I either stole it, or screwed myself.

old_ironsights · July 11, 2009, 05:01 PM

Bought it on gunbroker $205.00. I enjoy uncommon weapons as my Bernardellis, Benelli, etc. This Mamba caught my eye. I made the minimum bid and got it.

Now when I figure out what the hell to do with it...

Te Anau · July 11, 2009, 05:08 PM

I love orphans as well.I've never seen a Mamba in person.

curt.45 · July 11, 2009, 05:18 PM

looks like a Smith&Wesson copy

SouthpawShootr · July 11, 2009, 08:25 PM

Screwed yourself? I doubt it. If it's a decent quality pistol, $205 is great if you're shooting. There's one on GunsAmerica for nearly $900.

I have no experience with them nor have I ever seen one before. So, the ultimate answer to your question is........a question: Are you happy with it?

bigghoss · July 11, 2009, 08:44 PM

while I don't know anything about them I'd guess $200 is a fair price. especially if you like unique.

Zilmo · July 11, 2009, 08:47 PM

Don't know a thing about them, but I like it! $200 beans isn't squat.

PT111 · July 11, 2009, 09:32 PM

Are you trying to sell it already. If so you have a good markup on it.

http://www.gunsamerica.com/906895534...mm_Pistol.htm#

lee n. field · July 11, 2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

looks like a Smith&Wesson copy

Make that "like the love child of a S&W and a 1911".

Interesting. Never seen or heard of this before.

Sevens · July 11, 2009, 09:55 PM

I certainly do see the S&W influence, but look again and just try to tell me that there isn't also a little bit of Colt Double Eagle styling cues on that pistol. Look at the curved trigger guard, the frame mounted safety with the corresponding cutout in the slide and those odd shiny black plastic grips. Add the forward leaning serrations and I'm seeing Double Eagle.

I have never heard of a Mamba pistol... but if I ran in to that at a gunshow, I'd have to handle it and inspect it at that low price. If I liked what I saw upon inspection, there's no doubt I'd spend two hundred bucks on that.

Skan21 · July 11, 2009, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Collectors item only. Navy Arms recommended these not be fired. Appears to have been made in the United States. Please read IMPORTANT NOTICE posted below. Please provide your email address with all communications.This is not an auction. Low-ball offers will not be considered.

I pulled that off the GunsAmerica web site underneath that auction for the mamba.And that was for the $900 pistol! I'd have it checked out before you put rounds through it. Other than that, it's a good looking pistol.

**James K** · July 11, 2009, 11:51 PM

The Blue Book says "manufactured by Viper Co., a division of Sandck Austral, Boksburg, South Africa...designed in Rhodesia, manufacture was not successful due to the use of non-hardened steel used in the investment cast construction process, poor exterior finish, less than 80 were imported into the U.S., and 25 prototypes were built for Navy Arms." They add, "Rarity factor precludes accurate pricing and values vary greatly in different regions."

(In spite of the picture caption, none would have been made BY Navy Arms, which never had production facilities.)

As I recall, they were given writeups in the gunzines, but I can't put a date on that. They grew out of the UN embargo imposed on shipping arms to South Africa at that time, with the result that the SA government encouraged local arms production. I don't know how many of those pistols were actually made, but they certainly are rare in this country and worth much more than the amount mentioned.

Jim

PT111 · July 12, 2009, 08:13 AM

Doesn't sound like you got screwed at all but what are you going to do with it? Donate it to a museum for a $3,000 tax write off since it is a collectable.

Uncle Buck · July 12, 2009, 08:32 AM

LoL - I love oddballs. If I had asked my buddy what to do with it, he would tell me, like he has with every other odd ball I have, "Sell it."

Enjoy it. You have a unique piece here.

Samuel2001 · July 13, 2009, 01:46 AM

Clean it! Take more pictures of the beast and go shoot it for crying out loud!

That thing looks sweet! Hope it shoots!

old_ironsights · July 13, 2009, 08:32 AM

PT111 writes "Are you trying to sell it already. If so you have a good markup on it."

No, PT111, I am not a dealer on gunsamerica, I have no intention of selling, and I am impressed with (1) the price on gunsamerica and (2) your cynicism.

Sarge43 · July 13, 2009, 08:43 AM

It would seem that a bead blasting would do wonders for appearances. Very interesting piece. Thanks for sharing the pics/story, and good luck with it!
Sarge

Steve1911 · July 13, 2009, 11:26 AM

CHECK THIS OUT...

http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=365430

PT111 · July 13, 2009, 12:20 PM

Quote:

PT111 writes "Are you trying to sell it already. If so you have a good markup on it."

No, PT111, I am not a dealer on gunsamerica, I have no intention of selling, and I am impressed with (1) the price on gunsamerica and (2) your cynicism

.

I just noticed that what looked like the same picture on the ad as you posted. I have seen people do this and no insult to you at all.

About the donating it to a museum.

If you make a gun and donate it to a museum you can only take the actual cost of the materials off your taxes as a donation. However you can sell it to me and I can donate it and value it at whatever the apprasial may be. This was a good trick used by some people with paintings. Buy one for $500, get an appraisal of $25,000 and donated it. They can write the full $25,000 off their taxes.

curt.45 · July 13, 2009, 01:05 PM

Quote:

I certainly do see the S&W influence, but look again and just try to tell me that there isn't also a little bit of Colt Double Eagle styling cues on that pistol

well smear me with Vaseline and tie me to Rachael Welsh if you ain't right!

UltraMange · August 2, 2009, 02:46 PM

Old thread, I know, but I still take the chance to wonder if you have any intention of selling the Mamba now, cause I really want one?

old_ironsights · August 2, 2009, 05:16 PM

A well-dealer named Bob Adams http://www.adamsguns.com/
in Albuquerque has one for sale on GB. His 'buy it now' price' is the same price listed on his site. .

His auction for the Mamba is at http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=135771631

July 11, 2009, 05:01 PM	#1
old_ironsights Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2004 Location: ~ OKLAHOMA CITY ~ Posts: 380	I either stole it, or screwed myself. Bought it on gunbroker $205.00. I enjoy uncommon weapons as my Bernardellis, Benelli, etc. This Mamba caught my eye. I made the minimum bid and got it. Now when I figure out what the hell to do with it... __________________ The truth at its worst is superior to lies at their best.

July 11, 2009, 05:08 PM	#2
Te Anau Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2004 Location: Somewhere south of the North pole Posts: 3,824	I love orphans as well.I've never seen a Mamba in person. __________________ "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." --American author Mark Twain (1835-1910)

July 11, 2009, 08:44 PM	#5
bigghoss Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2006 Location: Pueblo, Colorado Posts: 2,623	while I don't know anything about them I'd guess $200 is a fair price. especially if you like unique. __________________ I don't collect guns, I accumulate them.

July 11, 2009, 09:55 PM	#9
Sevens Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2007 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 6,862	I certainly do see the S&W influence, but look again and just try to tell me that there isn't also a little bit of Colt Double Eagle styling cues on that pistol. Look at the curved trigger guard, the frame mounted safety with the corresponding cutout in the slide and those odd shiny black plastic grips. Add the forward leaning serrations and I'm seeing Double Eagle. I have never heard of a Mamba pistol... but if I ran in to that at a gunshow, I'd have to handle it and inspect it at that low price. If I liked what I saw upon inspection, there's no doubt I'd spend two hundred bucks on that. __________________ *Attention Brass rats and other reloaders:* I really need .327 Federal Magnum brass, no lot size too small. Tell me what caliber you need and I'll see what I have to swap. PM me and we'll discuss.

July 11, 2009, 11:51 PM	#11
James K Staff Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 16,445	The Blue Book says "manufactured by Viper Co., a division of Sandck Austral, Boksburg, South Africa...designed in Rhodesia, manufacture was not successful due to the use of non-hardened steel used in the investment cast construction process, poor exterior finish, less than 80 were imported into the U.S., and 25 prototypes were built for Navy Arms." They add, "Rarity factor precludes accurate pricing and values vary greatly in different regions." (In spite of the picture caption, none would have been made BY Navy Arms, which never had production facilities.) As I recall, they were given writeups in the gunzines, but I can't put a date on that. They grew out of the UN embargo imposed on shipping arms to South Africa at that time, with the result that the SA government encouraged local arms production. I don't know how many of those pistols were actually made, but they certainly are rare in this country and worth much more than the amount mentioned. Jim __________________ Jim K

July 11, 2009, 05:18 PM	#3
curt.45 Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2008 Location: Fort Wayne Ind. Posts: 780	looks like a Smith&Wesson copy

July 11, 2009, 08:25 PM	#4
SouthpawShootr Senior Member Join Date: January 11, 2002 Location: Chesapeake, Va Posts: 883	Screwed yourself? I doubt it. If it's a decent quality pistol, $205 is great if you're shooting. There's one on GunsAmerica for nearly $900. I have no experience with them nor have I ever seen one before. So, the ultimate answer to your question is........a question: Are you happy with it?

July 11, 2009, 08:47 PM	#6
Zilmo Senior Member Join Date: May 30, 2009 Location: At home. Posts: 369	Don't know a thing about them, but I like it! $200 beans isn't squat.

July 11, 2009, 09:32 PM	#7
PT111 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2007 Posts: 1,041	Are you trying to sell it already. If so you have a good markup on it. http://www.gunsamerica.com/906895534...mm_Pistol.htm#

July 12, 2009, 08:13 AM	#12
PT111 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2007 Posts: 1,041	Doesn't sound like you got screwed at all but what are you going to do with it? Donate it to a museum for a $3,000 tax write off since it is a collectable.

July 12, 2009, 08:32 AM	#13
Uncle Buck Senior Member Join Date: June 21, 2009 Location: West Central Missouri Posts: 2,434	LoL - I love oddballs. If I had asked my buddy what to do with it, he would tell me, like he has with every other odd ball I have, "Sell it." Enjoy it. You have a unique piece here.

July 13, 2009, 01:46 AM	#14
Samuel2001 Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2001 Posts: 838	Clean it! Take more pictures of the beast and go shoot it for crying out loud! That thing looks sweet! Hope it shoots! __________________ .45 ACP Because no matter how you try to rationalize it, 9mm is still for women and pansies. Build a bridge, and...GET OVER IT!

July 13, 2009, 08:32 AM	#15
old_ironsights Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2004 Location: ~ OKLAHOMA CITY ~ Posts: 380	PT111 writes "Are you trying to sell it already. If so you have a good markup on it." No, PT111, I am not a dealer on gunsamerica, I have no intention of selling, and I am impressed with (1) the price on gunsamerica and (2) your cynicism. __________________ The truth at its worst is superior to lies at their best.

July 13, 2009, 08:43 AM	#16
Sarge43 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 476	It would seem that a bead blasting would do wonders for appearances. Very interesting piece. Thanks for sharing the pics/story, and good luck with it! Sarge __________________ Exotic wood addict and grip maker www.thefinergrain.com

July 13, 2009, 11:26 AM	#17
Steve1911 Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2009 Posts: 431	CHECK THIS OUT... http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/...d.php?t=365430

August 2, 2009, 02:46 PM	#20
UltraMange Junior Member Join Date: July 30, 2009 Posts: 1	Selling now? Old thread, I know, but I still take the chance to wonder if you have any intention of selling the Mamba now, cause I really want one?

August 2, 2009, 05:16 PM	#21
old_ironsights Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2004 Location: ~ OKLAHOMA CITY ~ Posts: 380	If you reeeeeeeally want a Mamba... A well-dealer named Bob Adams http://www.adamsguns.com/ in Albuquerque has one for sale on GB. His 'buy it now' price' is the same price listed on his site. . His auction for the Mamba is at http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIte...Item=135771631 __________________ The truth at its worst is superior to lies at their best.