Did the pawn shop try ripping me off with my sword?

Question:I was going to go and sell my sword that my grandfather gave to me before he died because we were low on money. But when i gave it to the vendor at the pawn shop he said the highest price he would give me for it was $5.00... Is that a resinable price for a sword now a days? Also the swords about 3ft., made of stainles steel, its about 60 years old, no rust, has a leather case, and it says "United States Marines" ingreaved on the side. It's a sword my grandfather gave me before he died he got it from when he serverd time in the Marine's. How much sould a sword like that got for?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I was going to go and sell my sword that my grandfather gave to me before he died because we were low on money. But when i gave it to the vendor at the pawn shop he said the highest price he would give me for it was $5.00... Is that a resinable price for a sword now a days? Also the swords about 3ft., made of stainles steel, its about 60 years old, no rust, has a leather case, and it says "United States Marines" ingreaved on the side. It's a sword my grandfather gave me before he died he got it from when he serverd time in the Marine's. How much sould a sword like that got for?

The dealer is trying to rip you off ,big time..a isue marine malmaluke is worth much ,much more than$5..several hundred dollars probably,depending on which one it is and condition.Its also a priceless family heirloom,worth far more than money for what it represents and for what you grandfather did for it,check some of the history sites and such if you must sell it (one should never sell family hertitage) .Any idea if its an officer sabre or NCO ? At anyrate the pawn dealer is totally out of line,if its genuine.the officer sword has the white hard handle,the NCO is usually wire wrapped more traditional style sword.

It's worth many times $5.

Don't know, but certainly a whole lot more than five dollars.

The scrap metal is worth more than that. Put it on craigslist, and see how much its really worth. Or poke around the internet, I'm sure others are for sale.

what a ripe off...!!

You might try a military category. You might get more answers there.

The sword is worth more than $5, but that does not mean the pawnbroker was attempting to cheat you. Five dollars was all that he was willing to pay for it because he must mark it up to a higher price so as to make a profit when he sells it. He knows if he has an overstock of swords and if he is likely to get any customers to buy your sword. He is taking the risk that no one will ever purchase it from him and it will just take up space in his store. Check EBay for prices that others are asking for swords and consider selling it at auction.

Any sword is worth more than $5 even if it's fairly new (which 60 years old would be) As someone else said the scrap metal would have been worth more so would the leather for the case come to that.

Try going on e-bay or a simalar site and find out if there are any others for sale. You could also try taking it to a local antiques store (your sword is not technically an antique but they should be able to give you a basic valuation.) Or you could contact the marines and ask them what they think it would go for.