doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com lack of damascus

Auctions often reflect what is not selling more than what is selling. Dealers who have guns that they can sell easily for top dollar or pound in this case are not going to send them to auction. In the recent past that was hammer guns, ten bores, damascus doubles and low end doubles plus beaters and parts guns.

Notice how the quality of guns is up over the last few years to more mid range to top range guns. Also many more modern O/U are hitting the auctions. So I suspect a resurgence in interest in damacus barrels. Remember they never had the stigma attached to them over there that we have had over here. No terse warning on every box of ammo for 75 years telling every shooter that damascus barrels may be unsafe. Taste change and then go back to what was quality before the change.

Until Justin makes a survey underneath a statistically significant number of British beds and within gun cabinets, we are all just giving opinions based on observations rather than facts; opinions with which I agree. Taste, perceived quality, desirability are subjective, as was my original (apparently obtuse) point. Current value, however, can be determined based on price realized. Values are also likely to change, especially in the uncertain U.S. and world economy. Irrigated farmland will remain a better investment than damascus barrel shotguns

P.S. Spoke to Paul Stevens the other day and his shop is refinishing about 100 barrels per month; didn't ask damascus vs. newfangeled stuff. My opinion is that there are still lots of nice damascus guns in England.

I have no doubt there are many damascus SxSs out there, they didn't just evaporate. I believe the effort & workmanship is being "appreciated" anew and the owners are getting more reluctant to part with the ones they have even if they fail proof / God forbid JABCs just to have an example(s). Myself included. --- John Can.