This show begins with Rick Harrison and Chumlee helping out a lady customer who came in with a badge from the old television series, Dragnet. Dragnet made it’s debut on radio in 1949, and on TV in 1951. It was considered the most influential police drama in history. The TV series in later years starred Jack Webb, and Harry Morgan. The lady said that she obtained the badge at age 8, from her uncle, who worked on the TV series. She originally wanted $500 for it. Rick offered her $300, then they settled on $350.

The next customer brought in an old steel mandolin, manufactured by National. Corey “Big Hoss” Harrison and the Old Man waited on him. The customer claimed that he found it in a basement of an old house in New Jersey. Mandolins were first used in Europe in the 1700′s. The most expensive mandolin sold was Bill Monroe’s in 1991 for $1.25 Million. Bill Monroe was a famous bluegrass/country music star who died in 1996. Before Corey could make an offer, he had to have an expert take a look at it. He called in Jesse, from Cowtown Guitars in Las Vegas. He estimated that in it’s current condition, it was worth about $1000. Corey then dickered with the customer, first offering $300, then settling on $500. Corey had Jesse restore the National Mandolin at a cost of $150, and Jesse told Corey that it would now be worth about $2k in it’s restored condition. Austin Chumlee Russell from Pawn Stars

Austin Chumlee Russell from Pawn Stars

Rick Harrison got call from a guy who said he had an old antique cannon for sale. Rick, Corey, and Chumlee drove out to take a look at it. It turned out to be an old civil war cannon used at parades, essentially a “Parade Cannon”, used by the civil war veterans, the Grand Army of the Republic. The last civil war veteran died in 1956. His name was Albert Woolson, who was 109 years old. Rick called in Sean Rich, from Antique Arms and Amour to take a look at it. Sean came out, then they test fired it. It was in great shape, however there was no documentation from the cannon that indicated it’s manufacture date. Rick had to pass on it because there is a law that says he cannot buy any firearms manufactured after 1900. Even though it appeared to be a civil war cannon, there was a plaque on the cannon with a September 1903 date.

Back at the store again, Rick Harrison and Chumlee (who’s real name is Austin Chumlee Russell) waited on a guy who brought in a signed, Abraham Lincoln print. The highest price paid for an authentic Abraham Lincoln signed document was $3.4 Million. Rick took a look at it and he immediately sensed that it was not authentic. Rick told the customer a story about a famous forger by the name of Joseph Cosey, who forged quite a few Abraham Lincoln signatures, including many other famous Americans as well. It turned out that the guy had a copy of a forged document, so he didn’t even have the original forged document. It turned out to be worthless.

Watch Pawn Stars every Monday on A&E . Check your local listings for times.