/ 220 Comments

One of Our Experts Is Missing

If you’re a fan of the break-out TV hit that is Pawn Stars then you’ve probably noticed something strange is afoot. One of the best parts of this guilty pleasure from the History Channel is when the gang at the World Famous Gold and Silver Pawn Shop call in experts to appraise rare or exotic items. Chumlee and the Old Man are wonderful TV personalities but so are many of the experts featured on the show. I always enjoy seeing Drew Max pull out his over-sized magnifying glass and confirm the value of Babe Ruth’s signature, or Danny Koker break the bad news to a customer that their custom-built trike just isn’t worth the $30,000 they were asking for.

Lately however, one of the show’s most well-known and loved experts has gone missing. Sean Rich is a Master Antique Gunsmith and has appeared in over 50 episodes of Pawn Stars since it debuted in 2009. He’s usually called in when the gang needs antique guns, swords or other armory appraised and his visits are always fun. For the last two seasons Rich has been the go-to guy for these types of appraisals, but he’s been completely absent from season 5 (and much of the last half of S4 as well). The producers started substituting other experts when Rick needed firearms appraised but they’re just not Rich. I knew something fishy was going on when Mark Hall-Patton, the beloved curator of the Clark County Museum System, was called in to appraise a rare LeMat pistol from the Civil War. This was an item that would have made Sean positively dance with glee, and yet here was Mark at the pawn store, looking over an item that was clearly out of his area of expertise. So what’s going on?

The last expert on Pawn Stars that suddenly took a hiatus from the show was Rick Dale, now the star of the spin off show American Restoration. Rick and his shop proved so popular that producers gambled viewers would watch a show just about restoring antique items, and they were right. American Restoration is a great show and Rick is a wonderful TV personality, but is the same thing about to happen with Sean Rich? I think it’s more likely that Sean is simply busy with another project that’s filling his time. Sean worked as a consultant on some of the Pirates of the Caribbean films and so I’m hoping that he’ll eventually return. In addition, Sean’s business Tortuga Trading Inc., is run out of his home and doesn’t have a traditional shop like Rick Dale that could be used as the basis for a new show. The only other explanation is that Sean and the show’s producers had a falling out, and I really hope that didn’t happen.

One of the things I love the most about Sean is how excited he gets to see a genuinely rare piece. He obviously has a great appreciation for history as he often explains in geeky detail what makes a firearm valuable and I must admit his enthusiasm is infectious. Before Pawn Stars came along, I really didn’t know anything about antique guns or why they were awesome but thanks to Rick Dale and Sean Rich I now have a greater appreciation for the value of these fine pieces of history. Here’s hoping Sean eventually emerges from some dusty tomb or secret Hollywood film set and takes his occasional place along side Rick, Corey and the Old Man yet again.

Update: Thanks to an email sent by another curious fan, we now have the answer of what happened to Sean on Pawn Stars. Seems as though the executives at the History Channel and the production company behind Pawn Stars wanted to lock Sean down into an exclusive arrangement for his appearances and offered him little or no money. He refused and so they replaced him. Damn shame, I was afraid of something like this. Thanks a lot History Channel, this is why we can’t have nice things. 🙁

Update II: After two full years, it appears Sean Rich is back on Pawn Stars. Sean briefly appeared on the Oct, 2nd 2014 episode and was brought in to appraise a colt firearm. I was astonished to see him again and stricken by the fact that absolutely no mention was made about why he had been away or why he didn’t receive a nice “Welcome back, Sean!” from Rick or the guys. It seems like The History Channel wants to pretend he never left. Hopefully he’s back for good. Fingers are crossed.

220 Comments

  2. I have been missing my weekly dose of Sean. I also love when he would get a good gun in and Sean was called in to fire it. I hope he comes back. He is too cute not to have on…..

  3. Sean my name is John Henry from Oklahoma City. I was born in Watertown
    New York. I have two civil war cap and ball pistols mfg in Watertown NY they are called Freeman pistols. The plant burned down in the late 1800’s and very few exists. I would like to sell my two but have no idea what they are worth. My phone number is 1-405-203-6824 I would be glad to send you pictures. These were left two me my dad had 8 of them and each kid got two at his passing. The smithsonian wanted them because they didn’t have any.
    John Henry

  4. Update for all of you. Sean is currently filming a secret TV pilot in California this weekend. It involves antique weapons and firearms appraisal, along with auctions held after. It is being held at a small gun shop in a small town in southern California. Hopefully it turns out great and the show gets approval for air time. Hang in there and let’s hope for the best!

  5. Wow, thanks so much for that update Trevor! I really hope this is the case and it sounds really plausible so appreciate the head’s up. Will keep our eyes open for this new show, can’t wait!

  6. you need a life in the worst way. you’re going apeshit over a bunch of staged, scripted shows. do you really think that much high end valuable stuff comes in a pawn shop? they get people junk they don’t want. your obviously not the brightest crayon in the box. I guess you think repo guys get in fights on every singe repo too!

  7. “Hello Rachel and Rob,
    Thank you for the e-mail. At the moment: Unfortunately, to make a very long story short, the production company and History Channel wanted me to sign an ‘exclusivity agreement’ to lock me down, control me, my business, future, my appearance, how I make a living to provide for my family, and expect me to do it for free or very little money without any negotiation (with no guarantee of being used !). So basically, I told them to ‘go pound sand…’
    Please understand, that my decision has nothing to do with Rick and the Harrison’s, I love those guys. It is the unfortunate nature of the production company and Network greed when they have a successful show. Who knows, if enough fans cry out, maybe they will get the message and come back to the table of ‘reality’…
    Thank you for your support !
    Sean Rich
    TortugaTrading Inc.”

    source: http://basilthecatjewelry.blogspot.com/2012/03/sean-rich-vs-pawn-stars.html

  8. Wow djcomblab, thanks for posting that! Answers the question as far as I’m concerned. Stupid TV network execs!

  10. No one answered this on Facebook page for ‘Pawn Stars on History’. Was wondering if anyone knew why in 2009, episode “Time Machines”, Ron, Rick Dale’s brother (of American Restoration) came in to sell a 1950’s coke machine to Rick Harrison, who then takes it to Rick Dale (Ron’s brother) to repair. There was no mention of Ron being Rick’s brother. All Ron told Rick Harrison was that the coke machine had been in the family for years and he knew nothing else about it. This was obviously set up, but for whose benefit, American Restoration?

  11. Denise,

    Guess I’m going to have to go back and watch that episode again. Quite possible the producers were making maneuvers behind the scenes to help set up American Restoration as their own show at the time. Hard to say.

  12. Hey Guys,

    I miss seeing Sean as much as anyone else but if they aren’t paying him enough, I think they should put him under contract. I am sure he is willing to negotate a figure that makes all involved happy. I mean if they put up with Chumlee, there has got to be some room for negotation. I did notice on the first 2 times they needed an expert, they called that guy from Idaho that Rick wanted to buy a Gatling gun from. It just isn’t right to use people. If Sean Rich dosn’t return soon, I’ll be watching Lizard Lick Towing.

  13. Really, Mark? You are on here telling other people to get a life when you are obviously not a fan of the show…yet here you are reading and commenting on blogs for things that are apparently “below” you. My guess is that you have spent much of your life trying to make yourself feel better by putting other peoples interests down with hopes of making them feel bad. How is that working out for you? You sad, embittered, pathetic, little man. Sounds like your life is reduced to spending it all on the Internet puttings others down as a last ditch effort to improve your self esteem. Let me throw you a bone cause I actually feel a little sorry for you…it ain’t gonna work d-bag.

  15. I also miss Sean! My dad and I have been wondering where he was. That’s a shame he won’t be around. I love his enthusiasm and intelligence. He’s not bad to look at either. 😛

  16. Hope the decision costs History Channel dearly. Am now an ex pawn star fan. Discovery Channel here I come on Monday nights.

  17. I was wondering what happened to him. wonder if we could email history channel & get him back??

  19. Sean Rich is still listed as an expert on the History Channel website. If you look at the experts from Pawn Stars, there is still a bio on him

  20. I don’t know if you guys are old enough,but the History Channel used to show very interesting documentarys “about history” but that is long gone, probably forever. All they want now is a fast buck and loads of re-runs!!!

  21. P.S. They also give false information about historical items. Do you really think they know all this stuff off the top of their heads?

  22. I have to give Sean a lot of praise he gave the show credibility unlike the money grubbing owners. Could be it was like that “Back in the day”

  23. I sent an email to the History channel on their website requesting that Sean come back on Pawn Stars. If we all so that, it may influence the execs. Also, we need to think about how far Sean’s store is from Las Vagas – 5 hours by car. That would take a whole day if he came for one appraisal. (Perhaps they bundle them for him to make it worth the trip and then show them on different episodes.)

  24. Thank you for clearing up the mystery. I hoped Sean was also doing a pilot, I would be totally down with that. It sucks that History Channel did not show him the love.
    I’m buying whatever Sean is selling, he is the entire package. Intelligent, articulate, informed and yes, hot as hell. I think the joke is on the network, they truly missed the mark here.
    Best of luck to Sean & family.

  25. thank you for the heads up. I was wondering were Sean Rich went too. he would have made another great spin off.

  28. Thats bull. Hes awesome. When that show does stuff like that its authenticity gets to be in question. Its becoming more just a tv show then actually about historical items.

  29. Its been sad not seeing Sean on the show . Every time he would come on my kids would say mom your boyfriend is on & I would stop and watch him. I like all the other experts also so it wouldnt be fair to them or the pawn stars to stop watching the show. It makes the reruns more special. Sean your SMOKIN HOT!!!

  30. It’s fun to see that other ladies thought he was a cutie too! It was always a nice surprise when the show needed a gun expert and a handsome man would show up! I vote for ;ots more handsome looking experts!

  31. Thank you for finding out what happened to him. My boyfriend and I watch the show religiously and were also wondering what happened to Sean. We thought it was odd that all of a sudden he was gone; we assumed that he just got tied up in doing other work. Damn shame that they couldn’t work out a deal with him that would have kept him on board 🙁

  32. Looks like they have a new gun expert to replace Sean. He’s been on a couple of shows already and I think I saw him on American Restoration. At least he seems to know his stuff. I wonder if there’s a connection between Sean and Craig, who are both from San Diego. Too weird to be a coincidence.

  33. Sean needs to come back! Or have his own show. I learned a great deal – and that is why I love Pawn Stars. My point of view: love Sean, he tall handwriting guy and the young lady who critiques books…….Please get rid of the museum curator with the hat and lack of complete information! He has been outright wrong a number of times. LOVE SEAN, bring him back or work him into something else.

  34. Glad I read these comments. I am writing the History Channel to bring Sean back or I will boycott the channel. Sean is THE most authentic and enthusiastic experts on the show. Of course it’s scripted folks, there’s not much that isn’t but it’s still fun.

  35. Oddly as it seems, I have become so bothered by these other gun appraisers I had to google what the deal was with Sean. Go figure they feel the need to cut costs when it comes to education.

  36. Dear GED:
    This is your blog, so can’t you just delete unpleasant contributions from trolls like Mark? It really lobs a gigantic Baby Ruth in the punch bowl of otherwise pleasant exchanges. Most unpleasant.
    I miss Sean, but I love Mark Hall-Patton too much to seriously threaten a boycott. Bring back Sean!

  37. Jeri, I debated deleting Mark’s comments and would have if continued his tirade but he wrote just the one post so I let it stand.

    I also love Mark from the show, almost as much as I love Drew Max and Sean too. I really wish the History Channel could make a deal to bring him back, although my hope is fading fast.

  38. Thanks for looking into and posting about Sean Rich’s absence from Pawn Stars. Not that I dislike the other gun experts, but Sean Rich’s enthusiasm is sorely missed. Good to hear that he might be doing his own show 🙂

  39. I just want to reiterate that Sean has scheduling conflicts but should return as an expert on the show. This is very clear from Sean’s facebook post:

    “For those of you who have noticed, asked, and emailed me personally I have not been on recent episodes of Pawn Stars due to scheduling. I did have dinner with Rick while I was in Vegas and he is doing great. I will keep you all posted if I am on new episodes. Thank you!”

    Clearly, Sean has many projects and there is no salary feud with the History Channel. So there you guys have it! We’ll know when he’ll be on again. Make sure to Like Tortuga Trading on facebook.

    https://www.facebook.com/tortugatrading?ref=ts

  40. I questioned Seans absence on the PS Facebook site and my remark was immediately removed which I may say annoyed me a little. Sean was by far the best expert that was called in although apart from the “curator who wont commit to value” they are all good. I do watch less now and am carefully assessing to make sure that the show continues its emphasis on artefacts and does not deteroirate too much into sham and fabrication as most other reality shows have done—too many to cite!!! So long as it remains semi-real I will continue to watch and miss Sean as a real informing and interesting character. Sad loss, I wish him the best for the future in any endeavour.

  42. I feel this is a great shame and would like to know how to make it known to The History Channel Producers…..anyone have any links to complain to….Sean made the show and I have found myself not watching as much because of him missing…..Can’t the producers see what an asset he was ?

  44. Certainly miss Sean Rich, his expertise, enthusiasm, charm and well, his good looks didn’t hurt…. History Channel, bring him back please.

  45. I was wondering the same thing and behold the internet knows everything. That emails seems a bit far fetched to me. I can’t imagine him just throwing the show under the bus even if he did get a raw deal.

  46. The only way they will bring Sean back is by not watching pawn stars and the ratings drop, that’s the only thing these greedy execs understand, loss of money.

  47. Agree with Janell and others – Sean is smokin’ hot and his knowledgeable/enthusiastic contributions were a big boost to any ep of Pawn Stars. Says a lot that so many people would seek out his whereabouts – thanks for this informative blog. Hope another deal comes through for him – I’m buying whatever he’s selling. Also love Rick, Chumlee, Corey, Old Man, the Amish Museum Guy and all the PS regulars – but sure miss Sean.

  48. I was wondering too what happened to Sean. Thanks for the info!! I hope History Channel can read all the comments we have here.

  49. Same here! Not as interesting when ‘arms and armour’ needs appraising. It is clear that Sean is an expert, and his enthusiasm makes the show fun to watch, especially when they take a gun to the range to fire it. Sean seems to be a very cool guy, very down to earth, and a good guy to have a beer with and shoot the breeze. That’s why all the viewers want him on the show, along with the fact that he knows his stuff, and can educate us. I about fell over when they had Mark from the Clarke County Museum evaluate that gun. He clearly was out of his area of expertise. I like Mark too, but that was hard to watch. I keep checking to see if Sean has returned. Unfortunately, not yet. I definitely don’t watch as much as I used to.

  50. What have we all become? Though I too like the show, its a TV show. Some of it is “set up” you know. Oh well.

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