SS Target Pistol?

TRAP55

Friend of mine brought a single shot pistol by asking me what it's worth so he could sell it. I've never seen or heard of the manufacturer, or one of these pistols. Nothing in the Blue Book about them either. Can anyone give me some history or info on it?
Identical to this one, but without the checkering, and numbered No.26.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=139487635

rufe-snow

Nice looking pistol, hard to believe that it actually went for $2,600 though. Couldn't imagine that their would be that kind of demand for a obscure .22 target pistol, that would bring that kind of money.

mark christian

Not much info on these other than they were produced right after WWII. The Balderson Firearms Guide makes reference to this model and shows prices of around $250 rather than the $2500 asking price for the one shown in your link.

Me thinks that either Balderson or the seller have erred in estimating the pistol's worth.

TRAP55

I found another that sold on another auction site for about the same price. I also found this reference, it sold for $88.26 new!
http://books.google.com/books?id=RSgDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA121&lpg=PA121&dq=TOMPKINS+PRECISION+PISTOL&source=bl&ots=geUuIzUoiX&sig=WWjXJajXdd6qmHyrni5E6OyP9KI&hl=en&ei=5UjRSp_XAoXKsQPu2pDwCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CBAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=TOMPKINS PRECISION PISTOL&f=false

rufe-snow

Value is created by demand, i.e. two or more collectors competing for the same item. When just one bid is made for that amount of money, it tends to create bewilderment, to say the least. It creates doubt as to the veracity of the auction.

mark christian

quote:Originally posted by TRAP55
I found another that sold on another auction site for about the same price. I also found this reference, it sold for $88.26 new!
http://books.google.com/books?id=RSgDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA121&lpg=PA121&dq=TOMPKINS+PRECISION+PISTOL&source=bl&ots=geUuIzUoiX&sig=WWjXJajXdd6qmHyrni5E6OyP9KI&hl=en&ei=5UjRSp_XAoXKsQPu2pDwCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CBAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=TOMPKINS PRECISION PISTOL&f=false


To hell with the pistol. Just check out that new Caddy. I wonder of there are still any sitting on GM dealer's lots?

Bert H.

Dave,

Your "friend" is nuts in my opinion! He just paid $2600 (not including the shipping, insurance, and possible FFL fees), and then he asks what it is worth[:0][?]

I doubt very much that it is worth anywhere near what he just paid for it... even if he finds someone who collects them.

Hawk Carse

I have read about the Tompkins, the one in the ad is the first I have seen even pictured outside old books. As said in the 1948 PS article, its main selling point was a trigger pull comparable to a bolt action target rifle. $88.26 in 1948 was more than any Colt or S&W revolver except the .357; for a .22 single shot. No wonder they didn't sell.

I think the problem will be that it is TOO scarce and unknown to draw a big resale value. But that one did sell for $2600 to somebody who knew what it was and took no chance of it getting away. Unless it was some sort of shill operation.

TRAP55

Bert, his nephew got it in some kind of trade and "gave' it to him! Worse yet he was going to sell it to me for $100 (what I thought it was worth) until I pulled up the two completed auctions. (still kicking self)[B)]

Hawk, I've shot all kinds of target pistols and rifles, but I've never felt a trigger as smooth and crisp as this one. Someone could make a lot of money duplicating the trigger design for other applications.

MP

Trap55 A few months ago a friend bought one of these after years of looking. He has done the research and is well aware of their value. Email me and I can give you some contact information for him, I'm sure he would be happy to help out.