I was bidding on the same gun. Dropped out at 2k. My budget too often requires me to be more restrained than my wife thinks I am. Been looking for a nice thumb opener for a while. Most are very worn or very tired. Most hammerguns are approaching 125-150 years so few remain in anything like the shape I wish for. You can ignore many minor things until you realize that they all add up to major money to put right. Be easier if you have no interest in shooting these old guns. Thin barrels never are a risk on the wall.
Might be time to pay attention to other makers using the same opening system. I have seen a few of them, going for more reasonable prices. Sometimes you get caught up bidding on a gun bidders who are bidding on both the gun and the name. They will go higher if they value the combo more than you value just the gun. Still like to try and someday Ill get lucky again.
