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U.S. MK1 grenade value
- Thread starter dano1917
- Start date
DEADLINE222
Well-Known Member
The value placed on inanimate objects is so subjective, you can stir it with a stick.
Between the uneducated and Ebay, the collector's market is becoming rather sickening to me.
As long as we perpetually enforce the idea that MK1 grenades are worth $500.00+ they will continue to be so, and continue to climb as long as society tolerates it.
Until a few weeks ago I never dreamed I would own an empty/inert M-61 fragmentation grenade, because of their perceived value.
I went into an antique mall and found an item I wanted to purchase. As the display case was unlocked, I happened to look around and out of the corner of my eye, I saw my M-61.....
Complete, for $38.50.
I promise you. Eventually I will have a reasonably priced MK1 for my collection, and you will too.
Between the uneducated and Ebay, the collector's market is becoming rather sickening to me.
As long as we perpetually enforce the idea that MK1 grenades are worth $500.00+ they will continue to be so, and continue to climb as long as society tolerates it.
Until a few weeks ago I never dreamed I would own an empty/inert M-61 fragmentation grenade, because of their perceived value.
I went into an antique mall and found an item I wanted to purchase. As the display case was unlocked, I happened to look around and out of the corner of my eye, I saw my M-61.....
Complete, for $38.50.
I promise you. Eventually I will have a reasonably priced MK1 for my collection, and you will too.
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True, patience is a virtue, however; I waited for anumber of items (grenades as well as other militaria that was priced higherthan I thought was reasonable) and after several years I reluctantly paid theprice, whatever it was , to finally have that item as mine.
There was a MKII that just sold on Gun Broker for $406. These are for more common that the MKI's.
I know of several Beanos that are currently listed orhave recently sold, that were priced in the $1200 - $1400 range.In 2011 they were selling for $500+.
I personally dont think that $550 is that far out of linefor a MKI with swivel fuse. A slightly better one sold off of RJWs web siterecently for $650 and the person was apparently glad to get it at that price.
There is also a saying that goes; He who hesitates, islost!
RD
There was a MKII that just sold on Gun Broker for $406. These are for more common that the MKI's.
I know of several Beanos that are currently listed orhave recently sold, that were priced in the $1200 - $1400 range.In 2011 they were selling for $500+.
I personally dont think that $550 is that far out of linefor a MKI with swivel fuse. A slightly better one sold off of RJWs web siterecently for $650 and the person was apparently glad to get it at that price.
There is also a saying that goes; He who hesitates, islost!
RD
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A lot of it is how much time you spend looking, not waiting. I paid less than half of that mentioned for a MKI in considerably better shape, and have seen two more since then. MKIIs (OD) I see a couple a month. Some are over priced ($200+) many are more reasonable. I have picked up several nice ones for less than $100 in the last year. Less time on the net, more time beating the bushes.
If these grenades are so rare, why are there so many for sale?
Rare (as I see it): 10 or less examples known to exist. But you have 3 or more of these "rare" items for sale at any given time and with prices doubling and tripling in 2 years time.
I was able to spend half a day at the SLICS show last week here in the US. I noticed a few of the items I purchased last year had gone up in price by 200% with plenty of these items still available. These items are NOT "rare". I'm glad I purchased them last year because there is no way I could afford them know.
Sellers can ask any price they want and there are plenty people with lots of money (not me) and when they see "rare" they buy it!
Sellers see things sell on TV "reality" shows and Ebay for such and such a price and so that's how many items are "revalued".
When you have a limited budget, like myself, "he who hesitates has money to spend on something more reasonable priced for the collection".
I, long ago, reconciled myself to the fact that having lots of "rare" and desirable items for my collection was not financially possible. So I purchase or trade for what I can get and I'm happy with that.
But if you are not constrained by money and if it is indeed really "rare", buy it.
Rare (as I see it): 10 or less examples known to exist. But you have 3 or more of these "rare" items for sale at any given time and with prices doubling and tripling in 2 years time.
I was able to spend half a day at the SLICS show last week here in the US. I noticed a few of the items I purchased last year had gone up in price by 200% with plenty of these items still available. These items are NOT "rare". I'm glad I purchased them last year because there is no way I could afford them know.
Sellers can ask any price they want and there are plenty people with lots of money (not me) and when they see "rare" they buy it!
Sellers see things sell on TV "reality" shows and Ebay for such and such a price and so that's how many items are "revalued".
When you have a limited budget, like myself, "he who hesitates has money to spend on something more reasonable priced for the collection".
I, long ago, reconciled myself to the fact that having lots of "rare" and desirable items for my collection was not financially possible. So I purchase or trade for what I can get and I'm happy with that.
But if you are not constrained by money and if it is indeed really "rare", buy it.
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All that has been said is true. We all have limits as to our resources and what we can afford and are willing to pay for these things. The fact that I live in what apparently is a militaria depressed location of the US of A limits what I can "beat from the bushes". Most of what I have in my collection came from other collectors. I believe, if memory serves, I paid in the neighborhood of $450 for my MK-I a couple years ago from another collector. Where I live there is limited access to any serious militaria items. Shows with anything but the para-military junk are few a far between.
The WANENMACHER'S TULSA ARMS SHOW would be the closest I think and that's a long way to drive and the expense of over night, for an unknown.
Not sure what qualifies an item as rare but 10 or less seems a bit low to me. M1915 bolo bayonets were produced in quantities around 6000 and yet they are quite rare and costly. Not sure how may Shinkle grenades were ever produced but I would wager more than 10 and quite frankly I can't even guess at what a Shinkle would sell for.
So from where I stand, both financially and geographically, the MK-I for $550 would be reasonable acquisition if I didn't already have one.
The WANENMACHER'S TULSA ARMS SHOW would be the closest I think and that's a long way to drive and the expense of over night, for an unknown.
Not sure what qualifies an item as rare but 10 or less seems a bit low to me. M1915 bolo bayonets were produced in quantities around 6000 and yet they are quite rare and costly. Not sure how may Shinkle grenades were ever produced but I would wager more than 10 and quite frankly I can't even guess at what a Shinkle would sell for.
So from where I stand, both financially and geographically, the MK-I for $550 would be reasonable acquisition if I didn't already have one.
I think that the reference to rare is in regard to the number available to collectors, not how many were produced. You would suspect that the two were related, but that does not always seem to be true. I think that all too often people confuse "rare" with "in demand". Neither the MKIs or MKIIs are rare, but both are frequently/currently "in demand". Demand can be a fickle thing though, and shouldn't be confused with value.
I would like to add my support to this. 'Rare' should be reserved to describe artifacts of which only a few are known to exist. Even in England I wouldn't regard a Mk I or a Beano as rare; 'in demand' yes.
highlandotter
HONOURED MEMBER RIP
This is the price they were selling for 10 years ago and I think a fair one by todays standards.
timmymac
Well-Known Member
Dano, I'd buy it! I've been looking EVERY DAY for over 1 1/2 yrs. and all I have managed is a body. In fact the other day someone posted seeing one on RJW's site that was more than yours ( & appeared to be in better shape) & I tried to get it. & was too late! I mean I REALLY wanna fill that hole in my collection! The other day, a member posted a bunch of grenades wanting help in ID'ing them had an MKI fuse on an gas grenade I would buy complete grenade it it took that to get fuse, but have not gotten pm reply. Anyway, this one your looking at us the 2nd one I've seen /heard of in the places ive found to look. Good luck brother!Gotta say I've always pretty much subscribed to the " what something is worth is exactly what someone is willing to pay for it" club. I don't have one & want one so , to me , the value of this is of course more than to a guy that has one.
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highlandotter
HONOURED MEMBER RIP
Over many years I built up a collection of over 130 WW1 grenades from 12 countries, but not a single US. I always was out bid on the M1. So my advice is if you get the chance on a good one, don't hesitate.
Marshell just had a baby from my understanding and he owns ordnance.com He has more ordnance then you could ever dream or believe! I hope you can work something out.
dano1917
RIP
Not a rare grenade, but rather call it popular. Supply and demand. When demand exceeds supply prices skyrocket