Auction Hunters: Season 3, Episode 7: “Drumming Up Cash.”
Haff-Ton team drove to Glendale, California. Town full of car dealerships and shopping centers.
Fact: Hollywood legend John Wayne graduated from Glendale H.S. in 1925.
Blatan Brothers, men of few words, attended the auction. Competition stiff for our guys.
Contractor’s Unit
Tool box, flashlight, frame, hedge trimmer, hard case, TV, lever, and boxes. Duo won the locker for $400.
Allen found a drill. Ton discovered a power saw. Allen mentioned they didn’t need to spend money at hardware stores anymore.
Ton found a large Gallagher-style hammer.
Fact: Prop comic Gallagher has smashed over 9000 watermelons throughout his career.
Hammer made for the strong man carnival game. Allen found the rest of the pieces. Once put together, Allen tried to hit the bell.
He tried again, and again, and again. He missed every time and barely got his score above “Dead Head.” Ton hit the bell on the first try.
Ton uncovered a pyrotechnic digital controller inside a case. Could be used to light fireworks. Set them off at specific music cues on a soundtrack.
Ton wanted Allen to pull the trigger switch. Allen said the obvious – controller wasn’t hooked up to fireworks. Ton’s answer: “You’re right. We should hook it up to something.”
I don’t think that’s what Allen meant.
Duo took the controller to Mike, a pyrotechnic engineer. Mike said controller were used a lot and he’d love to get his hands on another one. But did it work?
Fact: Each year over 8600 fireworks-related injuries occur on 4th of July weekend.
If the machine did not work correctly it would not go off; or it would set off the charges in the wrong order.
Fact: Fireworks first appeared in China in 200 B.C. and were used to ‘ward off evil spirits’.
Ton finally pulled the trigger. Controller worked beautifully and gorgeous fireworks lit up the sky. Sold!
Mike paid $4,500.
Musician Unit
Dresser, door, fan, suitcases, three trunks, vintage gas tank, music stand, suitcase, and rifle case. Duo won the locker for $650.
Ton found NASCAR collectable cards. Allen unimpressed. Who collects NASCAR cards? Ton also had a little fun with a skull prop.
Jones also found a vintage drum set. Haff found a unique cymbal.
Duo took the musical instrument to Stan and Jerry, drum experts. Drums were made by the Slingerland Company. One problem. Not a matching set. Two parts from the 1930’s and the base from the 1950’s. Drums valued at $350.
Fact: Founded in Chicago in 1920, Slingerland drums became popular during the Jazz Era.
Allen brought out the cymbal. It was made in Istanbul, Turkey by the Zildjian Company.
Fact: Founded in 1632, Zildjian is the world’s oldest company still in business today.
Zildjian Company had made cymbals for 400 years. Cymbal’s value could be between $1,500-$2,000; but only if the tone was decent.
Fact: For over 400 years, Zildjian cymbals have been made using a ‘secret’ metal alloy.
Cymbals and drums set up. Drums were okay but the cymbal sounded great.
Haff-Ton team asked $2,000 the set. Stan offered $1,200. Allen countered with $1,700. Musicians really wanted the cymbal. Sold!
Allen drummed to money.
Auction Total:
Paid $1,150
Sold: $8,305
Profit: $7,115
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