doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Hi folks

Greetings folks....just a quick post to say I have re-joined the Forum after a l-o-n-g absence.
Many fond memories from the earliest days of the BBS and the apparent loss of some wonderful members in the interim.
In particular I would like to mention Bill Wise with whom I shared a love of pre WW1 Brit Live Bird guns, and Bill had some of the best extant, but it was his amazing attitude to life that made a special place in my world. I have a permanent injury but after spending time with Bill, I never felt sorry for myself again.

As Prentice Brothers,we never sold a lot of guns because I was very fussy. Too particular really for my own good. But we sold some highly desirable live bird guns and rare big game rifles to the USA in yrs gone by, from coast to coast, but mainly on the East Coast and to Texas. Originality was/is my priority. We were the first internet dealers to use large format, high detail, macro images, and we offered independent appraisals from a retired London gunsmith. We had very loyal customers as a result. Hope many of you will write to me soon.

However, these days there are very few lovely original guns left 'downunder' as over-zealous owners listened to all too many 'knowledgable' repairers who wanted as much work as they could get to appease the bank.
On another score, the high exchange rate means the days of inexpensive bargains from this part of the world are all but gone for you blokes. In fact the tables are slowly turning the other way, with fine guns returning in small numbers back here. Having said that, despite our two countries being the closest of Allies, the legalities and paperwork mean most export and import is long and involved and expensive.
As a result I am just an onlooker these days.

I still have yet to get there for my life long wish of an Autumn/Fall upland bird (mixed) hunt, but it will happen one year soon. I remember well the fantastic information and ideas sent to me in the 1999-2004 and no doubt things have changed since then. Got a visit down here years ago by Steve Bertram and am thrilled to see he turned his dream into reality...he has the passion thats for sure. Lost track of my business associate Dusty Erickson from Arizona, (any idea where he went). Lost everyones emails when hacked and changed inet providers since then. One of good customers in Texas, Carter Schillig tells he's still flying down to Argentina and other Sth American countries to wear out barrels on doves etc. Jeff Slater from Bethpage in NY..where are you Jeff. Guadalajara into live birds? Do they even still shoot there?
Any live bird comp's still in PA? Must be close to folding surely...but hope not, can someone let me know please.

Am very happy to hear from customers and friends from the heady days of the past and hope I am still welcome amongst all of you. If I am slow replying, it is because I am nearly ten years older, with ten years of arthritis slowling my 'good' arm..so, pls be gentle on me with the keyboard.
My GSP, 'Maverick' is now 12yo...born in the wrong time in this country thats for sure. We have no quail season and no duck season in the States closest to me. Sad but true.

Hope everyone is using their old guns, but remember we are just custodians for the next generations of owners.

Peter Prentice
Gold Coast, Australia.

Peter
I remember you, although you probably don't remember me. I still have e-mails from you regarding my search for a paradox with your advice and philosophy and I refer to it periodically. Have you been well? Do you have an e-mail address? I heard Dusty was working for Cabelas? in AZ.

yes sorry PM ..from memory you have an Italian origin name but I cant recall it. Maybe I referred you to Frank Findelow who bought some extrodinary bore rifles from here in the 1980's....and I think you were talking to W.David Powell at the timehe had some top shelf bore rifles. (?)
Health? Well body been wrecked many moons but mind is sharper as a pin still thanks mate. Dusty went into hardware I believe.
I would be delighted to get an email from you: prenticegoldcoast@ozemail.com.au

Peter,
Do you still export or know anyone willing to do the paper work in OZ?
Cheers,
Laurie

Good question Laurie.
I dont do it anymore.
Would you believe it is more difficult to export than import here now!! And if the item is a Boer War Martini or an Enfield or such, it wont be allowed to leave under a Historical Significance rule.
Worst is the Australia Post , the gov't postal service and our only postal service wont allow firearms to be sent overseas thru their system anymore, at least not by air anyway, and ship is just out of the equation imho. That means using a shipping agent wo runs an account with UPS/DHL or other major freigt company, maybe even Fedex (?) ..BUT... the costs are 3 times greater than in the past. Additional, no matter the tyope of gun/rifle it must be sent by a registred exporter who is lkicenced to the Federal Gov't and approved by the Defence Dep't...nothing that cant be had of course, but.those approved exporter want serious money to handle a firearm. That means the value of the item must necessarily be high or the item rare enough to warrant the expense and to be able to absorb the expense in its landed state.
Most rifles need to be taken apart too, as they exceed parcel maximum lengths these days. I have a lovely Rigby 350 Farquharson for sale here, that itself will present some problems with export, so send me an email with descriptin of the item, and I'll get some idea of costings done for both of us.
Pete

Pete,
I will try sending a PM with my edress so we don't clog up the board.
Cheers,
Laurie