It's time to face reality
The vast majority of people under 65 in the United States with disposable cash have a firm conviction that shooting birds is ugly, cruel and barbaric. They would gladly see hunting banned and most of them have a strong antipathy towards guns of all kind.
I am an exception insofar as I am a professional in my early 60's and I like guns. And even though I don't hunt it does not bother me that others do.
Several years ago I bought a very nice original condition field grade 12 gauge Winchester 21 for about $2,700 to round out my Winchester accumulation: Model 70 rifle, Model 97 riot gun and Model 21 SXS.
But that Model 21 scratched my itch for a vintage SXS, and I cannot see myself paying upwards of $3,000 for any vintage double, especially in a falling market with no bottom in sight.
On the other hand, two years ago I was delighted to spend just under $400 for a magnificent Remington 17:
and last week I got an excellent 20. gauge Remington 31 for the princely sum of $690.
