"Did the bidders possibly think the Owen was a fake?"
Eightbore: I was not convinced it was a fake but the barrel was only marked with his name. The Owen rifles I own and have owned, all had a second address line of some type. However I seemed to remember seeing some authenticated guns in the past, that were marked with only his name. The deciding factors for me [had I bid], would have been twofold. 1. Unadorned and somewhat "plain Jane" Owen rifles have not been bringing more than the $2200 to $2800, on sight unseen and no return auctions lately. 2. As I said earlier, one of the hardest lessons I had to learn AS A MODEST COLLECTOR was, "BUY THE BEST GUN YOU CAN, AT THE BEST PRICE YOU CAN". My earlier answer was not an attempt to brag but was merely to show that, if you are lucky and blessed, to have the money to spend and that is a big if! The rifle I bought, though it cost double what this one went for, I believe mine was really a better buy. Especially given it had extensive Arnold Griebel engraving [Mountain Sheep scene with French Gray Silver contrast floorplate and full action [rose and scroll] coverage, French Walnut w/ better checkering, G&H mount and a better scope. It also was an estate piece, that had hardly been used, handled or fired, since it was made in 1947. I believe the recent gun, WAS A BARGAIN but only by approx. $700. The thing to remember however is, this will always be a beautiful, well made, crafted, work of art by Owen, but it will also, always be a somewhat entry level, modest rifle. Don't fall into the trap of just buying the "name", there has to be substance behind it, especially when you start paying large sums, for these guns. JMHO Jerry
