Its hard to part with the money but in the end, guns don't eat anything and you will have an amazing piece of American History. These guns only keep going up in money. So you are actually loosing money by not buying it, considering the appreciation of the gun and the hours of joy you will get shooting it.
Update: I made sure the bills were going to be paid and assembled the money. I then find out he sold it earlier in the day for a fair market value. I suppose he and I both got what we wanted. Thanks for the input everyone!
Actually, now that I think about it, I have sold guns to friends under the condition that if they ever need to sell it, they have to give me first dibs! Something to think about.