doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com The gun you let go, or that slipped away...

On every gun forum there are two reoccuring things that haunt the gun collector.
1) Finding that great gun at a great price, but letting it slip away for some reason.
2) Having a great gun, and selling it in a moment of stupidity.

Seems like everyday here someone brings up one of the above two senarios. So lets hear about the one that got away. Maybe this can heal some hearts.

I'll go first. Fox SW, 16 ga. got it for around $550, very nice little gun, decided I should sell it and make a little money. Wish I had it back. I still have a 16 SW, but having two would be nice!

I can't wait for Larry Brown to chime in...

I sold a Beretta BL-6 20ga. that was virtually new. One little mark on the stock.

I didn't buy a W.and C. Scott boxlock at Cabella's in Kansas City that was just beautiful. Full coverage engraveing,straight stock and very handsome Damascus barrels. The price was 2500.00 and I let it go. It felt wonderful in your hands. I regret this one more than the BL-6.

Gordon

how about pissed that the seller was such an ass? I imported a grant side-lever hammerless sidelock, over 15" of lop and original heel and toe clips. The seller took nearly 6 months to ship and blatently lied about one aspect of the guns condition. I was pissed and shipped it back. I NEVER should have done that...oh yeah the price? 3200$ dumb, dumb, dumb
Steve

Not a sxs, but I came across a cased 30-40 Krag sporting rifle by Griffin and Howe on Gunbroker no less. The buy it price was $475.00. I will never forget that rifle or my stupidity. It was gone in seconds.

A very nice French guild gun. 16 ga. I was in need of cash after our move and stupidly sold it for $275.00. At least the guy I sold it to has become a good friend and I have offered to buy it back. He keeps saying "someday"

Looking in some pawn shops for a 375 H&H in Anchorage, a buddie told me I had to check out a Beretta double this one shop had. Not sure the model, but a pristine boxlock 20 gauge for $300.00. Handled it-it was sweet, but not what I was looking for at the time. Hindsight!

Mine would be a 1929 Francotte Pigeon Gun..32"bbls, raised vent rib.
I guess there's a good reason I don't have it, I couldn't shoot it...but....
When I first signed on back on the old board..I sent Bill Wise an E mail to introduce myself, as he seemed like a real gent & a man you'd want to hang with.We exchanged a couple of mails, I mentioned I was looking for my first vintage SxS suitable for clays.... & he said he might have "something"....so I bougt my first Gun from Sir Bill.
It was in incredible nick...pristine comes to mind...but at 8 1/2lbs it was too much for me to handle very well.
With Bills recent & sad passing, I have thought about that big gun alot lately.
We kept in touch with the odd e mail since then.
But I sold it to buy a 7 1/2 pound gun.
I wish I had had the cash just to let it hang around & look pretty.
I remember Abe Chaber was impressed, & I don't believe he'd seen one with a raised vent rib...or at least i remember he was sceptical about the ribs originality 'till he saw it.
Yes..I'd like that one back alright:(
franc

Mine would be about 16 years ago, Clay shooter Gary Phillips was short of cash and offered me a presentation Browning Black Duck he had won from Ducks Unlimited, asking price was £2000 and I had the cash in my pocket as I handled the gun, it came up good, was beautiful, and he said I could take it away, try it and pay him later.I declined as I had enough guns!!!!!!!!! This stupid ass has bought an average of one gun a year since but never one like that. It really hurts when I see Browning superposed advertised for sale nowadays especially the better grades with special engraving.

A cased set of British doubles around 15 years ago for under $1,000. I don't remember the maker but they were Birmingham guns with decent engraving and wood. I didn't buy them because they were damascus!
Jim