Silly sentimental me

[Tubac]

I'm parring down my guns and have an original 1st series Merwin for sale.
A guy that's interested contacted me and made me an offer. The offer's
not bad, but he said he want's the pistol for parts.
The piece, with the exception of the take down slide, is all original with
matching numbers.
I'm having problems selling a 130 year old M-H, knowing it may be broken up for parts.
Am I just being a sentimental fool? Does this make sense to anybody else?

Tubac

[Deadeye Don]

If the gun is a shooter then if makes perfect sense to me.  Is it listed in the classifieds??  Give us all some information and a picture would be nice.   

[Tubac]

Deadeye,

it's sort of a shooter. It's in .44 M&H, so you have to cut down .41 mag brass, fire form it
and use .427 bullets. But it can be done.
Here are photos.
Tubac

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[Fox Creek Kid]

Tubac, it's a tough call for sure.

#1. A person owes it to posterity to preserve the gun.

#2. Unless said gun is totally beyond restoration.

That's pretty much the gun collector's creed as many view themselves not as an owner but merely a caretaker until that person passes it on, or they pass on. I guess it wouldn't be so upsetting if it was something more common. Then again, it's your gun and ultimately your decision. There is however a third avenue, so to speak. If it's a smaller part he seeks then there are qualified machinists who can make it. Just my two cents. 

[Wild Ben Raymond]

Howdy! I don't know what you were offered but I was at the Dakota Territiory Gun Collector show last weekend and saw one that looked very much like yours with the exception of the hammer. The one I saw had a hump back styled one, and had problems with poor suction and a sloppy fit. He wanted $2,200.00 for it! If yours is without problems other that a missing button and a chip in the grip, I would keep it, seems just a dang shame to sell a gun to someone whom won't appreaciate it, only to break it up for parts. WBR   

[Beans]

Selling a gun is in the same as giving a gift.  Once you do either it doesn't belong to you anymore and what the new owner may do to it may break your heart.

I have done both and there is sometimes regets and I've told myself " If I
 knew that was going to happen I would have kept it."

[Silver_Rings]

It is true that once you give or sell an item it is no longer yours to control.  However I would hate to sell an old gun that is in original condition to some one who will destroy it. 

Your decision.

SR