But Axe, just because you got it without any knowledge to what it might mean to a collector, or obviously to the seller, doesn't meant that it doesn't have a significantly higher value... It's great that you got them and later found out what they were worth...it's always a nice surprise.
Similarly, just because I pay $325 for a gun that is worth $1000 doesn't mean that the next time someone asks what is it worth, I jump up and say "well I got mine for $325 so that's what it worth"...it doesn't matter what I paid for it, what matters is what the market value of something is.
Take a the Shootists Bisley 22s for example...there were only 52 of them and they routinely sell for well over $2000...
When you look at what the regular Bisley 44 specials are selling for ($550-$600), with a limited run of 500 or so each, and then you look at this gun, with only 92 of them, it makes sense (to me at least) that it should be worth just about as much.
I fully agree with you, however, that future (long term...years/decades from now) value is a crap shoot, but I think we can put a pretty good value on them today.
Just my $0.02.
BTW - I got my first one today, here are a few quick pictures...
I pick up my other one this weekend, along with a VERY unique 4 5/8" 44 Special Bisley flat-top (more details to follow ;D )
BB45C