I've bought a hundred or so through the auction houses over the last 5 years. Bonhams, Christies and Gavin Garnier are quite trustworthy. You may have to ask specific questions but the answers will be honest. Holt's will not devulge many major faults even when asked.
The following photos are of a Purdey that I bought a couple of years ago and are typical of Holt's. The photos provided to me before the auction did not show anything amiss. These are my photos upon receipt. When I asked Holt's for a refund I was told that "They were not required to state all problems with a gun", and that they would not refund any money. Having said this I still buy from them but I bid as if the gun is cr@p. That way I'm not suprised. I also still win a few this way; i.e. the Ribgy .275 that I just bought. I expect it to be much worse than the photos provided to me, which I had to ask for 3 times beginning 3 weeks before the auction. With Holt's it's really buyer beware.
If this needs to be deleted because of bad mouthing feel free.
