Hello to all!
As you can tell by the date I joined this BBS, I am a longtime lurker and an avis raris when it comes to a person who posts. I chime in when I feel I have something to contribute, but when it comes to classic guns I feel many of you here are light years ahead of me. I have been shooting doubleguns almost 20 years and I recently I realized that the time for me has come to find a nice American double. All these years, I have been shooting either Spanish or Italian doubles --which I like a lot. I am not completely new to American doubles, I did own a early A.H. Fox AE that had a straight grip that I thought was original (as told when I bought it). Turned out I was wrong. I thought I had asked all the right questions, but apparently I missed something. I also later learned that the colors most likely had been touched up with a torch. I had bought this gun from a supposedly "reputable" dealer who should have known that the grip was not original and the colors were torched, but he never mentioned a word. Part of paying my dues? I don't know. But by luck, I was able to disclose both these facts and still sell it for about what I paid for it and not take a huge loss. As a result, I am still a bit nervous about making a similar mistake again.
In any case, once again I have decided to look for my first American SxS. I am considering Parkers, Foxes, Lefevers, Elsies, or perhaps an Ithaca. I would like a straight grip gun, but am willing to settle for a semi-pistol grip. I am looking for a gun w/28" or 30" damascus barrels (I reload) and I shoot a 14 5/8 LOP. I am looking to spend up to $2000. I am not sure if I should buy a project gun for several hundred dollars (I can refinish and checker myself) or if I should buy something finished.
What do you guys suggest? Any particular maker? Where should I start?
Thanks in advance,
Last edited by David Dabaco; 01/09/09 08:26 PM.
