The model I use was developed from watching the market, especially auctions. It seems to apply to Brit and Continental SXS of 12 gauge (1890ish to 1960ish), wood and engraving typical for the grade of gun, and retail in USA. Extra finish, small bore, O/U, and double rifle command premiums. It is generally good for about plus/minus 10%, but don't try to make it gospel - it is a guide.
The organization is a 3-D set of pigeon holes - think of a Rubic's Cube with a 9 X 9 face and five layers deep. The face of each layer is nine Original Quality grades (OQ) by nine Current Condition levels (CC). Each layer is for a Brand Value level (BV).
The codes.
Brand Value (BV) = the price value added to a gun by the presence of a maker's name or lack thereof. BV1 = a mutiplier of eight and is composed of Boss, H&H, Purdey, and Woodward. There are 17 Brit makers in BV2 and the multiplier is six. BV3 includes the rest of the Brit makers and well known and highly reguarded Continental makers; the multiplier is four. Continental makers of recognized name generally fit to BV4 and have a multiplier of two. No-name or unrecognized name usually fit to BV5 and have a multiplier of one.
Original Quality (OQ) is independent of the make's name. If you learn nothing else, learn this, please. There are nine OQ grades from best SLE to colonial/farmer BLNE with a range of just over 20X. The grades I use are based on SL vs BL, ejector vs extractor, amount of engraving, quality of the wood, and fit and finish. With some practice, they are generic enough to be used with simple photos and descriptions. The foundation principle is that Brit and Continental guns are honest in correlation of appearance to quality.
Current Condition (CC) level is just that. There are nine levels with a value range of just over 20X. The range is pristine (CC1) to wallhanger (CC9). Again, the descriptions are simple, but require some observation and practice.
Anyone who runs Excel and wants the file is welcome. PM me an email address and I'll send it along. Anyone who doesn't run Excel and wants a copy should send me a land address and I'll send hard copy.
This model is no substitute for personal sutdy and observation. However, it can jump start your understanding by organizing the material into descrete segments and areas of study. For those who have handled enough guns and studied enough, the answers as to value are intuitive. That is good. For me, an organized approach helps me learn faster; and I need all the help I can get. When shopping for a gun, looking up a proposed price range for a candidate is a good "grounding" exercise; prices determined in the dispassion of study, not in the heat of a gun buy. Also, I find it very useful to look up the required OQ and CC to meet a posted price and asking myself if the gun meets those requirements.
Last edited by Rocketman; 02/28/07 09:41 AM.
