A couple years ago I walked into an antique store. There was a pot metal cowboy statue, very cheaply made. The antique guy said it was part of a lamp. I bought it 80 bucks. Sold it for $550 , why, it wasn't a lamp part, it was a sovenier from buffalo bills wild west show they sold them at the show.

The collector was thrilled. You can buy some nice boots doing that

Some guys go looking for gold in Alaska, it is run in your house or down the street in an antique store. They dealers don't know everything nor do I but you can find lots of deals