Ep 1. Pilot

In this first episode of Combat Pawn, viewers are introduced to the American Jewelry and Loan shop in Detroit, Michigan. This shop is unique in that it specializes in buying and selling military items, specifically those related to combat. The show focuses on the various interesting and unusual items that come through the shop, as well as the personalities of the workers who make deals with customers day in and day out.

The first customer that viewers meet is Michael, who visits the shop with his father-in-law Ronald. Ronald has a collection of knives and is hoping to sell some of them. Seth, the shop's owner, negotiates with Ronald on the price of the knives, ultimately offering a lower price than Ronald is willing to accept. Seth suggests that Ronald take the knives back and think about the offer, but Ronald seems hesitant to do so. Michael also expresses interest in some of the other items in the shop, including a WWII era army helmet and a grenade launcher. Seth and the rest of the workers discuss the legality of selling the grenade launcher and ultimately decide not to make the purchase.

The next customer is a man named Tom, who is trying to sell a Civil War-era musket. Tom is initially asking for $1,500 for the musket, but Seth and his team are skeptical of the authenticity of the item. They ask Tom if he has any paperwork or documentation to prove that the musket is truly from the Civil War era, but Tom does not have any such documentation. Seth offers Tom $300 for the musket, but Tom refuses to sell it for less than $1,000. Seth ultimately decides not to make the purchase, citing concerns about the authenticity of the item.

Throughout the episode, the workers at American Jewelry and Loan discuss the unique nature of their business. They note that dealing in military items is not typically the type of business found in a pawn shop, but they emphasize the importance of preserving history and the value of these items to collectors. Viewers also get to see some of the items the shop has acquired over the years, including a rocket launcher and a tank.

One of the highlights of the episode is a visit from a man named Rochelle. Rochelle is a veteran and collector of military items, and he brings in a WWII flamethrower for the team to appraise. The workers are in awe of the rare item and handle it with great care. Seth ultimately makes an offer to buy the flamethrower, but Rochelle decides to hold onto it for sentimental reasons.

The episode concludes with Seth reflecting on the unique nature of his business and discussing the challenges of balancing his role as a businessman with his passion for military history. He notes that the military items in his shop are more than just merchandise; they represent important historical moments and the sacrifices made by generations of veterans.

Overall, the first episode of Combat Pawn provides viewers with a glimpse into the world of militaria trading and the unique personalities who make up the industry. The show offers a fascinating look at the history behind the items in the shop and the stories of the people who bring them in. With intriguing items, interesting customers, and a passionate team of workers, Combat Pawn is sure to be a hit with history buffs and reality TV fans alike.