The year was 1970 and I bought an Indian motorcycle basket case for $15 (no title). I bought a second basket for $50 with title, combined the two along with $50 parts into one working motorcycle. I didn't much care to ride the Indian, I was used to riding a Norton Atlas, a superior handling bike. I traded the Indian for $300 and a Winchester Buffalo Bill Centenial 30-30. I then traded the 30-30 for a 12 gauge single-trigger LC Smith that was cosmetically in 95% condition. Unfortunately, the trigger was bad and it would spontaneously fire. I spent $75 getting it repaired (I thought), but I never used it and finally sold it for $300 in 1979.
So there it is, all starting with a $15 Indian sitting in parts in the middle of a field in the back of a pickup truck.
Steve
As a postscript, I've told this story before, but it turns out the LC Smith wasn't properly repaired and it discharged both barrels all on its own in a duck blind. Fortunately, I'd given the new owner the repair receipt so he knew exactly who to be furious with (thankfully not me).
