The 'Dans were the Mack-Daddy, and still are.
Others want one for the simple quality and dependability. Baby Boomers like myself want to relive their youth and get one they either had or wanted as a kid. The reason the command these prices is supply and demand. Lucky finds at garage sales, estate sales, pawn shops where the seller does not know their value. You will see others here scoring them for $50 or less, but those are the exception anymore. I recently glued it with a black Loc-tite 'superglue' someone here suggested and it turned out nice. The barrel solder joint was just starting to fail under the rear sight (common). I did not know about the slight barrel separation at the time of purchase. I found it on Ebay with a 'Make Offer' button and was listed as having a Peep, but when I pointed out the sight was a stock rear blade and the condition of the wood, he accepted my $150 offer.
I had been watching for one for a while and keep seeing them go for $175-$225 like you. Only $10 more but thought I should make it right. I had to go back and edit my post this morning, I was replying via cell phone and fat fingered the price.
