CalgaryBill;
Both you and I agree that they are magnificent guns and I would I would like to own them as the Purdey island lock hammer ejector has always been a goal of ownership for me. Since the downturn of enthusiasm for vintage double guns starting several years ago "opportunities" to sale and purchase guns like this have incurred some "rainy days". These ejector hammer guns are in the ranks of English gun types and vintage that REAL collectors go after, if they meet certain rigid criteria. Unfortunately these guns do not meet two of the most important collector's criteria of Purdey island lock hammer guns: original barrels and ejector system that are original to the gun. Even with that problem they are still guns that I would covet. Considering these two negative issues and the issues of entire British people's attention to the medical conundrum issues at hand in the country, the final "hammer" price may not meet expectations. Holt's may be better off postponing the entire auction. Of course having said this, I do not know what will occur in the remote bidding that Holt's usually has if the sale goes forward on the day as current expected--this is an important unknown issue as many/most serious collectors do not personally attend the auctions.
