Pawn Stars: 5 SUPER RARE ILLEGAL ITEMS!

Summary

The video script features various individuals bringing unique items to a pawn shop for evaluation and potential sale. These include a hidden gun desk, a turtle shell guitar with legal concerns, a 1950s German spy camera with questionable authenticity, a 1973 Penn State Orange Bowl ring with removed engravings, and an ancient shekel of Tyre that initially appears stolen but is later cleared. The script highlights the complexities of pawn shop transactions, legal issues surrounding certain items, and the expertise required to authenticate and value rare and historical objects.

Takeaways

• 🔍 A man brought in a unique item, a desk that doubles as a gun, which fires a bullet when the inkwell is pressed.
• 🤔 The owner of the gun desk is unsure of its value, origin, and age, seeking expert advice on its potential worth and history.
• 🏬 The gun desk was acquired from an estate sale, initially thought to be a regular desk until its secret compartment was discovered.
• 🔎 An expert in antique arms and armor, Sean Rich, evaluates the gun desk, noting its novelty and rarity but questions its practicality.
• 📜 The gun desk might be an antique, manufactured before 1898, which would exempt it from ATF registration, but its exact age is uncertain.
• 🚫 Due to legal concerns regarding the gun desk's age and registration, it cannot be sold until it is professionally deactivated.
• 🎸 A customer attempts to sell a turtle shell guitar, which is potentially illegal due to endangered species regulations.
• 🎵 The turtle shell guitar is appraised for its historical and musical value, but its legality remains a concern for the pawn shop.
• 📷 A 1950s Myinox 3 German spy camera is brought in, with the seller hoping for a quick cash sale, but its authenticity and value are in question.
• 🏈 A Penn State University 1973 Orange Bowl ring is presented for sale, but the pawn shop refuses it due to removed engravings, making it potentially illegal to sell.
• 🤔 A shekel of Tyre, an ancient coin, is bought by Rick, who believes it may be valuable, but it is later suspected to be stolen and put on hold by the police.
• 💰 The shekel is eventually cleared as not stolen after the original owner was compensated by insurance, and Rick is vindicated in his purchase.

Q & A

What is the unique item described in the beginning of the script?

The unique item is a 'gun desk', which is a desk that has a hidden gun mechanism, firing a bullet when the ink well is pressed down.

What is the significance of the year 1898 in the context of the gun desk?

The year 1898 is significant because firearms made before this year are considered antiques and do not require registration with the ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) in the United States.

What is the problem with the gun desk's barrel?

The problem with the gun desk's barrel is that it is tiny and open-ended, which means the bullet will not come out with a lot of power due to the lack of back pressure to build up.

Why is the gun desk considered a collector's novelty?

The gun desk is considered a collector's novelty because of its rare and unusual design, which makes it an interesting piece for collectors of antique arms and armor.

What is the issue with the guitar made from tortoiseshell?

The issue with the guitar is that it may have been made after the 1970s ban on tortoiseshell trade, which makes it illegal to sell if it is not an antique.

What does the script imply about the legality of selling the tortoiseshell guitar?

The script implies that selling the tortoiseshell guitar could be illegal if it was made after the 1970s ban on tortoiseshell trade, and it advises caution due to the potential for severe penalties.

What is the problem with the 1950s German spy camera?

The problem with the spy camera is that it has a removed serial number and an engraved name that does not belong to the current owner, which raises red flags about its provenance and legality.

Why is the Penn State University 1973 Orange Bowl ring a concern for the pawn shop?

The concern is that the ring has had its engravings removed, which makes it unidentifiable and potentially illegal to buy or sell, as it could be stolen property.

What is the historical significance of the shekel of Tyre coin?

The shekel of Tyre is historically significant because it was a common coin in the Middle East around 2,000 years ago and is associated with biblical times, including the story of Judas betraying Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

What was the initial problem with the shekel of Tyre coin that was bought by Rick?

The initial problem was that the coin was suspected to be stolen, which led to it being put on hold and potentially causing a loss of the investment for Rick.

What was the final outcome regarding the authenticity and ownership of the shekel of Tyre coin?

The final outcome was that the coin was found to be authentic and not stolen, as the original owner had been compensated by an insurance company for its loss, clearing the way for Rick to legally own and sell the coin.