New member, sales nut and todays picks.

[jerseyben]

Diggum, just out of curiosity, how do you know so much about railroad stuff? Pretty cool!

 

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[clovis97]

I was thinking sample or maybe one used on those little kiddie trains like the one Steve Martin was engineering in the movie "The Jerk". Any salesmen's sample i've ever seen was a true and accurate representation of the full size version, which this is, except for the color. I've never seen a chrome or polished steel coupler. That being said, it could still be, and probably is a sample piece. The first thing that needs to be done is to id the actual type of coupler that it is. It looks like a Janney coupler, though I don't know what type. Exciting piece regardless. Interested to find out the rest of the story, whatever that may be.

View attachment 809663

The scale of train in the picture is often referred to as 'live steam'.

 

[woodstock]

Well the it's a nice score . You see that you failed to show the Hallmarks that proved it was Sterling and well the box says plate so I hope you understand my doubt ! I wasn't worried about me I was worried that you bought plated for $1300 ! Nice find and a nice verification picture ! Thumbs Up ! Woodstock

Ha, I never noticed what was stickered to the box. I do know sterling when I see it though, especially when it is well marked with Gorham hallmarks or the name in words. I have bought and sold somewhere around 12 sets in the last year by various makers and melted nearly that many.

This is a 63 piece set, settings for 6. I will be able to sell it for at least $2000.00 This type and condition brings a good premium over melt.

 

[war-digs-it]

Well the it's a nice score . You see that you failed to show the Hallmarks that proved it was Sterling and well the box says plate so I hope you understand my doubt ! I wasn't worried about me I was worried that you bought plated for $1300 ! Nice find and a nice verification picture ! Thumbs Up ! Woodstock

Yes, I'm a newbie here, never posted in forums before. I have seen people here and elsewhere make those mistakes buying silver-plate thinking or just hoping for sterling.
Appreciate you looking out.

 

[Historyhound]

Ya know, there's a chance, those couplers are a salesman sample. They're not stored as if they are meant to be actually used.

 

[DizzyDigger]

The boxes usually get scrapped unless they're either perfect or
original and in pretty good shape. They stack up and then it's time to thin the herd.

Next time you need to "thin the herd", post them up in the Classified
section! Those boxes are superb for displaying minerals and other
items, and they will sell fast if the price is right.

 

[clorox]

I'm thinking salesman sample, too. Or perhaps a company museum or exhibition piece. With the chrome and the felt-lined box that thing was made to be looked at.

 

[war-digs-it]

I'm thinking salesman sample, too. Or perhaps a company museum or exhibition piece. With the chrome and the felt-lined box that thing was made to be looked at.

Thanks clorox. bigfoot1 says he thinks so as he did research and showed pictures to a collector friend of his who has not seen anything like it.

 

[clorox]

BTW, is it actually steel? From the pictures I would have thought it was made of aluminum, especially the picture in the box.

 

[war-digs-it]

BTW, is it actually steel? From the pictures I would have thought it was made of aluminum, especially the picture in the box.

Oh yeah, it's steel. In the pics the interior corners show that it is sand cast, and all the rest has been ground smooth and polished to a near chrome finish. Not light, not plated and finished akin to fine jewelry.

 

[diggummup]

I'm thinking salesman sample, too. Or perhaps a company museum or exhibition piece. With the chrome and the felt-lined box that thing was made to be looked at.

I agree. I'm leaning towards the latter versus a salesmen's sample.

Diggum, just out of curiosity, how do you know so much about railroad stuff? Pretty cool!

Railroads help build this country, how could someone who loves history and metal detecting not have an interest in them? I probably know a little more about salemen's samples than RR's. But I do have an interest in RR memorabilia and have found/bought researched and sold different pieces over the years. Nothing like this though.

 

[jerseyben]

I agree. I'm leaning towards the latter versus a salesmen's sample.


Railroads help build this country, how could someone who loves history and metal detecting not have an interest in them? I probably know a little more about salemen's samples than RR's. But I do have an interest in RR memorabilia and have found/bought researched and sold different pieces over the years. Nothing like this though.

Way to make me feel bad about not knowing my railroad history...