the background check through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Ppawn shops are licensed federal firearms dealers and they have to follow the same laws and regulations as any other gun seller.
So, how do you buy guns from pawn shops? Here are some steps to follow:
1) Do your homework. Know before you go so you can ask informed questions that will make it easier for our staff to select the kind of gun you want or need. There are a number of reputable online resources available for your research. You can also read reviews and watch videos on YouTube to learn more about the features and performance of different guns.
2) Not all pawn shops are created equal. Some are more trustworthy and knowledgeable than others. You want to find a pawn shop that has a good reputation, a large selection of guns, and friendly staff who are willing to help you. We are quite confident that this type of research will lead you to Pawn World, one of the largest and most reputable gun stores in northwest Arizona.
3) Once you find the right gun, inspect the gun carefully with a member of our staff. Ask questions. As a second set of eyes will on a rare occasion find an issue, before purchase check for any signs of damage, wear, rust, corrosion, cracks, or modifications that could affect the safety or functionality of the gun. You also want to check the bore for any pitting or fouling that could affect the accuracy or reliability of the gun.
4) Then simply complete the transaction by filling out a form 4473, and providing your identification and contact information. A background check can take anywhere from a few minutes to several days depending on your state and the volume of requests.
Do you have questions? If so give Pawn World a call. Know before you go.
A Bang
In the modern era firearms are a point of contention and a political football. They are used for sport, and for hunting. They are also used by responsible owners for self protection. But for historians guns are a tangible link to a moment in time. And for savvy collectors, they can make a hobby profitable.
Chance are that you will not find a Nock gun at the local pawnshop or estate sale. And if you are looking for one to add to the collection, be prepared to take out a second, or third, mortgage.
These unique flintlock rifles were designed by British engineer James Wilson in 1779. The namesake for these weapons is Henry Nock, a gun maker in London, England. This volley gun developed for ship to ship fighting fires all seven barrels at once. Today these weapons are a rarity. But to be honest, they weren’t very common when new. There were only 526 of these guns produced. Prodcution of the slightly improved second series amounted to just over 750 guns.
The Nock gun was introduced near the end of the flintlock period. At the time of its introduction in about 1630, these guns were revolutionary. The flintlock system dominated firearm development and manufacturing for nearly two centuries.
The Colt Walker is another scarcity, then and now. There is an interesting back story to these weapons. Ranger Captain Samuel Walker, killed in the Mexican American War, had an idea for a gun, but lacked the expertise to make it a reality. So, he approached Samuel Colt to design and produce a gun according his specifications. This would be the first mass produced American single action revolver.
Even though the pistol would serves as the basis for a steady stream of Colt revolver developments, the Colt Walker was plagues with issues. It was heavy, it was unwieldy, and the cylinder was prone to rupture. And so only 1,100 were produced. One thousand were made for the United States Army, and the remainder were sold to civilians. Fewer than 11o are known to survive today.
Samuel Colt is credited with the development of the first multi-shot revolving firearms that were mass produced. Gunmakers for more than a century had experimented with various configurations of revolvers but the manufacture of precision and interchangeable components had ensured rarity as they were often produced as a one of one custom order.
It is unknown how many LeMat dual action revolvers were produced in the late 19th century. But it is safe to assume that production was quite limited. Surely there wasn’t a big market for a large and complicated nine shot revolver that featured a single shot 20 gauge shotgun under the barrel.
You won’t find one these rarities or historic oddities at either Pawn World store in Kingman, Arizona. But as we are the largest gun store in northwestern Arizona, and as we have a professional and well trained staff, you are assured of finding the right firearm for your needs and skillset.
Written by Jim Hinckley of Jim Hinckley’s America