Additional Coverage:
- ‘Pawn Stars’ boss Rick Harrison pays a small amount for an illegal smuggling item (marketrealist.com)
Local Pawn Shop Owner Unearths Quirky WWII Smuggling Devices on “Pawn Stars”
Las Vegas, NV – Gold & Silver Pawn Shop owner Rick Harrison, known for his keen eye and knack for uncovering hidden treasures, recently encountered a truly unique — and slightly illegal — piece of history on the hit show “Pawn Stars.” What started as a seemingly innocuous visit turned into a fascinating dive into World War II-era smuggling tactics, culminating in Harrison shelling out a modest sum for a truly peculiar set of artifacts.
A guest brought in what appeared to be a collection of antique wooden books. However, these weren’t for reading; they were ingeniously carved hollow boxes designed to look like literature, intended to conceal firearms for cross-border smuggling during WWII. According to the seller, these particular items were used to sneak German firearms and ammunition into the United States.
Harrison, no stranger to oddities, was immediately intrigued. The guest presented a letter confirming the items’ confiscation by authorities and their origin during the war, adding a layer of verifiable history to the intriguing tale. The discovery of these “books” in a friend’s attic even prompted Harrison to playfully — and perhaps half-seriously — inquire if the friend had a side hustle in illegal arms dealing!
Despite their fascinating backstory, Harrison was admittedly baffled by the design. “One close look or even a simple touch would reveal these weren’t real books,” he noted, pondering the amount of effort that went into creating such impractical smuggling tools. He mused that simply hollowing out actual books would have been far more effective and less conspicuous.
The items presented a unique challenge for valuation. Their sheer impracticality as smuggling devices was balanced by their undeniable historical significance and the craftsmanship involved.
With nothing comparable on the market, Harrison found himself in a tough spot. The seller initially hoped for $600, a figure that seemed reasonable for such an antique with a compelling narrative.
However, when it came down to making an offer, the seller deferred to Harrison’s expertise. “You probably know more about this stuff than I do.
Name a price,” he told the pawn shop boss. Harrison, ever the shrewd negotiator, offered a mere $50, citing their curiosity value rather than any practical worth.
After a brief back-and-forth, the two settled on $65. While far from the initial asking price, the guest didn’t seem too disheartened, walking away with cash and a story for the ages.
It just goes to show that even the most peculiar and seemingly useless items can hold a fascinating piece of history, especially when they land on Rick Harrison’s counter.