The first customer came in with a U.S. Army telegraph machine used during WWII. The antique device allowed soldiers to transmit Morse code messages in the field. Rick put the machine together, but his big head made the fit tight. Rick noticed a wireless component that meant the device was what spies used during the time period. The guy wanted $200, but Rick only offered $75. They settled on a deal of $110 and both parties were happy.
A guy came in to sell a really cool gun. It was a Smith and Wesson model one. It was the first modern handgun and it was manufactured in 1858. It was the first gun to have a self contained bullet. Rick brought up the fact that the model of gun was used to assassinate Wild bill Hickok during a poker game. The guy wanted $1,000, but Rick was very concerned about different wear patterns on the guns. Rick called in his buddy Craig to appraise the gun. Craig made some measurements to confirm originality. The grips were the most important factor in the value of the gun. The gun’s value was placed at $1,000-1,500. The gun was refinished which was a really bad thing. They made a quick deal at $650.
Trivia of the show: Who said, “I regard Henry Ford as my inspiration”? (Answer Below)
Corey and Rick went to check out a 1968 Mustang fastback GT. It was the same car Steve McQueen made famous in the movie “Bullitt”. Rick is a huge Steve McQueen fan and has bought several items linked to the movie star in the past. It was the quintessential muscle car ever made and it was involved in the best car chase ever filmed. The car was in absolute horrible shape, but Rick was still very interested. The guy asked $20,000 and was completely serious. Corey called the car expert Danny to talk his dad out of buying the beat up car. Danny gave the car a once over after giving a brief history of the car. Danny was not as concerned about the appearance and he thought the car was worth $12,000-15,000 as-is. Rick offered 10 grand, but the guy wanted $15,000. They made a deal at $12,500 and Rick was thrilled, while Corey remained pessimistic. The Old Man questioned the car purchase by Rick and thought the car was a pile of junk.
A woman came in with an old Phillips cigar Ad. The woman claimed it was the first ever ad used in pharmacies. The ad was in rough shape, but Corey was still interested. The lady wanted $5,000, but that was way above Corey’s budget. The lady stayed firm on 5K and there was no deal made.
A young woman came in with a signed picture of Clint Eastwood and the “Rawhide” cast. “Rawhide” was a TV show that had Clint as a supporting character for the first few seasons. Rick assumed that the signatures were real and his expert was out of town. The lady wanted $500, but the personalization degraded the value and Rick only offered $100. The woman refused to go that low and there was no deal made.
Trivia Answer: Adolph Hitler
Danny is an idiot. The Mustang GT in Bullitt was 390, NOT the 5.0 302. That would come later in the 1969 Boss 302. The 390 was a stone of an engine – the Bullitt engine was speciallty built – and if you recall the tire spinning in the intersection, without positraction!! But for Danny to look in the engine compartment and say – yup, right engine, 5.0 liter 302!!!??? Rick got taken BIG TIME. Karma for all the poor people he preys on daily in his business
I agree he deserves to get bit once in a while. His experts are always screwing their prices for Rick’s benefit, otherwise they won’t be called back and get their TV appearance fee. It also might be why some of the early experts are not on the show anymore, like the antique guy that got his own show or History guy that would never give dollar values.