doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Seeking advice on my first English Double SXS

I will echo a few others and recommend a nice british boxlock gun. Some very lightweight twelves were built between the wars and these can be had for considerably less than 15 grand. You'll have plenty of cartridge money left over. I have owned a Thomas Stensby medium grade boxlock, built on a Webley action, for 30 years. 6 lbs, 2 ozs with 27 inch barrels choked IC/Mod. I'm sure you could find something similiar and have it bent to fit from guys like Toby and Dig. Provincial boxlocks built on name actions are a bargain, but if Dig keeps writing about them, not for long!

Hi all, I also have no problems or issues with sleeved guns...I own a couple and they are just fine if the work is done correctly as stated by O.C. But, it seems like the OP is looking for an investment grade gun. If that's the case then sleeved bbls will take a major hit on resale. But for a shooter, hard to go wrong for either price or in most cases worry free bbls.

Also here in the states, a No Name Best gun will not bring the resale value as will a "Big" name maker. Just the market here.

Of course these are just my opinions.

Fun post BTW!

All the best!

Greg

Everyone is pointing out that for investment the value of the big names on resale but of course the price of original entry is much higher. In terms of percentage appreciation how do the second tier compare.

If I look at Rocketman's data, given that he uses a standard multiple for brand value that has remain constant for a while, it suggests that wether $100 K is invested in one gun or 20, appreciation ( or depreciation) would be the same.

In regards to the comment I should buy Japanese or Italian due to my lack of experience defeats my purpose... I have many other guns including others SXS. I really want an English gun since this has been my dream and it�s a treat for turning 50 and having a successful business. I agree some of the Italian guns are beautiful and I know they are well made, but I have experienced them.. I want the thrill of owning one of the legendary English guns.. Moreover, they appreciate in value� Obviously many of you have felt the drive that I'm feeling now to own one of these magnificent guns. Again, thanks for every bit of advice, it�s really appreciated... I have learned an immense amount from joining this forum in the last 24 hrs, and hope to learn even more.. you are a knowledgeable group...

Here is an example of a gun i was considering, but got cold feet on: Purdey SXS not all original

Ok ~ let me know your honest thoughts?

Keep looking and do not get impatient. Take some time and educate yourself. There are bargains out there, just not a lot of them and they do not always show up where you expect them. Make sure you have an inspection period and get the gun to a qualified double gun Smith who can go over it for you and give you impartial information regarding the guns current condition. Believe me, this quest you are on is something I understand. After years of wanting, I finally took the plunge a few years go on a nice H&H royal and could not be happier with it. When I saw it I knew it was the gun for me and hesitation would have cost me dearly.When I went to pick it up the retailer told me that several people were on the waiting list should I decline the purchase. I'm glad I jumped on it. May your search and the gun itself bring you much happiness. Here is the Holland. Apologizes to the rest of the board, they have seen it before.

That Purdey was a good one to pass on. Nipped barrels and thin walls for starters.

Your H&H is fantastic... Congrats... I hope my quest ends like yours..

See? Steve is right on. A good gun to pass.
Auctions are a minefield for the unwary. Buy from a reputable dealer like Dig Hadoke, for example, and he will stand behind what he sells.
Or, buy from the listers on this board subject to gunsmith inspection.
I'd go the latter route if it was me.
As has been mentioned a Webley 700 is always a good buy

I'd really suggest you look at Toby Barclay's website.

http://heritageguns.co.uk

The Carolina Vintagers have been dealing with Toby for about 8 years. Most of us have at least one of Toby's guns. I have 3.

Toby does a quality restoration of guns that retail in the 5-12k range. Toby has quite a few cased guns. The case may not make the gun more valuable, but when you go to sell, it makes it more saleable. He has modern guns in stock in the UK that will require a importer to be involved. Toby has some inventory here in the US. Those guns are noted on the website.

Guns by Stephen Grant, Holland and Lang are either in stock or in the works. He tries to keep his inventory dateable as US antique (pre-1898) to make purchasing easier for US buyers.

Diggory Haddock works in the same market space as Toby. I haven't had any dealings with him yet. I did just read his book and enjoyed it. Digg has guns in Houston at a shop that just opened last weekend. I don't know if there is a website.

The next big show to view nice doubles, if you are not going to the Fall Southern SxS this weekend, is the Antique Arms Show in Vegas this Jan. Toby will have a booth. There will be plenty of guns in your price range to view.

Joe